Pastor's Thots

Pastor Alan

2011-09-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Pastor’s Thots

Recently I wrote and article which I hope will be published in our local paper. Here’s a copy:

How do you say “I Care?”

FBC has been saying they care for quite some time. The pastor (Alan Thompson) wears a little silver pin that says “we care” but he knows this is not enough. Caring must be demonstrated. “God has been so good to us” says the pastor and so we want to share His goodness with our community.

FBC takes this literally. Recently they had a back to school drive and collected several bags and boxes full of school supplies for Alcott Elem. Sch. Regularly the Ministry of Music (Phil Wilson) goes to Alcott and volunteers with the 6 to 6 program. Members of the church have served as foster parents and some have even adopted their foster children. The first Saturday of each month the church goes on a prayer walk and prays for their community.

FBC has gone even further to say they care by cleaning their alley and painting graffiti. Recently they have taken on a commitment to have what they call a shield of prayer. This is where they agreed to pray for the people who wear a shield or badge.

FBC has consistently said “they care” through community events. They along with Set Free ministries have had antique car shows for the last two years, Halloween alternatives, Block parties, and Dia de la Nino. Along with several programs for children FBC says “we care.”

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

me

2011-07-27T11:43:00.001-07:00

I have had some of the best experiences of my life in the last two months. After 30 years of wanting and working on a doctorate degree, I finally got one. Beth and I have just spent 5 weeks with our 7 grandsons. These are great kids and we have made some memories with and for them. We had our annual family reunion. I love to see Michael’s girls get with Timothy’s boys. We all know that Madison rules the roost. I love being with my boys. Spending time with them has been such a blessing. They don’t listen to me like they used to but they are good men. I wonder how God feels? Are we what God wants us to be? Do we listen to Him like we used too? Is God satisfied with what we have become? Maybe we need to spend more time talking with Him.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor Alan

2011-06-30T20:45:00.001-07:00

This is our last night of VBS. I don’t know what the attendance is tonight but last night we had 91 kids and I think 24 workers. It has been a great week. Helping Beth with the seven grandsons during the day, trying to pastor the church, making visits, going to court for the Faulkner’s, and VBS at night has kept me a little busy. We’ve had a mission group from FBC Nashville this week. They have really helped make it all possible. There are too many people to thank individually, but since you are reading this I want you to know how appreciative I am of the mission team, kitchen crew, VBS workers, and my wife.

Last night I invited the children to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There were about 20 who raised their hands that they want to follow Jesus. it’s impossible to know how many were serious but our desire is to give the opportunity and then try to follow up. Please pray for us as we do our best and pray for these children that they will follow through.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2011-04-17T19:31:00.001-07:00

There are times life is difficult. There are times when ministry is difficult. The last four months have been that difficult time in life for me. In January Lois Ritchey one of our church members passed away. She had been sick for a while so it was kind of expected. Then in February we got an unexpected call that Beth’s uncle had passed away. After Beth got home, George Dennison another church member passed away. He had been sick for a while so it was kind of expected. About three weeks later we were driving down the road and got the phone call that Carl Ryan had passed away, another church member. Carl had just got sick so his death was not really expected. Last week Rudy Fahlbusch passed away. He too was a church member. Rudy had been sick for a while so this was kind of expected. Just a few minutes ago I received a phone call that Brother Charles Foley had passed away. Bro. Foley had left our church and moved to Visalia, CA so he wasn’t exactly a church member but he had been one for about 40 years. He had been sick for a while so his death was kind of expected. There is a lesson here. even when something is kind of expected, it’s still a difficult time. In 40 years of ministry, I’ve never had so many final farewells. So I am trying to see what God wants to teach me. 1) life is short, live it all for God, no regrets. 2) be prepared, we will all walk through the Valley of Death sometime, get your house in order. 3) don’t wait until it’s too late to say I love you or thank you. We that know Jesus are guaranteed a tomorrow, but it may not be on this side of the Jordan. Make the most of it.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Alan

2011-02-23T11:26:00.001-08:00

You know when you don’t keep up with a blog you get so far behind you don’t know what to write about. So much has happened in the last two months my mind is boggled, by the way that is what blog is all about, or at least the same letters in different order. What happens when we put letters in the wrong order? Well, we can go from on time to no time. We go from do you have an angel to do you have an angle? It gets worse when communicating in person. Sometimes our tongues get twisted and we put wrong letters in the wrong place. I was teaching one time and I had handed out scriptures for people to read so I intended to ask the reader to read the first part, well say first part five times and you might guess what came out of my mouth. I never do parts now. Clear communication is needed in marriages, churches, and neighborhoods. Misunderstanding or miscommunication can break relationships and hinder our walk with God. We need to listen carefully and speak plainly. One of my goals has been to understand more than to be understood. That’s hard for me. Let’s be patient with each other.

