Regarding the Evening Service of December 13, 2009

This was truly a wonderful service but unfortunately it could not be recorded because there is something wrong with the computer. Over the past several months, we’ve had many truly great sermons that were not recorded because of trouble with the computer. The sermon this evening was a very special one. Unfortunately I am hard of hearing and didn’t hear everything that was said. I was so looking forward to editing the sermon for the Internet and CD’s, so I could hear everything. I feel strongly however, that I need to write what I know, of tonight’s sermon.

The sermon was all about faith, about living by faith instead of by sight. It was pointed out that most people live by sight, not by faith. Pastor Storm read several verses from Scripture that talk of faith and of living by faith. He also described in detail, the meaning of living by sight as well as what living by faith means and he stated that at a recent pastors’ conference, he spoke on the subject of faith and described how we are totally relying on God to supply our needs regarding funds for the new building that we are preparing to erect. He said that other pastors said they would never start a building project without having the money for it, ahead of time but that’s exactly what we’ve done. Also it is a fact (and mentioned tonight) that someone of authority, had previously said that there’s no way our building would ever be approved; that it just would not happen. One deacon, who was there at the time, told that person that there’s something he didn’t understand. The man asked what that was. The deacon said that if it’s God’s will that the building be erected, that there’s absolutely nothing that he or anyone else can do, to prevent it from happening. Not only is this clearly, God’s will but it was approved within record time the plans were first drawn up in July of 2009, November 16, 2009 the Florence Town Council gave us full clearance to construct the building and on December 6,2009, we had the ground breaking ceremony. Within weeks, the construction on the new building will begin.

Pastor Storm said a few days ago, he wrote a check for the down payment for the new building as we had the funds for that purpose and then he received an additional bill for something else (I didn’t hear what), of about $6,000. He said that amount will need to be paid tomorrow (Monday, December 14th) and all we had was around $1,000 and the offering was no where near that much. He said that during this morning’s sermon, his phone rang (he said he had it on vibrate, so no one would hear it if it were to ring), after the service, he listened to the message and the person said to call ASAP. He called back while driving home and the person asked where he was and how soon he could get back to the church property as it is an emergency. Although he was just pulling into his driveway, he left right away. He said when he got back, he met a man whom he had never before met, who said he wanted to give him something if he wanted it. They drove to a place in North Florence and pulled into a place where RV’s are securely parked and some were for sale. They walked up to a very luxurious, late model motor home that had very exclusive oak panels throughout and brand new tires. The man asked if he wanted it and handed him the keys and signed over the title. Pastor Storm told how much it was worth but I did not hear and he started crying and said he had been crying the rest of the day after receiving it. He was crying for joy. God provided more than enough and said that we would have the building paid off completely, before it is built. God is so gracious!!! Nothing is too hard for God!!!

I wish I heard more of what was said as I would love to write more about that wonderful sermon but greater yet, I would prefer that the computer recorded the sermon, it was so wonderful!!!

Pastor Storm was injured in an airplane crash, read about it on the page Meet Our Pastor, under the Information button. He experiences quite a lot of pain on a daily basis and is somewhat handicapped because of the crash but other than being unable to turn his head, not many would know it. He gets up early every day and spends the whole day at church at least 6 days per week and remains there long hours and is very busy with all that is always going on. I recently asked how he could possibly do as much as he does. He told me that it needs to be done and so he just does it. He does it, no matter how much pain it causes him. In my mind, pastor Storm is by far, the best pastor I had ever had; even though I’ve had some that stood out in my mind as truly great ministers of God. Pastor Storm’s faith is extremely strong and God never lets him down.

Until my wife and I discovered Florence Baptist Church, I’ve wondered many times why God directed us to Florence (we previously lived in Phoenix for many years) as church is a very big thing in my life and I was very dissatisfied with other churches in the area of Florence and Coolidge that we had visited. I hope we never have to leave Florence as I do not want to be part of any other congregation as long as I live.