Christmas Greetings Everyone!!

I pray this finds many of you still basking in the celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!!  And I really cannot believe 2012 is right around the corner!

So, I am hoping that the title got your attention.   I can't help but wonder how many of you finished the title with the word "money."  "Show me the money!!" is likely one of the most quoted movie lines in recent years from  the movie Jerry Macguire.  The movie's name sake is a high-priced sports agent modeled after the likes of Leigh Steinberg and Scott Boras. 

Now, in case you are wondering what does "Jerry Macguire" have to do with Pastor B's blog?  Here it is: On Thursday, December 8th Albert Pujols signed a 10-year, $254 MILLION dollar contract with the Angels. It is a large contract that is also loaded with incentives for hitting certain milestones.

Now, I will be the first to admit that I cannot fault Albert for following the money.  We live in a free-market economy - at least for now - and if a team such as the Angels can afford to pay Albert $254 million-plus  over the next 10+ years, more power to them.  And Albert has the freedom to sell his services to the highest bidder - which he clearly did.

The issue that many of us Cardinal Fans have is this......Albert flat out betrayed Cardinal Nation.  Over the course of his career, and especially since  February 2009, he had made it clear that - and I am paraphrasing here - "It's NOT about the money,"  "It's about competing," and "I want to retire a Cardinal."    He is on the record as making those type of statements on more than one occasion.    And that is where the betrayal comes in.   If  Albert had been up front and honest from the beginning,  I don't think so many people - including myself - would care that he moved on.  But he has shown his true colors.  It is not about loyalty and keeping one's word, its all about the money!!

Now, in case you are wondering, this is where the "theological" twist comes in:  We just celebrated the Birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.  Unlike Albert Pujols,  our good & gracious God does in fact keep His Word!  After we fell into sin God promised us a  Messiah way back in the third chapter of Genesis.   And in the birth, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, God kept His Word to us.   

And He continues to fulfill His promises to us each and every day! In Matthew 28 He promised, "...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   And you know what?  He is still with us...probably the best illustration of this is to see and experience this firsthand each and every Sunday here at Trinity as Jesus continues to come to us physically in His Body & Blood for the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of the eternal life that we have through the person and work of that baby whose birth we just celebrated!!

So, the next time you get disappointed that someone - anyone - does not keep their word, rest assured that there is someone who does, in fact, keep His Word!

Take care, God's Blessings, and have a Safe & Happy New Year!!

Humbly Serving as Trinity's Pastor,
Pastor B

Dear Fellow Redeemed in Christ -

Just a brief note to wish each and every one of you a very Blessed & Merry Christmas!!  

I plan to have another blog entry before the end of the year!  I had a much longer Christmas one almost finished.....but it disappeard just a couple of minutes ago!  UGGHH!!    Oh well......

I pray that you take the time to spend with friends, family, and loved ones tonight and tomorrow as we celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ who took on human flesh to earn for us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven with Him!

I have included part of the Christmas Story from Luke 2 (KJV) for your reading enjoyment:

     "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

                  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Pastor B

Greetings Everyone!!

I pray that this blog finds you well during this Advent Season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

Well,  after a somewhat long layoff  I'm back "Blogging."  In looking back, I cannot believe it has been two months since my last blog entry, and simply cannot help but wonder where the time went!   I wish I could attribute it to the old adage, "time flies when you are having fun."  But unfortunately, I cannot.   I have held off posting anything because I wanted to make sure I was in the right frame of mind.  I say this because this past Spring I was criticized - and mildly "reprimanded" - for something that I posted on this blog, and in light of more recent events I am trying to be extra sensitive to what I "blog" about. 

Well, after the events of the last couple of days, I am happy to report, things are back on the upswing!   And one of the big reasons I am say this is because  earlier this evening I had the privilege to schedule baptisms # 12, 13, 14 & 15  for this coming Friday!  That's right!  This will be our 2nd straight year of double-digit baptisms!   WOOHOO!  And it will be the 2nd time in recent weeks that I have had the privilege to baptize an entire family!   

Anyway, I will not bore you any longer .     Just thought you might like some good news! 

God's Richest Blessings to you all during the remainder of this Advent Season!  And I hope to be back blogging before the end of the year!

Humbly Serving Christ & His Church,

Pastor B

Greetings Everyone -

A wise old Pastor once told me that there is never a dull moment when you are serving our Lord and His Church.   The past few days have once again shown that to be ever so true.

By now many of you have likely heard that about 8:00 a.m.  an armed gentleman, that was high on drugs, broke into our school.  Best estimates - according to various sources - tell us that he was in the school somewhere between at least five minutes to no more than fifteen minutes.   The only damage was to the door that he actually broke into, and one other interior door, both which were fixed by Sunday afternoon.    The suspect was also quickly apprehended, well before noon on Sunday.   The sad news is that many people did not have the opportunity to worship, or hear God's Word through our radio broadcast, due to the necessity of having to cancel the Divine Service because of safety and security issues.   However the great news is that no one was hurt, and that school was able to open on Monday morning like nothing ever happened.

Since this all took place, many of us have spent alot of time answering questions from fellow church members, friends and loved one, and the news media.    As I learned in the days after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav,  there are simply some things that the Seminary cannot prepare us for....and this one certainly one of them.  However, on a personal note, I must admit that my Bachelors Degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice (Pre-Law), and my experience in Law Enforcement before attending the Seminary, all came in quite handy this past Sunday!

If you have any questions or concerns about what happened this past Sunday, please let me know, I would be more than happy to discuss any questions or concerns that you might have regarding the events of this past Sunday!

We thank God that no one was hurt this past Sunday, and we ask our gracious and loving God to forgive the individual who broke into our school, and grant to him an extra measure of His mercy.

Take care and God's Blessings!   I look forward to seeing you all in church this coming Sunday!!

Humbly Service Christ & His Church,
Pastor B

Greeting Everyone -

     I am sure that many of you have noticed that I have an affection for numbers & dates, historical facts & figures.   For those regular blog-followers, you likely noticed that the 10th Anniversary of my Ordination into the Holy Ministry occured back in August.  Well, here we are in October, I am glad to report that I am looking at the 3rd anniversary of my Installation as Trinity's 12th Pastor.     Time has truly flown by - and alot has changed!  But, here we are, still going strong.   I know their have been mistakes made, but that is how relationships strengthen & grow.....we all make mistakes (after all it takes two-to-tango)....but we forgive one another, learn from them, and move on together. 

      Even with the ups-and-downs of the last three years, I truly hope & wish that we can all learn to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us, and move forward together.  Looking back - at the big picture - I have truly enjoyed my time here, and have learned ALOT!  And I pray that I have the opportunity to put what I have learned into practice here at Trinity well into the future, but as many of us know from first hand experience, we are not the one's in control of that .

      Take care, God's Blessings, and am looking forward to seeing all you in church tomorrow .

Gladly Serving,
Pastor B