The rambling rev.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2011-01-22T21:28:00.001-08:00

I love to camp. Last week we had our church campout in Aqua Caliente. It was great to get away, relax, fellowship, hike, and enjoy God’s creation. There is so much I would like to say about the time in the desert. But I have to be myself and ask what did I learn? I think the highlight of the trip was a 3 mile hike to some Native American Pictographs. 1) we hiked 3 miles to see 4 or 5 drawings that we didn’t know what they were. I thought about their legacy. Some paint and drawings nobody can understand. What about our legacy? We need to leave a clear message, God so loved the world. 2) we hiked 3 miles to see where we think Native Americans worshipped. (By the way, it was up hill going and coming) what kind of effort are we willing to see where we worship? 3) their red paint has lasted for many years, what will we leave that will last?

I’m going back next year and do more exploring. Meanwhile I want to hike my neighborhood to see signs God is leaving for us.

Pastor Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2011-01-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

I wish I could make a New Year’s resolution to do better on my blog. But it probably won’t happen. I do have some goals. I wrote in my journal I want to be physically rejuvenated. I think that means I want to lose some weight and exercise more. I also plan on finishing my doctorate in two weeks. That excites me. Well, I think I will drag that out until January 31. But that’s close. I also hope to grow spiritually. I have such a long way to go. Why do we wait so late in life to get things accomplished? I pray that our church will grow numerically, in service, in faith, in knowledge of God, in the power of the Resurrection, in holiness, and in love for each other. I will do my best, will you?

Pastor Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's Thots

2010-12-03T13:09:00.001-08:00

22 days until Christmas. 28 days until 2011. This year I’ve tried to challenge you to read through the New Testament with me. Sometime in the next week you should be reading Revelation 22:20, “behold I am coming quickly.” Life is passing pretty fast. Beth said this morning that we have been caught off guard by Christmas. No decorations, only a few gifts, the house is a mess from Thanksgiving, and we are behind at work. How can you be caught off guard? Christmas is on the calendar. We’ve known it was coming for 342 days. What will happen when Christ comes? We have been warned He’s coming quickly. Will we be caught off guard? There is no excuse. He said He’s coming, I hope you’re ready.

Pastor Alan, ready or not.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2010-11-15T16:12:00.001-08:00

Expectations! Expectations can be harmful to your health. We all have expectations. Expectations of fellow voters, expectations of our government, of church, co-workers, church members, friends, family, and neighbors. The problem is expectations usually aren’t communicated or negotiated. Most people don’t know what your expectations of them are as a result they don’t know when they fail to meet them. As a pastor and fellow human being, I have expectations that are always met. When something is borrowed, that it gets returned in a timely fashion in the same condition. When something gets broken, it gets reported and fixed. For people to take pride in the facility they use. For everyone to share the work load. It would be hard to tell you how many times my expectations aren’t met. It might not be too difficult to tell you how many times they are met. The big questions I face daily is what will I do about un-met expectations? How can I honor Jesus as I think the thought I am thinking?

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's Thots

2010-10-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

I’m home. It seems to me someone said one time “home at last, home at last, praise God Almighty, I’m home at last.” Well, if they didn’t say it, they should have. I arrived home Sunday afternoon at 3:00. I missed my flight in Washington DC, they took my passport in Maputo, I got sick in Quelimane. It was hot and muggy. On the other hand, 8 people accepted Christ, I helped train 60 pastors and church leaders. What an incredible experience. They were hungry to learn. We take so much for granted: Good roads, drinkable water, soft beds, smooth TP, Dr. Pepper, fluffy pillows, cool nights, local stores, language skills, and reliable electricity. God help me to be grateful. I hope to give more to missions and pray for missionaries specifically.

