Ever since undergoing my knee replacement surgery in October, I have been undergoing physical therapy sessions week after week after week. Even though my operation was the "big event;" it would have all been a big waste of time and money if it hadn't been followed up by the long work of therapy. Like birth (or rebirth: conversion), the surgery was necessary but it was only the beginning of the process to make my right leg right ("righteous"). Like the surgeon who put in my new knee while I was asleep, God gives us new life in a mysterious way, known only to Him. But then we are responsible to nurture that new life. As Jesus said, we do not live on bread alone but on God's word - and if I am not taking in God's word daily, like manna, that life in me is never going to grow and be healthy and functional. If I skip my physical therapy sessions, my leg might have a new knee but it will stay bound up by all the tight tendons and knotted up muscles (adhesions) that it developed before the new knee was put in.

Working on those adhesions can be very painful. The therapist finds them by massaging my leg. When he hits one, I about jump off the table. Sometimes I feel like kicking him in the head. (Does this sound like when God's word contacts some spiritual adhesions in you?) And then once he finds one, he has to keep massaging it (ow! ow! OW!) until it loosens up. Some loosen up in one session. It looks like one they found last week is going to take at least three. When the adhesion is first located (and it may have been in my leg muscle for 25 years!), the first sign that l have that it's, there is a jolt of pain like walking into an electric fence. Then there's lots more pain in working it out. But then, once it - loosens up, not only does it not hurt any more, but the whole leg is much more flexible and my whole body is much more able to function properly. So it is with God's word; probing each of us as a part of the body, searching out the hard unconverted lumps inside. Once His word has done its work though, you are freed up to do yours, and so is the whole larger body (the church) of which you are a part.

God's word brings us lots of comfort in life's difficulties, doesn't it? But it is also a sharp scalpel at times - and a physical therapist's trained deep massaging hands. Don't give up on your therapy. If the Great Physician has done His work, now the Great Spiritual Therapist needs to be doing His. And the more we understand that and let Him do his job, the more even those pains become joys as we spiritual patients, full of sin's adhesions, become the spiritually functional and healthy disciples God wants us to be.

Shalom,
Pastor Pete Wilson
Calvary Baptist Church Newsletter Article
Williamsport, PA


There are many events listed on our new Web Calendar. Hope you will check them out.   
Upcoming Events Calendar

Latest Regional News
Fanning The Flame 2010 Registration Information and Brochure:  Check out those that have already signed up as well as register for transportation on-line.  All the information you need to sign up for this event, May 24 - 27.  Registration Deadline this month.
Ken Webster is Ordained to the Gospel Ministry:  After all of the 'Winter' that we have had this year, everyone wondered what the day would be like, but God 'shined' on the celebration of Ken Webster's Ordination by providing a beautiful sunny afternoon for the festivities!
Reunion 2010 West & Reunion 2010 East:  Rev. Eric Kraihanzel, ABCOPAD Student Minister has the preliminary information up regarding Reunion 2010 to take place  in November.  Check out who we have booked for music.  Very Cool.
Alert: Earthquakes in Chile and Japan - IM missionaries safe:
An 8.8 earthquake has struck Chile around 3:30 am their time. IM missionaries, Barbara and Dwight Bolick are in the U.S. and are scheduled to return to Chile on Tuesday, March 2. IM has attempted to...(read more)

Student Ministries Interviews:  Pastor Eric does Podcast Interviews with ABCOPAD Student Ministers.  First two interviews. Pastor Dave Klock and Chris Hamilton. 
2010 Oberammergaue Passion Play Trip:  YES! There is still time to register! There is still room for you! We are hosting a trip to see the Oberammergau Passion Play June 15-23, 2010 now at a reduced price, the 9-day Alpine Wonders...(read more).
ABCOPAD 2010 Biennial: Preliminary Information: Date and Location.  Be sure to mark your calendar.  More information coming soon.
Ministers Council:  News You Can Use Newsletter:  The March 2010 Ministers Council Newsletter is now available on-line.  Check it out.
AB Women's Ministries Updates:
  • The Association ABWM page was updated with information from Central Union Association. (2/28/2010)

  • The Mission & Service page was updated with Special Missionaries letters.(2/28/2010)

  • The Conference Flyer was added to the Conference Web Page. (2/22/2010)

  • The Board Meeting web page has been updated with the Spring Board Meeting information. (2/13/2010)

  • The Women's Day Flyer is posted on the Women's Day Web Page. (2/7/2010)
Galveston Mission Trip II: April 18 - 24:  Forms, Information, YouTube clips and much more.  Why not join the team and experience what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in a whole new way.
Cooperative Church Annual Report On-line Form:  It is that time of year again.  Help us better know and understand what the Region looks like by providing this valuable information via the CCAR Report.

ABCOPAD Regional Board Report  Important news concerning the Regional budget and plans to look to the future.  A letter from both Rev. Frank Frischkorn (Executive Minister) and Rev. Mary Lewis (ABCOPAD President as well as comprehensive and colorful report by Rev. Cory Hartman, one of our Regional Board Members.

Grant Funds Available Release God's Power, Ministries of Christian Discipleship & Legacy Grant funds are available.  The Deadline for grant applications is March 14th.  Forms and guidelines are posted on the web.
Upcoming Events Added To The Calendar
 Please Remember, there are many events on our calendar.
 Events occurring this month and additional events can be found on our home page,
 www.abcopad.org in the News and Upcoming Events Section
Men With a Mission:  The Pittsburgh Baptist Men have an action packed day scheduled for March 20th at the Olive Branch Baptist Church; 296 State Route 981; Belle Vernon, PA 15012.  Check out the details.
 
Bridging the Gap Workshop At Hepburn Baptist Church: “This month, throughout the world 3000 new churches will open, while in the Euro-America 400 churches will close.” This statistic, provided by the U.S. Center for World Missions, displays the challenge we face in being a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our own culture and beyond.  Hepburn Baptist invites you to take part with them as they look for ways to address the challenges facing Christianity at the beginning of the 21st century.
3R's Adult and Student Leaders Youth Ministry Training:  Rev. Eric Kraihanzel has scheduled Student Ministry Training Events throughout the Region.  Learn more about the event including finding a training opportunity near you.
Spring Break North at Camp Judson:  Camp Secretary Jeri Herington sent this information for a student ministries event..  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Downloadable Registration Form and Brochure. Spring Break North is for youth in grades 7- 12.  April 16 - 18.

God Bless.  Mark