Greetings Brethren from sunny Albuquerque! It is a cold but beautiful late afternoon as we crossed over the state line into New Mexico after an interesting day full of surprises.
I had hoped to be writing you later this evening with a progress report on the public Bible Study in Las Cruces. We have all of our equipment and a special Bible Study prepared but as we arrive in Albuquerque the interstate Freeways in southern New Mexico are still closed in spots on I-25 and I-10. One of the worst storms to hit the area in memory!
So unfortunately we had to cancel the Bible Study as most in Las Cruces have never experienced snow of this type, which is very unusual to say the least. As we connected with the Days Inn Conference Center where the Bible Study was to be held, the Catering Director Tanya was still not able to get into the facility and even our local Church hosts in Southern New Mexico, as of this writing, are stranded in their home with two foot drifts of snow, unable to get out of their driveway without the four wheel vehicle.
The freeway is also still closed. Even the Hotel realized this was a unique time, so they credited us with the cost of the meeting room and we will be able to rebook in March, our next proposed time frame for another study.
We then turned around and drove the opposite direction through what turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day, though it was very windy, some ice, black ice and some slush on over for Santa Fe and Albuquerque services, arriving earlier than expected. It is times like this that we have to understand we are in our Father’s hands.
He knows what is best in every situation. The point is, we were safe, warm, dry and not caught in any of the mess on the freeways where people are stranded in their cars or trucks, waiting for the roads to open!
We have to keep that positive outlook in every aspect of our lives. As an example, we were able to get cancelation notices out on the airwaves; as we had received about 60 “hits” at last count, from the ads and people were going to our web site both local and international to see what we were all about!
This is great advertising! We could take a negative view of things; yet God is not negative! He knows exactly what He is doing, what is happening and when the timing is right, all will be exactly what He wants.
Meanwhile we learn to go with the flow, to follow Christ; so we turned around and were able to get across I – 40 up in northern Arizona and New Mexico to arrive more rested. As a reminder, Sabbath Services in Santa Fe are at 11:00 AM (I think we originally said 11:30) and Albuquerque at 2:45 PM, with a pot luck, activities and lots of fellowship to follow!
The word “follow” brings an interesting scripture to mind in Christ’s teaching. What can we learn from a situation, when it does not quite work out the way we thought is should? Follow Christ’s lead!
“Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
Really, is that right? Let’s check and see if these disciples were ready to follow.
Christ then responded with the following in verse 20: “And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Obviously an excuse, by one of them, even though this other fellow may have been sincere, when the Father calls, even directly by Jesus Christ, he had better say yes sir! Not do as someone might think is more important. So we read in verse 22: “But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Might seem a strong statement but Christ knows that those who follow Him must be strong and take courage. They have to be committed no matter what changes come up. And there will be more changes ahead for all of us.
That is our lives as Christians. God help all of us to work through situations each day with a clear head, seeking God each step of the way and willing to follow His direction, even when changes occur.
Tomorrow Church Services will also be in Tucson and Prescott at 10:30 AM and in Phoenix at 3:00 PM. Again, remember, Santa Fe is in the morning at 11:00 AM and Albuquerque at 2:45 PM.
Come and hear what your Father has to say tomorrow, through His servants, on His wonderful Sabbath day. Then grow, change and be like the Father and Son in everything!
Sincerely,
Rodger Bardo
Area Pastor AZ-NM
