Words from Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 

Words from Psalm 18

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. Psalm 18:2 

Words from Psalm 37

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

Happy Labor Day!

 

Lead and Guide Me

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3

OK, what am I supposed to be like, how can I be good and how will you lead me? I read a good plan for me in the Institute for Creation Research “Days of Praise” booklet I get from their Dallas, Texas location. I have visited the ICR in Dallas numerous times and brought many family members to see their creation display. I encourage you all to go there if you are in Dallas.

Good people expect God’s blessing (Proverbs 12:2.) God has been so good to me. Several times he has provided just what I needed by people who helped me. We built this house at 9223 Pioneer Court in 1993. I did not know at that time Bryce and I would need the large bathroom, the roomy bedroom and so many other parts of this house that make it easy for us to be here in our old ages. Who knew? I have learned to expect blessings.

Good people secure their children (Proverbs 13:22). Acts & Facts magazine from ICR in 2026 states “Here’s one thing you’ll likely never see: a parent sitting their child down and saying, ‘Now this is how you tell a lie.’ We all come by lying naturally, Adam and Eve did it too.” We all try to get our children to tell the truth.

Good people are satisfied with life (Proverbs 14:14) I am so thankful Bryce and I can be here, enjoy and share Firethorn pool, resort and golf with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. How could I not be satisfied when God has given us 6 children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren? Life is awesome. 

Good people love wisdom (Matthew 12:35). I was so lucky I had gone with several friends to Doane to finish my degree in teaching. Because of that, the athletic director felt I had the wisdom to take on the men’s tennis team at Wesleyan University after assisting with the women’s team with my friend, Tom Tipton. I don’t know that I was wiser, but the 10 years I coached both teams at Wesleyan were some of my most fruitful and fun years. The students were wonderful and our trips to the national tournaments were so fun. How did I ever take 10 or 20 college kids around the country? The kids I taught have shown up teaching my children and heading up tennis programs like at Firethorn.

Good people are just people (Luke 23:50) and good people are full of faith (Acts 11:24).

I see our children giving the guidance of these verses to their children and grandchildren all the time. God is leading and guiding our family in all generations.  

Sandra Hilsabeck

Overcoming Negative Values

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers. Proverbs 4:14 

Train children in the right way and when old they will not stray. Proverbs 22:6

We all are living in a populated society where a variety of personal values are practiced and interchanged. It seems that daily news items inform us of a newly revealed "scam" that has occurred. Or, that some innocent person has been taken advantage of or harmed in some way. There appears to be too many who want to harm or destroy others. How can we overcome this type of destructive character that some others have?

As I was growing and maturing, I remember being advised by adults to be aware of the action of others my age and recognize that I would develop and be known by the standards similar to those with whom I associated and accompanied. Our value system can be influenced through our relationships, in addition to the teachings we receive. Therefore, parents, educational institutions, and Christianity have a huge task to prevent and overcome negative values and attitudes, and to develop positive action and beliefs instead.

The programs of our Eastridge Church are so important in our local task to do this. Our worship and Christian Education programs will promote and teach the positive values and Christian attitudes needed in our society today. 

Jesus said, "Let your life so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." The people around us need to see that the results of a Christian's life do make a difference between how the Christian lives and how others live! May our lives at Eastridge Church reflect the Lord we love and about whom we have been taught.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father:  We pray for Your guidance and direction so that our culture may reflect the standards of Your creation.  Help us to establish and share these Christian values that follow the teachings of Your Son that He brought to this earth.  Amen

Lauren Holcombe (reprinted from 2016)

Words from the book of Luke

For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37