Sunday Reflections - October 26, 2016

THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Wise old King Solomon teaches us much about living in our world.  For instance, take a look at his words from Ecclesiastes:

    There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

    a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

    a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build, 

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

    a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

    a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

    a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

    a time for work and a time to retire (words added by Pastor D)

    He has made everything beautiful in its time. 
                                                                         Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11

Contrary to popular opinion, retirement is not the time in which your satisfaction with life declines and your health deteriorates. Instead, it’s the exact opposite: Retirement is likely to improve your overall happiness and health, at least it is according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

In light of that, we have an event happening within our Pastoral Team at Deer Flat.  I’ll let you read this gracious letter for yourself.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

            I write this letter with mixed emotions, joy and sadness, as my wife and I have had an awesome ten plus years serving as your Associate Pastor to the Latino community at large.  How the years have blown by. We have shared many special moments, babies, weddings, picnics, and many other fun activities.  There have also been those times of sharing in sorrow, with hospital visit, nursing home visits and funerals of loved ones.

            My wife and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives. We will be retiring by the end of this 2016 year. It has been an honor and privilege to have been a part of the Deer Flat staff. My thoughts and prayers will be with them as they continue to lead the people of Deer Flat to bigger and better adventures.  I want to thank you all at Deer Flat for your friendship, help and support. You are an amazing and generous people, not just to my wife and I, but to the widows, orphans, the poor and the disenfranchised. May God continue to Bless you all and fill you all with His Love and Grace. I am taking away many great and wonderful memories of what God has done because of your faithfulness to Him.

            Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Sincerely,

Jose and Jan Quezada,

So, Pastor Jose is retiring - not dying. One wife commented about retirement, saying "Twice as much husband for half the income."  So, you can see both Pastor Jose and Jan need our prayers.

We rejoice with them on this decision and we will be planning a time of celebration - to be announced - as their retirement date gets closer. They have given a significant number of years serving the people of Canyon County and the Deer Flat Family. No one will ever know the amount of miles they have driven, gallons of fuel used, vehicle

tune-ups done, hospital, home and care center visits, phone calls made, prayers prayed, funerals conducted, counseling sessions refereed, weddings performed, lunches bought and calls in the night taken, except the Lord alone. Time doesn’t permit me to tell you of the amount of furniture and appliances they have secured for people, furniture they have delivered, or assisted people who needed help moving. All of this done by Pastor Jose and Jan.

Did I mention the classes taught, sermons preached, clothing distributed, food delivered and meetings attended? We as a church are much indebted when it comes to these dear servants. That is what Pastor Jose and Jan are – servants. They will continue to be servants as they move into retirement, because that’s who they are.

May God bless them as they close this chapter of their lives! We are glad they will remain with us in Caldwell.

Loving You, Loving Him, and Loving the Quezadas

Pastor D      

PS – That’s the title of the message this Sunday – PS.  We’ll look at the final two verses of the Book of James. You’re going to love what happens at Deer Flat this Sunday! I can’t wait to see you.