Newsletter Mar 22nd

GREETINGS FROM BARBEE’S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

We extend our love and sympathy to Mr. Aaron Triplett and family upon the death of his grandfather, Mr. Bobby Pyron. May the Lord give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.

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Over 60 years ago I learned that human love has its limits. Here is the story. Pamela and I had been dating a couple of years. She knew all about my regular excursions to the peach orchards. She was curious. Also, we were always looking for ways to spend more time together. So, she asked her parents if she could go with me one day. By then, they had decided that I was a nice guy and they said, “yes”.

3:00 am was our usual time to leave Albemarle. I picked up Pamela and she sat between Dad and me on the bench seat of that old truck. Dad was always teasing her about something. Between his teasing and her excitement of being with me, the trip to South Carolina was fun for her. We had breakfast at our usual Truck Stop in Cowpens, SC. Then it was on to the orchard in Inman, SC.

It was barely daylight when we got to our assigned spot to pick. [Let me insert this—-for a first-timer, Pamela did very well in speed and in quality of peaches she picked]. Here is where the story turns bad. Grass around some trees was knee high. Morning dew, plus dampness from an overnight rain, made for wet walking. Soon, our shoes, socks, feet, and jeans were soaked. Dew and rain drops clung to the leaves. Each time we grabbed a peach, we got a face full of water. It did not take long to be soaked from head-to-toe. Add in the perspiration from the work. The sun came up and turned on the heat. Those of us who were regulars were accustomed to it all. Pamela’s sensitive skin began to itch from the “peach fuzz”. Soon, my sweet, darling, Pamela, was one miserable, hurting, ball of “ITCH”.

We finished picking the load as fast as possible. Pamela was miserable the entire ride home. I got her to her house as quickly as possible. This time there was no lingering on  the porch for some last minute hugs, or “one more kiss”. She dashed into the house. I did not ask back then and now I wonder, “How many baths and how much lotion was necessary for her to quit itching?” In the years that followed, I often teased her about joining me on a peach picking trip. She would laugh and say , “Never again will I deliberately choose to make myself so miserable”.  Pamela loved me enough to stay married to me for 55 years. She did not love me enough to go back to the peach orchard!!!! And I loved her too much to force her to go.

Human love does have some limits. Easter is a reminder that God’s love is without limits. No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what you have done, God loves YOU. Consider what the Bible says about that love:

   …”But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us”. [Romans 5:8]

   …”But [the Lord] is long suffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. [ 2 Peter 3:9]

   …”the  cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it ?’ [John 18:11]

   …”the Book of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world”. [Revelation 13:8]

   …”But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed”. [Isaiah 53:5]

Jesus, deliberately, voluntarily, fully aware of the pain, chose to die on that cross for you. His love has no limits. I pray that you have already asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. If not, please do so now. Your forgiveness, your sin debt, has already been PAID IN FULL. Don’t let what Jesus did for you be done in vain.

   …”God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but should have everlasting life”. [John 3:16]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am

2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm

3. Prayer and Bible Study are at 6:30 pm on Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall

4. $ 410- latest total for  Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for Home Missions—You may continue to give

5. EASTER SCHEDULE
   April 2-6:30 pm-Maundy Thursday Service
   Easter—7:00 am—Sunrise Service
   7:30-Breakfast
   8:30-Worship Service