The Idea of Resurrection / Amplified (As Things Really Are)

As Jesus-believers, the idea of Resurrection is, indeed, most essential to our hope. I love these words from God’s Word as recorded by the Apostle Paul, in the Amplified Bible:

"Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain [useless, amounting to nothing], and your faith is also vain [imaginary, unfounded, devoid of value and benefit--not based on truth]. We are even discovered to be false witnesses [misrepresenting] God, because we testified concerning Him that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised, either; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and powerless [mere delusion]; you are still in your sins [and under the control and penalty of sin]. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. But now [as things really are] Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, [and He became] the first fruits [that is, the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body, foreshadowing the resurrection] of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. For since [it was] by a man that death came [into the world], it is also by a Man that the resurrection of the dead has come. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive." ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:12-22‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Let us rejoice "as things really are," yes, in the reality of the Resurrection of our Redeemer, Who has surely also purchased our never-dying souls from sin, death, and Hell. Hallelujah!

A Resurrection Celebration Song: 

https://youtu.be/nGncW_ueyHA

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Time Flies. Eternity Approaches.

It would be an understatement to say I personally get sentimental during the holidays. To be unplugged a few days with my immediate family, while fire-logs are glowing in the background always makes my heart tender and my eyes misty. 

It is a great mystery to me just considering how rapidly time flies. Just thinking about the quick passage of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, and even decades, astounds and confounds my human mind.

I am thankful I am a Jesus-believer because that’s the only way I can ever hope to overcome the overwhelming feelings that come along with the rapid passage of time on earth. Yes, in the face of the stark reality that cries out: "Time flies," I hold tightly onto a marvelous, wonder-filled, truth that tops time -- "Eternity approaches."

Two victorious verses penned by The Apostle Paul in the New Testament hold me strongly:

(1) Philippians 1:21 -- For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

(2) 2 Corinthians 5:8 -- To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 

So, it is written, "Jesus is The Life!" And it is also written on my soul: "Jesus is my Life and my Eternity!" Therefore, whether I am here on earth or there in eternity, all is well! Jesus is Present! For forever and a day!

I feel one of my favorite words of the faith coming on -- "Maranatha!" "Maranatha" is rooted in the final four words of Revelation 22:20 -- "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" In other words, "So what, time surely flies! Exhale! Eternity surely approaches!" As the old-timers used to say: "Things can only get gooder for those of us who belong exclusively to the Good Lord!" 

I am sharing two of my most favorite song links today, just in case you need some eternal perspective while still here on earth.

https://youtu.be/87bx0j8EoYQ

https://youtu.be/wwuZFB758r8

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

My Thanksgiving Day 2019 Simply Described

Awoke at 6 a.m. Back to sleep. Slept-in. Why not? Was up late last night. 

Answered multiple text messages, all blessings from people who love me. (This continued on and off throughout the day. All pleasure.)

Showered.

Dressed very simple and comfortable.

Watched Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv. (We attended the parade in NYC in 2012.)

Made Coffee. Bold roast. Lite creme. Lite Sweetener.

Sausage, egg, mozzarella cheese on low carb toast.

Family relaxing time, as Kim scurries to and fro in the kitchen. She’s in her element.

Watched dog show on tv. Best dog didn’t win, however. Should’ve been the treeing walker coonhound. Yes, I’m biased. I love Lucy.

Constructed and hung new, old, driftwood, shelf in home office. Rearranged office slightly. Mostly filled the new/old shelf with waterfowl decoys out of the garage and Holy Land items meaningful to my memory.

Helped Kim get the turkey in the oven. Anticipating carving the big bird.

Changed bulb in spotlight for our simple, silouette, "Light Your World" manger scene in our front yard. (I did put up minimal yard decorations yesterday. Less is more as our life is now lived mostly on the move these days as district servants. We are blessed.)

Carved the turkey. Sampled it as I carved. Smiled a lot.

Family meal happened around 2 p.m. O my. We are blessed beyond measure. Holding hands and praying at the table as a family of five is a rare and meaningful moment for my heart.

Lucy pup patiently rested her head on my lap as we ate Thanksgiving meal. Yes, she got some turkey. And bread.

Family relaxing time. Watched football on tv.

Photographed Lucy in her Serta dog bed in front of the gas logs.

Coffee, Round 2.

Ate small portion of delicious dessert -- Kim’s pumpkin cheesecake with a caramel pecan glaze and whipped creme.

Cleaned up.

Rest time reconvened.

Wrote my blog. Getting ready to post it. 6:11 p.m. EST.

Looking forward to the Thanksgiving meal leftovers for the next few days.

God’s faithfulness is so very great. And my gratefulness is such a given.

I have been in a spirit of prayer all day long. (Kind of the same as I am every day, but with more Thanksgiving awareness, today, obviously.)

It was a Holy Thanksgiving Family Day, indeed.

I pray you know the undeniable favor as one who lives by faith in the forever-faithful God. Amen.

       

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Four Winds Forecast -- November 27, 2019

(Four Winds Forecast is a monthly newsletter that I send as district servant to the pastors and leaders of the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene. I also post each forecast on my blog for those who would missionally join with us in cherished prayer partnership and/or +cheerful financial support.)

