By now, we will have found out about our new Associate Pastor. This is an exciting time for the congregation and the ministry for Christ, Faith Lutheran Church, and the Southwest Florida community.

It reminds me of Samuel 16:6-13

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

Throughout the call process, the committee has gone through 38 different names of pastors. It reminds me of Jesse when he said: “There is still the youngest and He is tending the sheep” We had pastors ranging in age from 25 -55 that the Call committee reviewed, interviewed, and prayerfully considered.

Did we choose a pastor based on his experience? Or because we like the sermon that he had posted online? Or because he is the oldest or the youngest? Or because like David “….glowing with health and….a fine appearance…” All those elements might play into our decision-making, but will they show us God’s will? We went to worship, prayer, and especially God’s Word to seek His Will for Faith.

For unlike the days of Samuel, we don’t hear God’s voice as the prophets did, but like Samuel, we had the Leaders, Staff, and Members of Faith Lutheran Church in daily conversation with God through prayer asking for wisdom and inspiration so that we choose the one God has already chosen.

By the time you read this we will know if we have a new pastor but as we prepare it is good to be in prayer:

We know that the man called by Faith Lutheran will be blessed by You and we will be blessed by him as he preaches and teaches Your Word, administers Your sacraments, visits the sick and leads our congregation in this community. Help us remember Your words that “The Lord does not look at the things people look at…but the Lord looks at the heart.” We pray these things in the name of Jesus, the Christ, Your Son, and our Savior as we thank You for the Holy Spirit who guides us in these decisions.

Blessings in the Risen Christ,

Pastor Don Treglown

If Jesus Came To Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two-
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,
And all the food you'd serveto Him would bethe very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there -
That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.
But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched ni welcome to your heav'nly Visitor?
Or would youhave to change your clothes before you let Him in,
Or hide somemagazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard,
And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud, hasty word?
Would you hide your worldlymusic and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder-if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you keep right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day today?
Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace,
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books youread
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you ev'rywhere you'd planned ot go,
Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends,
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad tohave Him stay forever on and on,
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.

by Lois Blanchard