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Playing Second Fiddle

5/13/2013

 
One of my goals in Junior High and High School was to win the spot of first chair in the trumpet section of our band.  After a lot of hard work I actually achieved my goal.  Unfortunately, the glory of first chair lasted for only a few days.  After a painfully sour high note that resembled the screech of a dying eagle, it was back to the more familiar territory of second chair where I remained for the rest of my High School band career.

It’s obvious from Scripture that Andrew didn’t make first chair.  That spot went to his better known brother, Peter.  While Andrew was the first disciple to follow Jesus, his seniority did not translate into a place of prominence among the twelve.  That was reserved for the trio of Peter, James, and John.  Andrew was the only member of the foursome not included.

To his credit, Andrew didn’t quit the ministry team in a huff and go back to his fishing nets.  He humbly accepted his role in the kingdom and played it to the best of his ability.  While there is no record of Andrew preaching to multitudes with thousands responding to the altar call, we do see him behind the scenes working with individuals and bringing them to Jesus.

One of those was his own brother, Simon Peter.  Peter the rock.  Peter the leader of the twelve.  Peter the preacher of the inaugural message of the Church on the Day of Pentecost.   Peter the author of two New Testament epistles. 

Whenever we meet Andrew in the Bible he is usually identified as, “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.”  Oh, that Andrew!  Peter was given the starring role.  Andrew was a member of the supporting cast.  But consider this:  Had it not been for Andrew, there may not have been a Simon Peter.  It was Andrew who introduced Peter to Jesus.

We all have our parts to play in the grand scheme of the eternal purposes of God.  Not everyone plays quarterback.  Not everyone makes first chair.  But everyone is important, and every role necessary. True success is to play the part God has given to you to the best of your ability. 

So here is to Andrew; the guy who played second fiddle and played it really well.  Whether you are an Andrew or a Simon Peter, be faithful.  And whatever you are called upon to do, do it with all your heart to the glory of God!

Pastor Todd Weston

Only One Life

3/26/2012

 
I grew up in a musical family.  My mother’s family was musically gifted.  My grandparents were musical evangelists who traveled throughout the Midwest with their two daughters conducting revival meetings.  They played a variety of musical instruments.  We still have copies of their promotional pieces with the four of them surrounded by enough instruments to stock a small music store.

My dad’s family wasn’t musical at all.  But at a very early age he demonstrated a God-given gift for the piano.  In the ‘60’s he traveled for three years as the pianist for one of the great gospel quartets – The Blackwood Brothers. Since then, my parents have ministered all over the country in various venues, proclaiming the gospel through music.

I have one sister – Cheri.  She was born with perfect pitch (she can tell you what key your hair dryer is blowing in!) and is an accomplished pianist.  For the first several years of my life I showed little if any musical talent.  I began to think the musical blessing had bypassed me completely.  Then my dad bought me my first bass guitar.  It was love at first sight! 

That was nearly forty years ago.  Since then, music has been a huge part of my life and ministry.  In 1984 I married a beautiful young lady who is very musical.  We now have three children who are gifted and involved in music ministry.  So the legacy continues.

Last month we saw the passing of a musical giant.  Whitney Houston’s death shocked the world.  Whitney began singing in church.  She started by using her talent for the Lord.  Can you imagine the impact she could have made for the kingdom if only she had used her gift for Jesus?  Instead, she ended up using it for that which profits nothing.  She made the same mistake as Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of beans.  What a waste!

This reminds me of the repeated refrain in the poem, Only One Life, written by missionary Charles Thomas Studd –

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

We all have a gift.  Some are blessed with several.  Whatever your gift may be, use it for Jesus.  Use it for His glory, and the advancing of His kingdom.  When this life is over, it’s over.  As the great missionary said, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Pastor Todd Weston

Today was a gift!

12/29/2011

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I just finished playing a round of golf with my Dad at  Colbert Hills in Manhattan, Kansas, in the snow!  I live in Florida and my parents live in Missouri.  Today was our last day together while visiting for  the holidays and we were determined to play.  So what's a little snow and ice on  the course?

My Dad bought me my first set of clubs when I was seven.  I grew up  spending time on the course with Dad.  It's what we did together.  It's what we still do together.  I am now fifty and my Dad is seventy-three.  Sometimes, when  I'm missing Dad I go out to the course and hit some balls on the range or some  putts on the practice green. It's not so much the game; it's the memories.  It's  like they say about fishing - some people fish for a lifetime without realizing it's not really the fish they are after.

It's been very special to spend time with family over the holidays.  There's been a lot of fun, a lot of laughter, and a lot of food!  There's also  the evidence of the passing of the years.  None of us are getting any younger.  So we must make the most of our opportunities and treasure the moments we have  to spend together.

In a few days we fly back to Florida, and the suitcases will be stuffed  with the many Christmas gifts we received. But one of the greatest gifts for me  cannot be packed in a suitcase.  Instead, it's carefully tucked away in the  memory book of my mind.  It was the gift of a day spent with Dad on the golf  course...in the snow.

Pastor Todd
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The Innkeeper

12/6/2011

 
If you ever want to do an interesting Bible study, take a look at the characters of Christmas.  Each one has their own story to tell.  Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, the angels, even Herod who was scared the Baby born that night would destroy his career and disrupt his lifestyle.  
 
One of the characters that interest me most isn’t even named in the Bible, and yet his story appears in Luke 2:7.  It’s the story of the Innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away, “because there was no room for them in the inn.”  It wasn’t because the guy was hard-hearted.  He was just busy.  Much too busy.
 
Because of the census demanded by Rome, Bethlehem was literally crawling with people.  It was crazier than SW Florida in peak season!  If the Innkeeper had only known that the Baby to be born that night was the Son of God, he would have found room!  But he missed the Baby.  He had a business to run, customers to serve, and books to keep. Certainly God understood that he had to make a living and save for retirement.  So it was that this nameless Innkeeper missed his moment.
 
The holiday season is a busy time of year.  As a matter of fact, life is busy and schedules are straining at the 
breaking point.  The danger is that in our concern with making a living and getting ahead in life we miss the fact
that Jesus came to give us gifts that no amount of money can buy.
 
So learn a lesson from the Innkeeper and pause this Christmas to find out who this Baby really is and what He came to give.  The answer will amaze you!
 
Pastor Todd

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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