November 27, 2019

Four Winds Forecast

Bountiful blessings to you from your district servant, a debtor:

(I humbly ask each pastor and leader to carefully, prayerfully and thoroughly read this email for possible inspiration, useable information and increased communication. i am Grateful, very. pastor kerry)

Here are two very essential FOUR WINDS Updates:

#1: FOUR WINDS / UPDATE -- Our 2nd Annual District Pastors and Leaders Christmas Gathering will be Saturday, December 14, 2019, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at our Ephrata Grace Point Church. Please save the date. Official detailed invitations have been mailed out from the district office. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so today. The brunch will be bountiful. Trust me. We’ve also got a special, spirited, musician coming, Ricky Murphy, and special speakers are slated: Dr. Jack Connell, our new President at Eastern Nazarene College will greet us and our very own, Pastor Del Bieber, will close us out with stories of Christmas to warm our hearts. Please celebrate the holy days with your district family on this set-aside day. 

#2: FOUR WINDS / UPDATE -- FUNDING THE MISSION! HELP!

Hopefully, all local pastors and treasurers received Melanie Cook’s email letter about Funding the Mission. These words pasted below in quotes from her urgent message got my attention as your district servant. I can only tenderly cry out to you in one word: HELP!

Melanie wrote these words, in part, about Funding the Mission:

"Have you entered income to date?  Have you paid all budgets (WEF, P&B, ENC, District, District NMI, NYI, SDMI)?" It seems some have fallen behind on this necessary reporting. Numbers are lower than they were at this time last year. We need your faithful reporting as well as your faithful giving. Help us end the year accurate and strong and update your statistics as is appropriate for your church. Email or Call me (Melanie Cook) if you need help doing this (484-791-6518 )."

We at the district depend on your partnership. May all who come behind us find us faithful. Pastors, I humbly ask for your best for our King -- Jesus, The Nazarene. I am a debtor to your diligent devotion. Deo Volente. -- pastor kerry 

* Calendar Dates Up Ahead...

NOVEMBER 2019

* Nov. 28, Thursday, THANKSGIVING DAY

DECEMBER 2019

* Dec. 2, Monday, PCDC #3, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / Fairview Village 

* Dec. 14 District Pastors & Leaders Christmas Brunch, Ephrata Grace Point, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Mark your calendars now. Don’t miss Christmas with your District Family.) It’s a Saturday Brunch Celebration!

* Dec. 25, Christmas Day

JANUARY 2020

* Jan. 9, THURSDAY, PCDC #4, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / Fairview Village

* Jan. 14-17, Four Winds Prayer Retreat -- Black Rock Retreat Center, Quarryville, PA

* Jan. 18-19, Pastor Kerry in Revival, Gardners, PA. UMC 

* Jan. 21, Tuesday, DAB, Royersford

* Jan. 26, , Sunday evening, Gethsemane Gatherings, Concerts of Sacred Prayer across the district on each missional zone. Contact your zone leader or Kevin Griffin for information.

FEBRUARY 2020

* Feb. 1, Saturday, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., Familiar Grounds, Pennsville, NJ 

* Feb. 6, THURSDAY, PCDC #4, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / Fairview Village

* Feb. 15, Saturday, Holiness Symposium / Royersford

* Feb. 18, Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PK leading "Lordship Living" Workshop #3: "The Advantage (Season/Campaign) of Lordship/Stewardship" / Royersford

* Feb. 18, Tuesday, DAB, Location TBD

* February 29, Board of Ministry, Royersford 

MARCH 2020

* Mar. 5, THURSDAY, PCDC #5, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / Fairview Village

* March 5, Board of Ministry, 1 p.m. until done. Fairview Village. 

* Mar. 22-24, Pastor Kerry in Revival, Bridgeton, NJ

* Mar. 28, Chaplain’s Luncheon, Noon, Royersford Office, PA

* Mar. 29-Apr. 3, Pastor Kerry in Revival, Bangor, PA

APRIL 2020

* Apr. 1, Wednesday, Pre-School/Day Care Directors Appreciation and Resourcing Day at our Riverside Reading, PA. Church. Details on the way. Please contact Pastor Kerry to get your director on the list for information.

* Apr. 2, THURSDAY, PCDC #5, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / Fairview Village

* Apr. 5, PALM SUNDAY

* Apr. 12, EASTER SUNDAY

* Apr. 23, THURSDAY, Tentative Date Change for DAB Conference Call. 

* Apr. 26-28, Pastor Kerry in Revival, LaVelle, PA

* Apr. 30-May 2, THE GATHERING -- DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS, our Crossroads Church, Lewisburg, PA

* June 28-July 5, 2020 Philadelphia District Campmeeting, Erma Campground, Cape May

You are highly valued and I pray you will be highly favored! Indeed!

+Cheerful financial support -- any above and beyond gifts and/or any year-end charitable giving can be directed to:

District Servant’s Discretionary Fund

Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene

PO Box 259, Royersford, PA. 19468

Or you can give at www.philanaz.org anytime.

Thanks for praying for and caring about the mission of the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene.

Presence Matters Most! 

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

District Superintendent

Philadelphia District 

Church of the Nazarene

Pray everyday with me at 4:44pm specifically for lost souls.

Words in Pictures

Today, the words I share are in pictures...

Presence Matters Most! No Invisible People!

UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis