Pastor's Post 1/12/2024

Dear Shiloh Family,

    Did you ever notice how when one part of the body hurts, another part often develops pain as well? Why do physical ailments in the knee sometimes cause problems in the opposite hip.  I’ve noticed that when my contacts get bad, I tend to develop headaches…it even makes my hair hurt.  Back pain occasionally radiates down through the leg, into the heel, and rips through the toes. And a toothache throbs throughout the entire body. These wonderful life events remind us how all parts of the body are connected.

     I’ve also noticed that as we get older, everything is exaggerated.  Every morning, I hear the alarm clock and my mind informs me it’s time to rise and shine.  However, my back balks, “hit the snooze,” my knees creak, “I don’t think so,” my hip cries, “not on your life,” and my eyes sneer, “go ahead if you can find the bathroom.”  Eventually, all the parts wake up and synchronize movement, assisted by my hands, arms, and a few articles of furniture.   Each individual limb, organ, tendon, and socket must connect to allow proper bodily function.  

Psalm 139:13-16: 13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. NIV

     So it is within the body of Christ. We are divinely placed together on earth to perform a heavenly function.  However, we must be connected in all points, and those connections don’t just happen, they are pursued and assisted.  

     Last week, we fellowshipped with the Lord’s Supper, worshipped in spiritual song, and baptized two precious souls. Because of that wonderful experience, at least two more lost sheep entered the fold this week, and will be baptized on the 21st.  The body of believers at Shiloh is a living, breathing, functioning, organism because its members are connected from the nursery to the senior citizens.

     However, there are some missing parts within our congregation.  Please, reach out to someone and invite them into your small group. That someone may be the leg of support or the ligament of connection that stabilizes or mobilizes the entire group.  

     Jesus sought out those who were hurting and alone.  Follow the master and seek out people who aren’t connected.  Don’t wait for folks to come to your class or Bible study, go to their seats and invite them in.    

     Michael Wallin, with Grace Global will be speaking Sunday.  He will give testimony of how Shiloh played an important roll in his young life in salvation and spirituality.  Pray for him as he presents the importance of being connected in all things.   

We forget the importance of small things until we get a splinter under our fingernail.  

God bless you all, 

Pastor Derrell