PEP – People Encouraging People

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Our son loves his swimming pool, especially this summer when his city, Mesa, Arizona was the hottest place in the nation. The clear blue water is refreshing. Yet when he moved in, the pool was an uninviting murky green color. He found out that he needed a new filter system.

Sometimes when our lives and thinking get murky, we need new filters. Here are two that will help no matter what age we are.

Filter 1: PRAYER Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

The key is to let go of our concerns and present them to God. And don’t forget to season with thanksgiving. This forces us to remember God’s faithfulness and all he has done for us. Lord, help us remember, if it is big enough to make us anxious, it is big enough to pray about.

Filter 2: SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Where do you let your mind dwell? Would the filter of this verse catch those thoughts or let them through? My problem is I don’t stop and realize where I’m letting my thoughts dwell. Lord, help us “bring every thought” under the control of your word.

So when your life is getting murky and stagnant, check that the filters of Prayer and God’s Word are in place.

PEP CLUB ACTIVITIES FOR SEPTEMBER

Breakfast Club every Thursday at 10:00 AM

The every Thursday format gives opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Waffle Shop on the corner Zinfandel and Folsom Blvd. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Sunday, September 12 at 2:OO PM, “Room Service”

This is a classic screwball comedy presented by Chatauqa Playhouse. We have always enjoyed their presentations given in a small intimate theatre. They are in their 34th year of giving quality productions. Tickets are $16 for seniors. Pastor Bill has purchased 15 tickets and if you’d like one, give your money to him or Reva Bryson.

Sunday, September 26 Chicken BBQ by Bob Robbins

We’ll have a potluck for side dishes and dessert to complete the dinner. These are always very popular dinners and you will not want to miss the wonderful food and great chance for fellowship. Bobbie and Bob Robbins are hosting us.

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Which is easier for you: to list your problems or your blessings? A few weeks ago someone asked how I was. I answered that I was exhausted after a week’s vacation.

What’s with that? We met old friends we haven’t seen for 50 years, bonded with family in new ways, saw magnificent scenery and received some very needed advice from an old friend. So I can only talk about a couple of days of tiredness??

The Lord has been challenging me for some time about my lack of praise. Today I interacted with a friend on Facebook on this subject. I mentioned my need to sing that old hymn “Count Your Blessings.’

Some of you will remember it: “Count your blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” It tells how counting our blessings brings relief when we are discouraged, doubtful about things, or questioning our financial stability. Yes, as I learn to count my blessings, I am surprised what the Lord has done!

So set a goal to daily count your blessings. It will bring fresh perspective on your lot in life. As the hymn says we will find “help and comfort to our journey’s end.”

By Pastor Bill Gaube, PEP – People Encouraging People

Have feelings:

• ever got you down?
• fogged your mind so you can’t see situations clearly?
• screwed up your reactions?
• caused grieving about the past?

Welcome to our club! One of our star members is the Prophet Elijah. God did spectacular miracles through him and caused a national revival. What was Elijah’s reaction? He let feelings blind him. He reacted poorly to people and his situation and ran away. Feeling deserted he ended up wishing for death.

Then twice God asked the question: “What are you doing here?” That’s a good question to ask ourselves. Are we joining Elijah in his pity party? Mourning things we have no control over – that are best left for God to forgive and work out? Not seeing all the facts – Elijah thought he alone followed God, but 7,000 more still did?

Please note God’s patient, loving and yet firm way of helping Elijah. Didn’t speak to Elijah in the wrath and lightning of the storm, nor sweep him away in the mighty wind. Rather God spoke in a quiet, gentle, understanding and persuasive way. He told Elijah to eat and rest. Then God gave him a new understanding of God and a new commission.

So what are we doing here? The Apostle Paul said he forgot those things that were behind and pressed on. Celebrate that God has a new commission for the present and a shining future for us. Don’t get side tracked by the fact it is different than the past. Thank God for the good in the past and leave the rest under His sovereign grace.

Feeling down? Hear God asking, “What are you doing here.” Quietly and patiently let Him give you a new understanding of Himself and a new commission. Then follow it!

PEP CLUB ACTIVITIES FOR MAY

BREAKFAST CLUB, 10:00 AM; EVERY THURSDAY

• The every Thursday format gives greater opportunity for more to be involved.  We meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel & Folsom Blvd.  Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship.  We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Ever question why the Lord allowed something to happen? Maybe it caused pain. Maybe it removed something you felt was very important. Maybe it left you feeling barren and hopeless.

Looking at my yard made me think about this. Last Summer I was totally frustrated how my roses had grown out of control. My neighbor enjoyed them but we couldn’t see them very well. So this year they were severely pruned back. Now they look like sticks popping out of the ground.

What would they say if they could talk? Ouch! But I need that branch? How can I go on like this? What are you doing, don’t you care about us? But that is the point; I do care about them. I want them to grow in the most productive way and not sap strength from more important parts of the bush.

In John 15:1-2, Jesus pictures God as the gardener and says: “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” It is just as hard to accept those “sticks” in my yard now, as it is to accept my life as God prunes me.

How vital it is that we see that God’s plans for us are good and not evil. That is why Jesus prayed, “Your will be done.” I’m looking forward to enjoying the beautful roses this Spring. We can look forward to some beautiful results in our lives because of the pruning God is doing now.

PEP CLUB ACTIVITIES FOR MARCH

• BREAKFAST CLUB, 10:00 AM; EVERY THURSDAY

The every Thursday format gives greater opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel & Folsom Blvd. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

• SUNDAY, MARCH 21 GOING OUT TO EAT TOGETHER

We will meet at the Sizzler on Madison after the second service. We can carpool if you’d like. Come for a great time! Our host is Bob Robbins.

Keep your eye open for other upcoming PEP events!