Your humbled Pastor.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's thots

2010-10-05T20:24:00.001-07:00

This has been a busy week. We’ve had all day hopsital visits, funeral in KY, worship on Sunday, buying and packing for my Africa trip, having my conservatee placed in a secure environment, dealing with an irrate spouse (not mine PTL!), talking with lawyers, social workers, and doctors. Two days filled with ministerial meetings, and much time studying. This will be my last blog until I get back from Africa. I’m a little worried about my trip. I’m not ready to teach yet, I bought half of WalMart to take with me to give to the missionaries, can I get through customs? Have I had enough shots? What about my church while I am away? Oh, 20 plus hours in a little airplane seat. On the other hand, I believe this is what God wants me to do. This could be 1910 and I would be on a ship sailing around the world for a month. We live in a great time. The opportunities to share the gospel are limitless and instentanious. Oops, spell check isn’t working. It’s still a great time to be alive and serve Jesus. please keep me in your prayers.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's thots

2010-09-28T18:33:00.001-07:00

The old dinosaur has a few problems responding to people who respond to my blog. Life and blogs are complicated. So here are some answers to questions asked: 1) are Oneness congregations Christians? This is a great question and is debatable. To be a Christian there are some basic beliefs that are necessary to be “saved.” Such as virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, soon return, and that Jesus is the Son of God. There may be a couple more. If Jesus is THE God, how can He be the Son of God? Second, Jesus taught us to pray “our Father,” If they deny the Father, how do they pray? If we don’t pray the way we were instructed, we are disobedient. If we are disobedient, then we aren’t children of God. Jesus talked to the Father and about His Father. These are important beliefs, so I would say they are a cult/non-Christian congregation.

The second question asked is about throwing washers. We line up children under 5, get three inch steel washers and throw them at them to see who can catch them before they get wacked. I can’t believe I put this in my blog. I’m testing to see who reads it. Actually, the game is called “washers.” It is an old man game of horseshoes. You have a five inch pipe or hole in the ground, stand back I think 15 feet, and throw a three inch steel washer at the hole. If it goes in the hole it’s three points, if it leans over the hole, it’s called a leaner and is worth two points. If it is within a washer distance (that’s three inches if you didn’t know, that is one point. Some people have too much money and buy the game in a box and you throw the washer at a pipe in the box. It’s easy and fun for people who can’t sling a horseshoe.

I am so thankful for the brain God gave us to come up with games, or is from the devil to distract us from doing our Father’s work? Food for thought.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor Alan

2010-09-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

We believe Sunday is the Lord’s day. We had a great day yesterday. We had four missionaries visit us and share their testimonies. We had them come forward for a special prayer of dedication. We have a great future with families like these going over the ocean to tell others about Jesus. We had a high attendance of 93. PTL! After church I went to the Chinese church to preach. They are so receptive and polite. I like preaching there. After that we had our annual church picnic at the beach. This was the best ever. 1) It was hot and the water was great. 2) Three of our six congregations went with us. 3) We baptized three people. 4) The fellowship was inspiring. We played volleyball, threw washers, threw horseshoes, played in the Kayak, ate a bunch, and laughed a lot. I am glad to be part of the family of God. Plan on next year being with us, you’ll be blessed.

Tired and worn out.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2010-09-25T11:31:00.001-07:00

DECEPTION: I’ve deceived myself into believing I can’t get to the dictionary to look up the definition. I was looking at the church across the street this morning. The sign reads community church. I thought it was an apostolic church. well, as usual I can’t let a sleeping dog lie so I walked across the street and asked them what kind of church they are in relationship to what they were. Not that I look for fights , but they tell me they are apostolic. I tell them they don’t say that. They didn’t realize that. DECEPTION. Okay there are two kinds of Apostolic churches. There are the ones identified with a Wales revival in the early 1900’s and there is the one that denies the Trinity, they are called Oneness. They are the Oneness. They tell me they believe in one God, his name is Jesus. DECEPTION. What they really said was that I believe in three gods. Communication is difficult. We must use the right words and we must understand the message. They used the right words but they are not clear in their message. Do we ever get like that? How about with our bumper stickers when we drive in an ungodly manner. Or how about when we claim to be part of the family of God but live like the other family? I hate to be deceived, I don’t want to be a deceiver. I want to walk the talk and talk the walk, how about you?

