Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2003

Grace Church of Burlington February 9, 2003 A real "Truman Story" We live in a culture where often we feel like just a number, a statistic. In the spring of 1999, USA Today carried the story of Truman Bradley, a high school senior, who was a prospective student at Arizona State University. Truman’s parents actually received this letter from the school that began: "Congratulations on 987-65-4321's admission." The letter, addressed to Truman's father, Jeff Bradley, added that as a parent "you will be a partner with the university in encouraging 987-65-4321 to succeed."             Truman Bradley’s father, not to be outdone, sent back this reply: "Thank you for offering our son, 987-65-4321, or as we affectionately refer to him around the house - 987 - a position in the ASU class of 2003. His mother, 123-45-6MOM, and I are very happy..."             None of us like to be treated as a number. I’m so thankful that Jesus Christ did not just die for the world – generally, but He also died for me, specifically... and for you, specifically. We have a God Who loves us individually and wants to meet our needs.             Some of our greatest needs are emotional needs. And God wants to meet those needs, too. Next Sunday, I will be starting a nine week series: Dealing with Feelings (please see today’s bulletin insert). Hopefully, as we work through these emotional issues that are so common, even among believers, God will use them to touch your soul.             But we are not the only ones that suffer from these emotional problems. Most of us know either someone who is dealing with one or many of these issues, or is living with someone who is. Let me encourage you to invite your friend to be your special guest as we work our way through this series. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Lord used it to bring healing in their life? Perhaps their greatest need is salvation. It would be so exciting if the Lord would use this series to open your friend’s eyes to see that their greatest need was their soul’s spiritual condition.             You and I live in a world of hurting people. They need to know that we care and more importantly, that Jesus cares. Recently, I read of a lady named Mamie. This lady made frequent trips to the branch post office.  One day she confronted a long line of people who were waiting for service from the postal clerks. Mamie only needed stamps, so a helpful observer asked, "Why don’t you use the stamp machine? You can get all the stamps you need and you won’t have to stand in line." Mamie said, "I know, but the machine can’t ask me about my arthritis." People desperately need to know that someone cares. That’s the way that God has made us.             If you have a friend who would benefit from this series, perhaps the whole series, please invite them. And if you would, please let me know that you have invited them so that I can join with you in praying for them.             I’m excited about this series. Too often people suffer needlessly. God does not always wipe away all of our pain but He will always give us the grace to deal with it. That’s what this series is about – accepting and experiencing God’s grace for those emotional issues that trouble us.