From Pastor Craig

I am not a prolific blogger, and so I don’t know exactly what is appropriate for this medium. Perhaps in a future blog I can tell you about current events in our youth ministry, or current events in our denomination. I love both of those things very much, but not as much as I love my family. I think they get their own blogging category. A fellow pastor once said, “My wife and children are my clearest window into the heart of God.” I understand that sentiment perfectly. The first thing that I would say about it is that the emphasis of that sentence must by on the second “my.” For other people, especially those without children or spouses, God will give them a different window into his heart. As for me, I learn so much about God’s heart from my family.

I recently shared this story with our Pryme Tymers, and made a promise to one of them that I would record it and share it with others. I strive to get my kids outside to play often. We enjoy riding our bikes, but it is also one of the most stressful things I do in life. Miles is six and Owen is four. They are both above average bike riders, but it is still scary riding down the sidewalks of busy roads with them. We try to stay away from the busy ones, but recently we had to go to the bank. It is on 4th street. During rush hour. At the end of most bike rides, my nerves are simply frayed from being on such high alert. This day was more life sucking than others.

You should know that I don’t take such risks casually. Every time we go out, we practice the fundamentals. Looking both ways, skid marks, not crashing each other. The most important thing that we practice is “not hesitating.” Stop means stop instantly. I have discovered that with my older and more cautious child, I really had to emphasize, “When I say go, you must go. Don’t pause. Don’t wait. Don’t go slowly. Go.” When we are crossing busy four lane roads--which is unavoidable even riding to church--hesitating at an intersection is dangerous. So we have established that he can trust me, and when I say, “Go,” he obeys instantly. It is a matter of safety.

On the way to the bank, we crossed 4th street at a crosswalk, and then headed south, parallel to the road, until we crossed the canal. My desire was to get over to the side roads as soon as possible. Meanwhile, my bike was between Owen and the street, and Miles was a bike length in front of us. At our first opportunity, I barked, “Miles, turn right. Now!” Obediently, without hesitation, he looked over his left shoulder as he veered left and asked, “Which way is right Dad?”

This story would have a tragic ending if Miles had not stopped instantly when I screamed “STOP!” I am thankful that all that practice paid off. And I am left to marvel at my own oversight of not teaching him left and right before I told him to turn. Or, perhaps that incident will be the turning point for his left/right education. After all, isn’t that a common way that God teaches us? It is true in my life, that God does not wait for me to have a perfect understanding of his plan for me before he tells me to start moving. As a consequence, I may not always go the right direction. That intersection of “you didn’t teach me this part” and “danger” is frightening and humbling. But God has demonstrated his trustworthiness to me, and I know he will be there to save me when I go the wrong direction.

By personality, I am also cautious (analysis ‘til paralysis might be more accurate). I want perfect clarity before I take action. Yet, we rarely see that pattern in the Bible. Instead, God calls his people to do risky and noble things, with no certainty of the outcome. His only guarantee is that he is faithful. More and more, I hear God tell me, “Go. Stop hesitating. Just trust me, and GO!” We must take action with the information available, and trust God to provide anything else we need along the way. Paul says in Philippians 3:16, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

My boys and I will continue to do things that are a little risky. It is a great teacher. They will do the best they can with what they already have, and I will have their backs. It is the best way to live, obeying your Father, as best you know how, trusting that he has your back.

Hazel Trottman's story of membership

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with Hazel Trottman who told me a wonderful story of how she came to Faith Covenant Church and felt called by God to make it her church home. I asked if she would be willing to put her story on paper so everyone could be blessed and encouraged. So, be blessed...

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Membership at Faith Covenant Church
by Hazel Trottman

Here is my story regarding how I followed the Holy Spirit’s direction through spiritual discernment from a vision which reminded me that I must continue “in His Word and in fellowship” with God’s people.

I left my job and moved to St. Petersburg, FL to become a “Retiree” with AARP membership and considered this my election into the “Take It Easy” community. :-)
My son-in-law drove us down from New York the last weekend of January, 2001 with my earthly possessions. The 24hour drive was interesting and also tiring. After our safe arrival (thank God) and greeting the family, I proceeded to take a nap, at which time I had a strange dream which I perceived to be a vision. Here it is:

“I went out to the truck parked in the driveway, took out two suitcases and began walking up the street with one in each hand. As I walked, I was looking about and soon heard the sweet melodious sounds of a hymn coming from a 3-story building to my left. I felt joyous and followed the voices to where I climbed three flights of stairs with both suitcases in my hands. When I got to the top of the stairs and walked to the door, it was immediately opened by a Caucasian lady who asked me - “What religion are you?”. I replied - “Spiritual Baptist”. She smiled at me and said - “Ok”, then turned, leaving the door open and went back inside as the singing continued”... 

At that point I awoke with the knowledge that “my church” would not be far from home. I then got directions from my son and drove to a car wash, all the while looking about for “the church”.

On my way home I saw the Faith Covenant Church sign and immediately felt “there it is”. This is what I discerned: “FAITH” meant my faith in God, and “COVENANT” meant my covenant to serve the Lord. Then, interestingly enough, my street address began with 510 and my church address... 150.

So my dear family in the Lord, I left NY where I had more than two decades of constant fellowship with a spiritual family and, with the Holy Spirit’s direction and placement, I am continuing my life in Christian fellowship and do enjoy being with you since the 1st week of February, 2001. He is faithful and just to “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” and will continue as the “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” in spirit and in truth. !!! OUR GOD IS SO AWESOME !!!

I pray that out of God’s glorious riches He will continue to strengthen Faith Covenant Church members with power through His Spirit in our inner beings, so that Christ may continue to dwell in our hearts through faith. And I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen. {Ephesians 3:16-19}

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Hazel has faithfully served Faith Covenant Church in many ways through the years including the pastoral search committee that called me. If you don't know her, I encourage you to spend some time with her to hear more of her story. Hazel has a wonderful way of making you feel like you are special to her and loved by God. Thank you, Hazel for your story and most of all, for showing us your heart.

Pastor Rick