Country Preacher Gone South
We were called here to Grace Bible almost five years ago to become Pastor. A place I had dreamed about but never really believed it was possible of ministering in "Paradise", Florida. Especially growing up in the north where we had four seasons, "Frosty, Cold, Bitter Cold and Extreme Cold."
My wife, Robin, and I have been married for thirty years and in the ministry, thirty years. Those early years serving as Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor from Michigan to Wyoming to Pennsylvania back to Michigan and now here in Florida. We have one daughter, Richelle, who is finishing up her college degree in Journalism.
The ministry here at Grace Bible is a wonderful delight each day for the people are loving, caring and willing to serve together. They truly have "Discovered the Joy of the Lord."
Each month, if not sooner, we will be giving an excerpt of our ministry over the past thirty years. A country boy becoming a preacher that has gone south. As the bumper sticker on my jeep says, "I wasn't raised in the south but got here as soon as I could."
Pastor Ray Herriman
The other day I was in a Christian Bookstore, just looking as my wife was listening to background tapes, I came across a book with the title, "They Smell Like Sheep". Growing up on a farm, I remembered we had sheep. My favorite was the buck sheep that I had named "Buckie". I rode him whenever I had the chance. I also remember the sheep having a distinct smell and characteristics. My Dad said they would walk across a forty acre hay field to find a hole in the fence.
The Word of God refers to us (Christians) as sheep and Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. We are a lot like sheep, for we too go out of our way to find a hole in the fence. Many times Jesus has to come and get us, chastise out of love (Hebrews 12:5-7) to draw us back to Him.
Read the passage in John 10:7-16, you'll realize just how important you are to Jesus Christ.
Pastor Ray Herriman
"JOY"
"JOY" is the flag flown from the castle of your heart when the King is in residence.
"JOY" for our family is spending time in Mackinaw Island, Michigan. The clip-clop of horses, buzzing of 10-speed bikes, the lapping of Lake Huron, and the gusting winds fill the air (along with the distinct smell of the horses, which I'm not sure is pure joy!) The sights of the Grand Hotel, Fort Mackinaw, and the fudge shops are all magnificent.
But, one of the best finds on the island is at the Governor's Mansion. Besides immaculate and standing atop a high hill overlooking the lake there stands a flag pole. After touring and visiting over the years we learned that if the flag is being flown - the governor is staying on the island.
This little story really stuck in my mind and heart this week when I heard this saying, "JOY is the flag flown from the castle of your heart when the King is in residence." This should also be true in our lives in relation to our Lord and Savior, the King of our lives.
Carry on the Heritage
Like most kids growing up in northern Michigan, I grew up on a farm in an old farm house. Well, sort of ... When I was about 4, my parents decided that they would build a new house and move the old farm house across the road for my Uncle Franklin. This was very exciting to me because I was going to have my own room! Also, I got to watch the whole process - from foundation to roof.
As that house needed a good foundation to last through the years, a new Christian needs a good foundation on which to build his Christian life.
One way of building that firm foundation is to study the Word of God. In doing so, you learn the truth of your salvation experience, what is needed for spiritual growth, the privileges and duties of being a child of God, as well as the important truths God speaks of. This is such a wonderful heritage that has been passed on to us from our heavenly father. However, that comes with a responsibility of carrying it on to the next generation.
Just as a runner passes on the torch to the next in the Olympic Games, you must pass on the torch of God's truth, which you have received. It's up to you to take this heritage and carry on. (2 Timothy 2:1, 2)
Pastor Ray Herriman
Somewhere along the course of my Ministry, I came across a business card that said: "Free Hug Coupon - good for one hug, redeemable from any participating hugger." I took the card and had some made, it really works as attention grabber and conversation starter.
The other day I came across a little article written by Louise M. Hobson, here is what she says about hugs.
"Hugging is healthy: It helps our body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it is invigorating, it is rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.
Hugging is all natural: It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingrediants and 100% wholesome.
Hugging is practically perfect: There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic checkups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation-proof, non-fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting and, of cource, fully returnable."
So stop by our church and get your "Hug Coupon".
Pastor Ray Herriman
SWEETER THAN HONEY
Every boy looks forward to the time when he can get a part-time job and have that extra money to spend. I remember picking up golf balls at the golf range across the road, working at the corner grocery store and then at the Indian Museum in Tawas, Michigan. Later I had the opportunity helping my uncle on his sugar beet farm. Mostly it was raised for deer feed, but also for a souce of sugar.
There are two major sources of sugar; sugar cane and sugar beets. Whoever raises what kind, will tell you that their's is the sweetest. Experts tell us that they are chemically identical. After doing some more research, I found of the hundreds of different kinds of sugar, that levulose found in honey is the sweetest of all common sugars.
Maybe that's what God had intended us to discover about the Word of God when we read Psalm 19:10, "More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
Sir Charles U. Wagner said, "Why is it so sweet?" The three verses preceding Psalm 19:10 explain it well. The Word of God is precious and sweet because it (1)converts the soul, (2) makes wise the simple, (3) rejoices the heart, (4) enlightens the eyes, (5) endures forever, and because God's judgements are (6) true and (7)righteous altogether.
Anyone who tastes the sweetness of God's Word knows by experience the miracle of salvation, and fellowship with the Lord.
I encourage you to taste that which is "Sweeter than Honey".
Pastor Ray Herriman
This past week it all came back to me when I helped load up the U-haul for a woman in our Church.
Barb is moving into another chapter of her life, a new adventure. She is leaving us to go back home to be close to her family a blessing for her but a hard time for all of us. Barb was the Church Secretary for the past several years. She has been right there beside me since I came here five years ago.
Barb is godly woman who loves the Lord with all her heart, with all her soul, and with all her mind. She showed us how we ought to live in light of Christ our Savior. Barb worked in our Children's Ministry, Youth Program, and in Junior Church, and walked at a pace I had to run to keep up!
Loading the U-haul was easy letting Barb go was hard. Even so, we know we will see each other again either here or there or in the air.
Fare thee well my friend.
Pastor Ray Harriman
The Bible calls Barnabas "a good man ... full of .. .faith" (Act 11:24) although, unlike Paul, he never did the kinds of things that made him stand out He's mentioned
only three times in the book of Acts: (1) Selling his land to help finance God's work; (2) Vouching for Paul's character; (3) Giving John Mark a second chance. Barnabas didn't earn many titles, but he earned a pile of testimonies! The Bible says: "The memory of the righteous is blessed" because in God's eyes it's not what society considers important that counts.
During recognition day for college graduates a pastor stood up and said: "You don't think it now, but eventually you're going to die. When they lay you in the grave, are people going to stand around reciting the titles you earned, or talking about what a blessing you were? will you leave an obituary about how 'important' you were, or about people grieving the loss of the best friend they ever had? Titles are good, but if it comes down to a choice between a title and a testimony go for the testimony! Pharaoh had the title, Moses had the testimony. Nebuchadnezzar had the title, Daniel had the testimony, jezebel had the title, Elijah had the testimony. Pilate had the title, but Jesus had the testimony. It's easy to think write-ups in Who‘s Who are the most important thing, but it's the loving acts you do that'll be remembered." The song goes "only one life, 'twill soon be past. .. only what's done for Christ will last!"
''THE MEMORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS BLESSED."
PROVERBS 10:7 NKJV