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's thots

2010-09-03T20:37:00.001-07:00

Do you ever get tired of reading the same thing over and over? I like to watch old movies. My wife will ask me often, ”How many times have you seen that?” I like watching them over and over. But I don’t like reading the same thing over again, much less writing the same thing over. But I can’t believe how fast the summer has gone and how long it’s been since I wrote my blog. I said that last time and I think the time before that. Why do I keep saying that? I guess because it’s true. You know what? I don’t mind reading the Bible over and over. Every time I read it I get something new out of it. I wish my articles were like that. I hope and pray you don’t get tired of reading God’s Word over again. I still can’t believe how long it’s been since I wrote. I will try to do better, I think I said that before.

Your repeating pastor Alan.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2010-08-08T14:23:00.001-07:00

Has it been three weeks. WOW! We co-sponsored an antique car show here at our facility with Set Free Clairemont church, we had maybe 500 people here and four professions of faith. Next we did VBS and had 109 in attendance and three professions of faith. PTL! During that time we had three mission teams staying in our church along with my Mom at my house. During that time we took a mission trip to Tijuana and out to Set Free Ranch. Did I mention I teach at Set Free Leadership Class every Tuesday night for my doctorate studies. That requires 14 pages of notes and about 20 hours preparation. Two days later we started our basketball camp. We had over 45 children and at least three professions of faith. It has been a great summer for us and the Kingdom of God. PTL! but as you can see, it’s been a busy one. Now we get to slow down and paint some of the education building, remove all the carpet, have the asbestos removed, get new carpet, and put ceramic tile down in the hall. In our spare time we are recycling, landscaping, and cleaning the house after the five grandkids and one mother. I hope God is pleased with all our activities. He might be more pleased if we slowed down and smelled the roses

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's Thots

2010-07-24T20:50:00.001-07:00

Well, I couldn’t wait until I could blog. Now it’s such a burden. I know I haven’t written, I’ve been gone and too busy. Then everybody wants to remind me “you haven’t blogged in a while.” People come up and quote something I said, and the last blog is so old I don’t remember saying it. What a pain! Do you responsibilities ever get like that? Teaching Sunday School, what an honor, what an opportunity, what a chance to shine and use your talents. Then after the second week, what a burden! I have to study every week and there are weeks I’m busy or desire some time off. I even have to be in Sunday School every week, no time for myself. Or maybe joining the choir, or the kitchen committee? How can we keep it fresh? 1. Do what you enjoy. 2. Know who you’re doing it for. 3. Keep your walk fresh, like having a good quiet time with God. 4. Make sure you are being spiritually fed, in church or Bible study. Okay, I’m charged up again, I’m home for three weeks, let’s see it I can keep it up. Thanks for the reminders.

The blogging preacher.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's Thots

2010-06-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

Wow! I don’t remember the last time I blogged. I had such great aspirations of writing daily so people would know my thoughts. I think it’s been three weeks since I’ve had a thought. Time is flying by so fast. Why? Well, one reason is the fact we’ve been living with five of our nine grandkids for four weeks. I haven’t had time to write. During this time, Caleb who has been deathly afraid of water got a boggy board and went in the ocean. I thought this was a major mile stone in his life. Israel learned to ride a bike in one shove down a hill. He has such great potential. Ezekiel learned to ride a bike with training wheels and a week later said take them off. Five wrecks later he takes off and hasn’t stopped yet. With five very active, competitive, jealous boys around we don’t have enough time to push the swing, Ezekiel also learned to swing by himself. It’s kind of sad when they don’t need you anymore. They are growing up and changing so fast. I wish we (myself, the church, and you) grew that fast spiritually. I wish we matured and made spiritual progress that fast. It’s been a great four weeks, I wonder if God says that about our time with Him?

