Old Time Methodist Church

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

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Maybe you are going through a challenging time right now and cannot understand the whys. Most of us have been there or are in the midst of a battle right now.
We can be thankful that we have a God who stands with us even when we don't understand, even when it seems He is on a holiday.
Our faith in Christ says God is always present and He never forgets His own children.
Isaiah 55:8, which says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord".
So take heart, my friends, and be thankful. Put your faith into action today and say: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Remember, even a little faith is better than no faith at all!
pastor al 2025

08/05/2025

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the church campground. The children had practiced their songs and memorized their verse all week, and now they stood on the platform smiling ear to ear as they recited their week-long work.
Sitting beside me in the tabernacle, a single dad watched his 9-year-old daughter, beautifully dressed and with a big smile on her face, sing the songs and recite her verse.
It was a beautiful moment, but within hours, the 49-year-old father would slip out into eternity. All of us were surprised, perplexed, and sad, but the natural causes of his body said enough.
I preached his funeral to a standing room only crowd. I knew a lot of his family, and a lot of friends, would only wonder why, and why him? Many of them listened as the urgency of being in right standing with God was preached.
It seemed that God had orchestrated the bible verse, not only for the kids that week but also for this occasion.
It is found in Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Those words of Trusting the Lord and Leaning on Him are such powerful Words. Our understanding can be so limited, even as followers of Jesus. We know all must die and face the judgment, but the timing very seldom feels like it is the right time.
The message is clear: we need to be ready at all times. Today, make sure your name is written down in the Lamb's Book of Life.
The urgency is not tomorrow ( a device of Satan to cause your delay in obtaining eternal life), but the urgency is today.
Are you ready to stand before God? What will He say to you when you do?
1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

pastor al

04/05/2025

As I grow older I found out that I am shrinking. I am not as tall as I used to be. I joke around a little and say; "Save those high-water blue jeans, I will eventually shrink into them"
Even though that is the case in our physical lives, we do not have to shrink in our love for God and His Word. We do not have to diminish in our fellowship with him or our passion for the Kingdom of God. As long as we are alive, God has a purpose for us to fulfill.
It would have been easy for the apostle Paul to throw in the towel and call it quits. He was in prison, beaten, berated, and the list goes on just because Jesus was his Lord. But Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit these words in Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus".
Never give up and keep the faith. Jesus can be trusted to see you through until you reach the finish line and step into eternity.

Be blessed today and Press On!
pastor al

01/13/2025

1/12/25 It was a great day worshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Seeing the young teenager in person that God has answered prayer for was beautiful. Even though Rees has a long way to go in his major cancer treatment, our healing Jesus continues to work. Lord willing, in a couple months the family will be able to return to Thailand and the doctors there will continue with his treatment which will go on for many many months. Thank you for all the prayers for this family. We are reminded that God is a prayer answering GOD! Have a blessed week and never give up on the verge of a miracle. Keep praying, keep the faith in the ONE who cares and hears the cries of his spiritual children. 1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Pastor al

11/07/2024

For Nov 2024
Read Mark 10:17-21
The man had accumulated great wealth. He was likely a man who lived a very privileged life. He was likely a very good person and even kept the listed commandments in his desire to please God. He even acknowledged Jesus with humility and honor as he knelt before him with a question.
The question was, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?".
If you think about that question, you may find yourself asking that very same question. There is something in each of our souls that seeks more than just good works, living a good life, and having wealth or fame. We find a longing for something more to fill that unfulfilled void in our soul.
What would you give up for eternal life? Everything? Maybe 50% of what you have accumulated or maybe, 10%?
Jesus told that man to sell "everything" and give the proceeds to the poor and then come and follow him. (would you do that yourself for eternal life?)
As you read that encounter that day, we find that the man's god of wealth was more than he was willing to part with. He went away with a hole in his soul holding tightly to this worlds goods.
The simple truth is that God does not share with the little gods of mankind. He is God and God alone. He said it this way, "You shall have no other gods before me."
IF that man had done as Jesus said, what would his life have been like? A leading disciple or maybe even an apostle?
Here is the ironic part of that whole encounter. In a short time, death would call his name. All those possessions he held on to, he would leave. Leaving everything he had accumulated to others.
To gain the world and lose your own soul is a sad commentary of a persons life. It is such a sad and terrible eternal ending.
What is Jesus asking you to do today? What gods do you have in your life that take precedence over loving and serving GOD with all your heart, mind, body and soul?
The bible says that "Today" is the day of salvation, and when you find it, it will allow you a heavenly eternity.
What do you have that is more important than your eternity?
Be in right standing with God through Jesus Christ today and then enjoy his Presence in your life and for all eternity.
I highly recommend it and have found it true in my own life!
be blessed
pastor al