Missions (Dave Decker)

Good morning everyone, it is so good to be here and to be a part of such a great family here at LRBC. Right now we have our kids meeting their teacher so that they can learn and understand more about Scripture themselves in a way that makes sense to them. Then we also have those of you online that have joined our extended spiritual family this morning. I want to thank you for trusting us enough to join us this morning. You know, like I always say, I am humbled that you have decided to join us online, but if you are in the Ogle County area then I want to truly ask you to join us some Sunday morning. Online is great, but it is nothing compared to the opportunity to connect with the the Lord and some pretty great people in person.

Hey, I wanted to tell you guys a an ancient Greek legend this morning real quick. In ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, "Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies." The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, "If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it." People are also like that. That's why we all need to take time to rest. Last week we saw that God created and modeled a time of rest for us in

Genesis 2:3 ESV

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Well, this morning I want to introduce to you a man that has taken this idea of Biblical rest very seriously and has spent his retirement years serving the Lord by creating a special space for pastors to be able to rest. You see, pastors many times feel they are unable to take a time of rest as there always seems to be something to do. However, it is not good for the pastor, it is not good for his family, and it is not good for the church for a pastor to ignore this example and this command that has been given to us to rest.

Anyway, let me introduce to you Dave Decker. Dave and his wife Louise have personally ministered to and helped provide a unique way of rest for over 3000 pastors and missionaries since 2003. Now, the Deckers were our missionaries of the month last month, and so it is a treat for us to get to hear from them this month and hear a bit about what God is doing at Dear Ridge, as well as hear Dave’s heart in serving the Lord in this way. Now, Dave is actually serving as an interim pastor at a church right now, and they have allowed him some time to be able to connect with us here this morning and let us know how they are doing. Please know that we will be encouraging everyone to give as the Lord leads to the ministry of the Deckers and what they are doing there at Dear Ridge. The offering plates will be in the back of the room by the doors on your way out to be able to bless them as God has blessed you. For now, join me in welcoming Dave and Louise to share with us this morning....

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