getting ready
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Everyday is a day that can change our lives forever. That is how we have been living and thinking with our baby coming. When you think about it, that is how we should live everyday. That our lives could change forever because of what God is doing in them. This is one thing that I am constantly thinking of - what is God doing in your life lately? If God isn't doing something in your life lately, there might be some sort of disconnect. I am not necessarily talking about he is calling you to move to CA or anything, but He does speak to us on a regular basis through His Word, through people and just in that still, small voice. So with all this said ......
- What is God doing in you?
- What is God speaking to you about?
- Are there any changes you need to make?
posted by Pastor Potter @ 2:37 PM,
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kidney stone
Monday, July 13, 2009
So I woke up from a deep sleep at around 12 last night and I was in a great deal of pain, almost doubled-over. I had no clue what was wrong with me other than I was in pain and it hurt. I woke my wife up and she got online and correctly diagnosed me again (appendix back in march) with kidney stones. I could not get comfortable at all. I started throwing up often, I was going from cold to hot instantly and did I mention it hurt really bad. My appendix hurt when you pushed on it, but if you left it alone it wasn't that painful. This was different. After 3 hours of immense pain and puking over 10 times we decided to go to the hospital. I was able to go to the bathroom and they could tell from my sample that something was wrong. They did a couple x-rays and came and told me that I had one kidney stone about 2 mm big. Now that doesn't seem like much at all, but some people (not me, but others) compare it to a labor pain. I don't know if it's true or not, but I do know this. My respect factor for my wife and what is going to happen in the next few weeks with her delivering a baby has gone up big time.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 12:32 PM,
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dreary day
Friday, July 10, 2009
Today reminds me a little of the 4th of July. Very cloudy and dreary. I haven't done much at all today. Melissa is getting all of Alora's clothes washed and put away. We won't have many of these days going forward, so I am taking advantage of them. I was lucky enough to get my sermon all done yesterday and I am ready to go for Sunday.
It's days like this when you don't really want to do anything or feel like getting outside that you don't really think anything is going on, just like those dark or dreary times in our lives when we don't feel like God is doing very much, yet so much is happening. I still remember Melissa's message about those hidden times in our lives when we don't think much is going on, but God is ultimately shaping things. It was a great message. If you didn't listen to it, click here.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 1:49 PM,
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back at it
Thursday, July 09, 2009
So I am running full steam into the second half of the year. I have only spoken 2 times on Sundays in the last 6 weeks. That is very hard for someone who is used to speaking every week. I have thoroughly enjoyed the messages by my wife Melissa, Bob and Barb Van Wyk and Johnny Helton from Sioux City. I have been greatly refreshed and encouraged. We are beginning a new sermon series this weekend and it will take us through the next several months. We are going through the Sermon on the Mount. I am so excited for what God is going to teach us and challenge us with over the next several months. God is great and greatly to be praised. His praise shall forever be on my lips.
God is going to do great things in us, through us and to us.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 12:43 PM,
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mini-vacation recap
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
So we headed up for Sioux City last Thursday. We got there and immediately took a nice dip in the pool. It was so relaxing. After that I was able to play in two softball games. I went 4-7 (all singles) and only 1 RBI, no errors, 5 put outs, and one assist. I had so much fun. Friday we pretty much relaxed all day. We spent some more time in the pool. Saturday, family came over and we played around most of the day. The weather made the day not very enjoyable, but we still went out to the pool. Sunday we went to church and then I watched the amazing Wimbledon match. I was rooting for Federer to break the record and he did. Sunday afternoon we relaxed some more, hit the pool again, then wrapped the night off with Nanny McPhee or however you spell her name. The kids and my father-in-law really like that movie. It was a good movie. Monday we got up and played around with the kids. We of course went swimming again and some friends came over and went swimming too. Monday night while some of Melissa's friends back home gave her a shower, I played softball again. I was 4-5 with 3 doubles and 5 rbi's. I did have one error, but made up for it on a relay throw that gunned a guy out at 3rd. I came home and I was so sore. Tuesday we woke up, got everything packed, ate lunch and came home to Clarinda. It was a great weekend with family and friends. Now back to work.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:28 AM,
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All good people go to heaven
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
I don't know how this came to be, but for some reason a lot of people think that all good people go to heaven. It doesn't matter what they have done or if they have accepted God's Word or anything of the sort. There is a common misunderstanding that everyone goes to heaven and it is not true.
John 14:6 says - Jesus said to them "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Acts 4:12 says - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Jesus is the ONLY way anyone will ever get to heaven.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:15 AM,
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shaky blogging
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
So the past week or so I have been pretty shaky on keeping up with my blog. I have not done a great job which is disappointing because I love to blog. Here is the thing: I am going out of town for a few days here at the end of the week and I probably won't be blogging very much. This week has been crazy so far and I don't anticipate it slowing down at all. With that said, I will be blogging from time to time in the next couple of weeks before I get back into my regular routine.
God is speaking to me about some things. He is revealing things to me. I am so thankful that we have a God who speaks to His people. I am so thankful that I get to do what I get to do. Although it can be very difficult, challenging and I get criticized, I love being a pastor. God has been so good to me and so faithful to me that I am overflowing with joy from Him. I love what the bible says in Psalm 31:19 - Oh, how abundant is your goodness. Rest in that thought today.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:48 AM,
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