The Carpenter's Corner
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February 2023
Is Your Faith Adding Up?
It has been said, "nothing fails like success." In other words, when a challenge in life is met by a response that is equal to it, you have success. But when that challenge moves higher, the old, once successful response no longer works - it fails. Thus, nothing fails like success. We should not be discouraged when a solution that once worked now fails. This is what spurs us to continue pursuing solutions for the challenges we face. What about Sprituality? Are we pursuing growth in our walk with God or growing stagnant? 2 Peter 1:5-8 gives us a spritual growth track and a call to action: "5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness...
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January 2023
Winter is Here!
Seeing the landscape covered in pure white snow is breathtaking! What is the purpose of snow? What is the purpose of the winter season? In Isaiah 55: 10-11, we are reminded that the rain and snow are sent from heaven to water the earth for the purpose of providing moisture for seeds to grow. The ground produces grain that we make into bread (food) which we eat and gain strength. In the same way, God's Word (the Bible) is given to us to produce growth and fruit in our lives as well. Winter can be a lonely time with long evenings and cold and dreary days. Spiritually, there are times when it seems like we are going through a "winter" season. The Bible is there for us to read, "So shall my word that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in...
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December 2022
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1.
In this life, the hands of the clock never stop as time continues moving us onward. It wasn’t long ago that we were in the heat of summer and then transitioned into the Fall season, and now we are on the cusp of Winter!
There are many different “life” seasons of time that we go through, which we can read about in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Whether this finds you in a time of mourning, or a time of dancing, may you find the courage and strength that Paul writes about in Philippians 4:12-13; I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
So, finally, when you conclude the last season of...
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November 2022
"...that they may teach the young..." Titus 2:4.
The context of this verse is for the older women to teach the young women. The Bible is filled with reminders to honor and value our older generations. It is no mistake that God placed "Honor Thy Father and Mother" as commandment #5 and then attached a promise for those who do it! Today much of the "seeking of advice" happens as an internet search or a social media scan. Though many of the younger authors are excellent at presenting info, there are just some things that can not take the place of the rich life experiences of our elders! We can be confident that if our elders are willing to share their experiences (mistakes and all) and the younger generation is being intentional to seek out their elders' input, we will all make God smile as we fulfill His commands!
- Rex Blevins, PaulB Retail District Manager...
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October 2022
Titus 2:10 reads, "...that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Nowadays we don't typically use words like "embellishment" or "adorn", yet I think most of us understand what those words mean. Growing up I would have said words like "dressed up", "done up" or "fancy" to describe someone or something that was really decorated above what was seen as normal. God is encouraging us to "adorn" the truth of God with our good deeds and attitudes....to really dress it up! Imagine the impact of The Good News being lived out by good people! Next time we are getting ready for work or church, let's remember to think about how we can continue to add our contribution of adorning God's good news with our life's deeds. The world needs more fancy Christians like this...wouldn't you agree?
- Rex Blevins, PaulB Retail District Manager...
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September 2022
There is much concern about the freedoms we enjoy, and many advocate groups are trying to protect our freedom of speech, choice of parenthood, voting rights and many other rights they think we should have. These freedoms that are affected by the situations around us, only bring short term pleasures to do as we please. True freedom only comes through Jesus Christ and the blood He shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and is not affected by the situations around us. Jesus has promised to give us this true freedom that no one can take away from us. Jesus said If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. May we daily serve the Lord in all we do and experience this true freedom.
– Ernie Zimmerman, Lititz Ag Parts & Industrial Associate...