Pastor Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2010-06-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

This week has been filled with taking care of some of our mentally ill church members. This is difficult and scary. Dementia I guess can happen to anyone. I know it is time consuming and I already have a full plate, but I guess I think about what if it was my Dad or even me. On the other hand they are God’s children and I guess I have equal responsibility to provide for them. Time, talk about time, I have five very active grandsons with us for a month, that eats up a little time, like going on a bike ride Saturday. Time, did I mention I started teaching my doctoral project this week? Wow! That is a lot of study and preparation. That time disappeared fast. Time, there are about 200 other projects demanding my time this week. Maybe that’s the problem, MY TIME. As a disciple of Christ it’s His time and I willingly yield it to Him, well, I might have to define willingly.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's thots

2010-06-07T19:43:00.001-07:00

I love reunions! Sitting and just looking at my sons makes me proud of how they turned out (well, some of the time). Listening to my daughter-in-laws call me Alan or Dad and asking for advice swells my head. Having my grandkids tell me they love me and asking me to play with them (it might be nice if they obeyed). And hugging my wife and hearing the family say “Dad not here.” There is nothing like it; but wait there is. Every Sunday as we gather for a family reunion. As we look up and tell our Heavenly Father we love Him. As outsiders come to visit and comment on the love of the family. As we walk intimately together with our Lord. I don’t know about you, but I love coming to church.

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's thots

2010-05-26T19:04:00.001-07:00

Okay, how’s your faith in God? Are you surprised when God answers your prayers and thing work out well? Well, I would say I flunked the test this week. I prayed about a school problem, made all the arrangement for when God didn’t work things out. I even went to face my accusers. Then God answered my prayer. I felt excited God worked things out but then felt guilty for doubting His ability. Is there a lesson to learn from this? Why am I such a slow learner? How about you? Are you believing or doubting?

Doubting Thomas or Doubting Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2010-05-18T07:21:00.001-07:00

God created us in His image. When God finished creating us He saw what He had done and the Bible said “it was very good.” That’s us, we were created very good. As very good created beings, we have a variety of characteristics. One of those characteristics is we are emotional beings. So our emotions are good. my doctoral professor did not give me the good news I was expecting last night so I am experiencing a lot of good emotions last right now. As these warm fussy feeling, well maybe not warm fuzzy, but as whatever they are creep over me , I wonder what should I do with them. It seems I have two choices, I can let these emotions that God created and called very good control me, which is really what I want to do, or I can control these emotions with the goal in mind to honor God in all I do. With all of life’s ups and downs, we face that same decision; do we do what seems to come natural or do we choose to honor God. Presently I am looking up a former church member who worked for “the mob,” he tells me for the right price the bad news can be changed to good news. Which way to go?

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

pastor's thots

2010-05-08T14:48:00.001-07:00

Does it do any good to preach? Most of the time I would have to say no. but at least it offers a venue for expressing your opinion. So I’m not sure if this is a sermon or an opinion. I readily admit I’m a dinosaur. For whatever reason, I’m a little behind in the times. I just this week got on Facebook. I don’t know how to Skype, I don’t do texting, I don’t know what

a tweeter is. I guess I don’t even know how to read. A male friend ended a message with lol. To me I thought it meant lots of love. I thought “what happened to my friend?” He must be a little ah weird. Then I found out it meant lots of laughs. I felt a little weird. Then I read wtf. I thought it meant Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I won’t tell you what I found out it meant. Then today I read omg. Personally this is the most irritating expressions. I don’t know who or what their god is, but fortunately it is a little g. My God has a capitol G and doesn’t want His name or title taken in vain. I have a lot to learn, but I thank the One and Only True God He has called me to express my opinion, oops to preach.

BA (Brother Alan)

Pastor's thots

2010-04-22T09:52:00.001-07:00

Last week I was locking the gate with my hands full. I couldn’t manage it so I laid my book down (this was a big, thick, very expensive book). After I locked the gate I went home to watch “Lost.” As I was drinking my coffee the next morning I remembered my book (big, thick, and expensive). I went outside to get it and it was gone. I checked my office to see if the custodian found it, nope, so I checked the French to see if they found it, nope, then I got worried.

1) I want that book for my sermon Sunday 2) I need that book for my doctorate. All I could do is order another one. By the way, the wife isn’t happy about me losing a big, thick, EXPENSIVE book, but you do what you have to. This week I thought, actually I had the same thought last week but decided against it, to ask the Jews. Guess what they had it. Now I have two big, thick, expensive books. (hopefully my son won’t read this because I decided this must be a God thing and my son needs this for Christmas) As I write this I’m reminded of I Cor. 10:13 “God will provide a way out.” Aren’t we like this with sin? God wants to help us, we know better, but we chose to do it our way. Whether we are compromising, or yielding, or moving too quick we chose to sin without looking for the God answer. We wind up wasting our resources on an un-needed big, thick, expensive book, or on a wasted opportunity to shine for God, or on a wasted life. Did I learn anything? Don’t ask!

