P.D. Weekly Email

Hello Great Family,

Welcome to Labor Day weekend! Labor Day exists to recognize the social and economic contributions of workers to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. In short, to honor the workers. Today, I want to honor the servants who serve their Savior at Oakwood Community Church.

I had the privilege of growing up in a family that served the Lord. Often, I hear people say, "I was raised in the church". What they mean to convey is that they went to church regularly and it was a big part of their childhood. I, however, was literally raised in the church. We went to church on Sunday (Sunday School, Worship Service, Choir Practice, and Evening Service). My Dad led the bus ministry so I was there early on Sunday to start those miserable busses and fill them with gas to go pick up hundreds of children for Sunday School. That was just Sunday! Monday through Friday I attended the Christian school in the church building. I was there early in the morning through sports practice into the evening. We also attended Tuesday night visitation and Wednesday night prayer meeting. To top it all off, we woke up every Saturday to go on bus visitation (walking up and down streets, knocking on doors to invite children to ride the bus to church the next day). All that doesn't include special events, youth group and church fellowships (we were Baptist, so we had lots of fellowships). I literally grew up in the church facility more than in my house.

Why such devotion and sacrifice? My Mom and Dad got saved and gave their lives to Jesus. They believed that being saved by grace was a gift you could not earn. They also believed that the joy of their salvation was expressed by acts of service for Jesus. My parents are church heroes that labored and sacrificed for others without pay or recognition because they were committed to Jesus and His church. Love is the proper response when receiving undeserved love lavished upon you.

All of this makes me think of all of you who are serving your Savior at Oakwood out of love. I want to thank you for your hard work and devotion to the great family of Oakwood. Without you, we would fail but with you we are blessed beyond measure. You might think you go unnoticed and unappreciated but I see you. I see you serving relentlessly. I see you giving your time, talent, and treasure to work of God at Oakwood. I see you showing up early and staying late. I see you answering the call for helpers needed. I see you participating when it is time to give above and beyond for a project or special need. I see you shepherding our children down in the basement. I see you changing diapers in the nursery. I see you keeping our great family safe by staring at a monitor and putting yourself between everyone and potential harm. I see you making coffee. I see you playing your instruments and leading others in worship. I see you trying to make technology work smoothly. And on and on and on and on I could go. I see YOU!

Just like I saw my Mom and Dad serve the Lord and the effect it had on my life, I see you serving the Lord and it blesses my soul. So, Happy Labor Day weekend. 

1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

God Bless,
P.D. (Psalm 139)