Hello Friends, Well, I looked out my office window the other day and noticed a few things: the rain drops on my window, a few leaves on the ground, some red leaves dispersed amongst the green leaves in the trees, and a gloomy sky. I don’t know if I should be saying this or not, but I think FALL is closer than we might think. Are you ready? Not only is God’s created nature showing signs of change, but so are our homes and communities. There are Fall decorations on my doors,......

Read More

Hello Friends, Today, I simply want to inform you about something that is found outside the church. I bet at some point you have seen it. Some of you may have heard it. And some of you may have rung it before. What am I talking about? Well, I’m talking about the church bell that sits outside on a brick pedestal. I bring awareness to the church bell because recently people of the church came together to paint the bell and give it a “new life,” and it is part of the......

Read More

Hello Friends, How are you doing? The countdown has begun…. As of today, the season of Fall is only 15 days away, which means there are only 15 more days of summer. I know that probably doesn’t mean much to you since most of you are in school, but in the grand scheme of things it means a lot. For example, Fall is only 15 Days away, Halloween is only 54 days away, Thanksgiving is only 81 Days away, Winter is only 105 Days away, and Christmas is only 109 Days away.......

Read More

Hello Friends, As school gets underway, with some schools entering either their first, second, or third week, it’s important to keep all those involved in the school system–teachers, staff, school bus drivers, students, and even the parents–in our prayers. So, below are three short prayers to say throughout the school year, asking God to bless this school year and all those involved in miraculous ways. O Lord, send your Spirit upon these students and the teachers and the parents and all those involved in the school system, and fill them with your......

Read More

Hello Friends, School is in session… one week down several to go! (How many days until Christmas Vacation?!) How was your first week back to school? Are you excited to be back: to see your friends, to learn new things, and to create memories? The first week of school for me was always stressful: trying to get adjusted to a new routine, making sure I had all my school supplies, trying to remind myself of when and where my classes were, and making sure I budget enough time in between classes to......

Read More

Hello Friends, Tomorrow is the big day for some of you! IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Are you nervous? Are you excited? Do you have mixed emotions? What are you looking forward to this year? As the school year begins tomorrow, I thought we could take a few minutes and ask Jesus to bless this new school year. As we begin a new school year, we take a moment to recognize and bless our students, parents, and teachers. To the parents, grandparents, and all in this community that help to care......

Read More

Hello Friends, Well, did you go on any treasure hunts for Jesus last week after we talked about having treasure in heaven? If you did, what did you find? What did you uncover? I hope you are doing well. Only one more weekend until school officially starts! Are you ready? I always enjoyed going back-to-school shopping: filling my new backpack with fresh boxes of crayons, markers, and colored pencils, labeling and color coordinating my folders and notebooks, and making sure my new shoes were ready to go. On the first day of......

Read More

Hello Friends, Well, the countdown for school has commenced. Schools have aisles and aisles of schools supplies: markers, crayons, colored pencils, notebooks, notebook paper, folders, pencils, and so much more. Teachers are getting their classrooms ready. Registration for classes is open. And back to school gatherings are happening in many ways. I’m afraid to say this, but summer vacation is coming to a close. Soon fall will be here. What are you doing to enjoy the last few days of summer vacation? For several weeks now, we have been talking about heaven.......

Read More

Hello Friends, Today is the last Sunday of July…. The next time we meet it will be August which means that school is just around the corner. Stores are stocked with school supplies, classrooms are being put together, and people are making last minute plans to enjoy the last few days of summer vacation. I don’t know about you, but for me when August arrived it seemed like everything was moving without brakes. Are you ready for school to start? Here in Oblong, it’s not so much the month of August that......

Read More

Hello Friends, Well… IT’S FAIR WEEK!!!!! The Crawford County Fair has arrived which means… lots and lots and lots of fun! I heard there are going to be bounce houses, tractor and truck pulls, a demolition derby, go-kart racing, and even a barn yard scramble with bunnies, pigs, and goats running around waiting to be caught. And that’s not all! I heard 4-H is hosting some awesome events featuring the children’s hard-work. And that’s not all! I heard that there are going to be lemon shake-ups, cotton candy, ice cream, and tons......

Read More