Pastor Alan

Another Thot

2010-04-13T10:45:00.001-07:00

Pastor's Thots

I don’t play golf often or well. A few weeks ago I was playing golf with three church members (that makes it church work). As I teed up and swung, the ball landed 4 inches from the whole. What a shot! I was excited and proud.

But to be honest, it was a blooper. I don’t play that kind of golf. If I break a hundred it is a great game for me. As I try to make spiritual applications, I think leading someone to Christ is like that. My life doesn’t always reflect Christ, I ‘m not the sharpest knife in the drawer so I don’t always have the right answer, and I don’t always take the time to share with others. But occasionally God places them right in my lap. I know it’s a God thing because I know me. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about my golf skills and focus more on my witnessing skills. What about you?

Pastor Alan

pastor's thots

2010-03-30T09:41:00.001-07:00

Two days ago the sun was shining and it was nice and warm, not hot and not cold, just right. Today it’s gloomy and cool. As a result I feel like I’m dragging. I wonder if God had this in mind when he said He wishes we were hot or cold, if we are warm He will spit us out? Sometimes we get like the weather spiritually. One day we are hot for Jesus, then the next we are cold like an ice cube. There are times we wonder why the body (the church) drags on. What is the answer? One word, consistent. We need consistent worship. We need consistent prayer time. We need consistent Bible study. We need consistent fellowship with believers. We need consistent sharing of our faith with people who don’t know God. We need consistent serving. I guess in a couple of months the weather will be consistent (warm), but until then I will just drag on.

Pastor Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

www.fbcclairemont.org

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

Pastor's Thots

2010-03-17T10:17:00.001-07:00

In my spare time I was wondering why we get ourselves so busy. It seems like we want to accomplish more, get more stuff, maintain accumulated stuff, please more people, and make preparations for the future. In the meantime, we miss out in the sunshine, cool breeze, nice surf, fellowship with the family of God, and time with our Father. For 33 years I’ve been telling my wife I’m going to slow down. She totally ignores me now (she used to believe me). I’m serious this time, in 2012 I’m going to slow down and enjoy more. Really!

Pastor Alan

Pastor's Thots

2010-03-11T10:43:00.001-08:00

Fiber optics can make beautiful spheres. Plaster can make interesting sea shells. Cement can make fascinating sidewalks. Bricks can make lovely gardens. All of these are manmade. In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful, interesting, and fascinating than God’s creation. At the same time, religions can make good people. Disciplines can make a self-controlled person. Going to church can build a confident person. In my opinion, there is nothing like a true born-again child of God. Everything else is a fake. What about you?

Pastor Alan

Pastor's Thots

2010-03-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

I noticed the other day that a cup of coffee with some people completely changes their mood, attitude, behavior, disposition, and outlook on events. If a cup of coffee has the ability to have that affect, what would a good strong dose of the Bible do to people. Whether we take it standing up, laying down, sitting back, or on the move there is nothing like a strong, hot, nothing added shot of God’s Word to put us in the right frame of mind.

Pastor Alan

Pastor's Thots

2010-03-08T14:56:00.001-08:00

Wow! One minute it’s raining and the next the sun is shining. I don’t know if I need an umbrella or sunglasses. You know, sometimes life is like that. Things change so fast. I wake up feeling good then wind up having a root channel in the afternoon. What’s next?

Pastor

thot for today

2010-02-24T11:21:00.000-08:00

as i was reading Mark 6 i noticed that the religious people, people from Jesus' home town, probably people who knew Him, were offended by Him. 2000 years later i'm wondering why? He was different, yes. He taught in a different style, yes. He taught with authority, yes (we don't like authority either). People were listening to Him when they had been listening to them, yes. He was being used by God and they weren't, well, I think so. what's the bottom line? JEALOUSY! Did you know the devil is still using the same tactic today to combat the works of God?