By now every school district is back in session. that means getting the kids on the bus, packing lunches, homework, and PTA meetings. Many of us are confident in our schools and school districts. However, the largest school district in our metropolitan area is going through a great transition. As a result of financial troubles the KCMO school district has closed several schools and laid off a lot of teachers. The KCMO school district superintendent has to have one of the hardest jobs in the country.

Even if you are not a part of the district please keep the administrators, teachers, students, and parents of the district in your prayers. Remember you are your brother’s/sister’s keeper.

Dr. 3

As many of you know St. James has been without air in the sanctuary for 2 weeks. As a result of the heat our computers system kept malfunctioning. Thus, we were unable to broadcast our worship celebrations online. We now have air and you can now view worship online.

When I made the decision last week to have the air repaired before we had the money to do it, I acted purely on faith. St. James is God’s Church and the bible teaches that, “…the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” It was belief in the knowledge that God protects, nurtures, and provides for God’s Church that helped me to move forward.

We asked for a special collection on Sunday to help pay for the unexpected cost of repair our air conditioning units. The people of God responded and we received more than enough to pay for it in full. What I learned from this experience more than anything is the importance of walking by faith an not by sight.

Thank God for God’s goodness and mercy.

Dr. 3

This past weekend my family and I were in Chicago for our family reunion. While there we were fortunate to go to theatre to watch “Everyone Dies…” One portion of the play showed a radical Christian group talking about non-believers going to hell.

One reason some people are turned off by Christianity is because they think we revel in saying who is going to hell. Personally, I like to leave that up to God since I don’t have a heaven or hell to put anyone in. While not all Christians are quick to send people to hell that is a perception out in the world.

My belief is that we share the good news by talking about God’s love not by scaring people into believing.

Those are just my thoughts.

Dr. 3