Old Time Methodist Church

06/22/2026

GAME ON!
When my grandson was very young, he joined a young boys' baseball team.
He was 100% into playing ball and winning the game.
I would watch him as he took a stance on the infield, smacked his glove with his hand, and was totally focused on the opponent. He was dressed in his little guy's sponsored shirt, and you could tell he was ready and waiting for the ball to come his way. He was obviously positioned, ready to scoop the ball up and throw the opponent out.
But I also watched him become very frustrated with his young teammates. He would sputter and let the guys know to “wake up” and pay attention.( It was not a good day at home when his team lost by the way!)
You see, some of his teammates couldn't care less about the game.
Some of them would become bored because there wasn't any excitement in the game, and they would sit in the outfield, picking at the weeds.
When it was time to come in off the field, they would walk off the field like molasses in an ice storm creeping up a mountainside.
It was of little interest to them if they won or lost the game. (I am guessing mom or dad thought their child should learn to play sports and signed them up.)
I do wonder, though, if their team won a game, if they went home and bragged about how good they were at the game. ( yeah, I've been in the church a long time)
The apostle Paul loved to use sports analogies to teach spiritual truths.
Listen as he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
The spiritual instructions Paul gives us in other scriptures are telling us, as children of God, to get our minds, bodies, and souls in the game. (spiritually speaking). He tells us to throw off any hindrances of that which is displeasing to God so that we can run the race, totally focused on the goal of eternal life.
If your watching any of the World Cup games, how many of those teams have players that are just sitting on the field, bored and disconnected from the game? You will notice that for many of them, they stand proud to be able to represent their home country.
So, today, do you have your mind, body, heart, and your passions fully invested in the Kingdom of Heaven?
If not, get in the game, throw off the attitude of just going through the emotions and for goodness sake, get excited for JESUS!
Pastor al

03/11/2026

I am sure many of you have had an X-ray guided shot in your back. Those shots, in my case, are an effort to postpone another back surgery.
I told the nurse that there are two people who I am trying to outrun.
The surgeon and the death angel. I told her I know one is going to get me for sure, but that was ok, because I was ready.
Are you ready to go if God says that your appointed time is now?
Knowing that you are ready to stand before a holy God when He opens the Lamb's Book of Life and knowing your name is written down is a great way to live now.
Hebrews 9:27 (kjv) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Be blessed!
Pastor al

02/19/2026

If someone asked you how give to others from all your blessings in life, how would you answer?
Years ago, I heard a true story by a pastor sharing a story about his father, also a pastor.
This story has been one of the things that has influenced me for many years.
The pastor had been pastoring the church for many years. He wore the same suit, year after year, and it was getting fairly well worn out. Multiple funerals, weddings, and worship services had put many miles on that old suit. He needed a new suit.
By the way, who wouldn't want their pastor looking good, so a new suit was definitely in order.
The pastor went shopping and bought a brand new suit. The first one he had bought in many years.
Come Sunday morning, he went to church, like he always did, and that new suit sure was going to look nice.
The pastor had an old fellow in the church who was really poor. He knew that man would love to have a suit to come to church in. He could give that old fellow his old suit.
So, he took his suit, carried it over to the poor old fellow, who he knew would surely appreciate a suit. But, rather than giving the old fellow a hand-me-down suit, he handed the man that brand new suit. Afterall, wasn't he worth having a new suit? My father felt that the old fellow needed it more than he did.

The hymn writer says: Give of your best to the master.

So, how do you share all your blessings with others? What is your mindset in serving and giving to others?

Challenging? I suppose, but as the books in heaven are opened, what will the Lord have written down about how you give to others?
Acts 20:35b Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
pastor al

01/14/2026

Been spending days going through years of music, including cantata music, split-channel music, and gospel group music.
A person could spend the rest of their lives deciding what to discard, listen to, or put back in the cabinet to listen to before Gabriel blows the final trumpet.
Oh yes, the memories of choirs, trumpet specials, singing duets with my daughter, weddings, funerals, revivals, and those " I can remember when" :)
Does anyone remember what a cassette tape is? I have some if you need them :)
Music is good for the mind, body, and soul !!!!
I've been blessed over the years with some tremendous patient piano players! Sure miss those days!
Someday, we will sing in a heavenly choir again, to the ONE who deserves all praise, honor, and glory.
Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.

01/12/2026

Are you going through a very difficult storm in your life right now?
I have had to sing, hum, or whistle this song quit a few times in last few months. Sometimes we have to remember what God has told us and tune the devil out.
From one of my favorite groups...

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and in holy array. 1 Chronicles...

12/30/2025

Ever experienced being "rejected"? Most of us have in some form or another. Some of us may even recall the event that occurred over 50 years ago, or maybe even this year.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the coming Messiah would be rejected and not only that, but he would also be despised.
Isaiah 53:3a says: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:"
As we close out the year, it is a good time to put all those feelings of rejection behind us. It is a great time to leave it in 2025 and move on to a joyful 2026.
We usually do not equate our Lord taking upon himself the rejection and the pain we as his adopted children carry. But the good news is, Jesus suffered and died so that we might have an abundant life.
Thank HIM for not only sins forgiven but for carrying our own rejections of the past and all the pain we have carried far too long. Remember that by His stripes we are healed and the peace that comes from his forgiveness and healing. PTL
pastor al