A lifetime in in Redding comes to a close

Farewell Feast (Potluck) Send off the Burroughs / Officer family After Serving in the Redding area for over 30 years the Lord has called them to the Pensacola Florida area When: May 28th 2012 from 1pm-5pm Where: Caldwell Park Pavilion (between the trestle and diestelhorst bridge) What to Bring: Side dish, and Entrée BBQ (will be provided) Condiments, plates, napkins, tea, and water will be provided. This may be your final opportunity to say thank you and hear more about the ministry in Florida An offering box available to assist the family with moving expenses PRAYER AREAS: We need a 5 bedroom 3 bath home in the Pensacola area Funds to cover the cost of moving $10,000 Complete and clear direction for the ministry

Day 230 “The battle is won yet we must continue to fight.”

Day 230 Matthew 27:15-23 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” The people cry out for the murderer to be released, choosing a man who has killed innocent friends, neighbors, and relatives, in order that another innocent man may be put to death. Make sense? The trial, punishment, and crucifixion of Christ will never make sense or seem justifiable to reasonable people; however, it was the will of God, all for our sake. The actions of the people do little more than to reinforce the extreme love that God has for us, because their actions were the very essence of the moral nature of humanity and very predictable. People like to be liked; they want to fit in. We humans desire to have our own way and seek instant gratification, often not feeling the remorse for wrong or hurtful choices until long after the adrenaline has worn off, and then, well, it's too late to change things. Pilate and his wife were removed from the emotion of this event, and by being so, they were able to see the senseless nature of the actions of these people, yet even then, out of fear of retribution, loss of power, or comfort, they chose to allow the mob to rule. Today I was reading an article on gang activity in the metropolitan areas of the United States, and as I read it, I could not help but feel sorry for those who had fallen into the trap of desiring to belong, fitting in or being liked, willing to take innocent lives, and for what? to move up the ladder? to have people fear them? to have respect? for money? How senseless and foolish is it that our youth are being stolen away in neighborhoods all over this land and throughout the world because of the need to fit in–or a sense of belonging? They have been conditioned to believe that nothing else matters except for protecting your own, making money, and belonging, even to the point of death. Before you get down on the gangs, the Jews, and the youth, let's look at another similar case of a choice made with questionable motivation: the election of President Obama. Sure, he is a nice enough man, one who professes to be a Christian, yet the first day he was in power he voted to shut down the terrorist detention facility in Guantanamo, reversed a number of bills signed by the former president that limited abortion funding all over the world, and much more. That morning on ABC news, the reporter said that “President Obama, in his first day of office, has changed the morality of the White House by reversing most of George Bush's moral policies.” I don' care for political discussions, and I have no political aspirations, because, quite honestly, the majority of people do not want to hear or see the truth; it makes them uncomfortable; therefore, I am only quoting the things I have heard. We say ‘what a shame; how can this be?’ The answer, again, is quite simple. We, like the people who sent Christ to the cross, are in a constant battle, one that will not be easily won, yet we know we will prevail through Christ Jesus our Lord. Daily Prayer: Father, may we never follow the mob and always seek to please You; may You be our moral compass. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “The battle is won yet we must continue to fight.” Gene Burroughs, Pastor

Day 229 “Sometimes the best defense is no offense.”

Day 229 Matthew 27:11-13 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. The primary accusation against Jesus by the chief priest and elders was His proclamation as “King of the Jews” or messiah, an issue that truly was of no consequence to the Roman rulers. Their only issue would have been if Jesus were leading a revolt or had political aspirations that would threaten Roman rule. The reality was that Pilate marveled at Jesus for His strength, conviction, and lack of hostility in the midst of what was obviously a trumped up charge with dire consequences. In the face of certain death and obviously innocent of all charges, Jesus offered no defense. He knew this had to be done, and He had willed and purposed to walk with as much dignity and honor as He physically was able to. In recent days, I have been sharing stories of my past in order that I might stir within others similar instances in their own lives or in lives of those they have known. In some cases, it may even be what some are going through or will be in the future. Either way, the intent is always to assist and help others but never to complain about past injustices; quite honestly, that is not how I would see them. You see, what we go through and the lessons we learn, they are what make us who we are. If we keep them to ourselves, they benefit us and others by our actions, yet if we can share the stories of how we have been blessed, then possibly others can weather their storms with more ease and peace. For some of you out there, you have been convicted of crimes, injustices, or actions that you have not committed. How did you handle them? Was your approach one that cast doubt on everyone else or was yours one that allowed the will of God and your faith in Him to be the focus? No one wants to be convicted of things they are innocent of, yet how easily we forget about those things we should have been convicted of and that the mercy of God has allowed us grace. None of us could fully pay the price for our mistakes. It is impossible to do so and, thankfully, God does not require that we do. So, maybe the next time you feel like you are being unjustly accused, it would be beneficial to ask God how He would have you react and then take it from there. It may be that He just wants a little help to fulfill His will for someone else, or yes maybe even you. Daily Prayer: Father, may we not be so quick to defend ourselves when wrongly accused and more apt to seek your will in every situation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “Sometimes the best defense is no offense.” Gene Burroughs Pastor

“Forgiveness brings healing and new life; bitterness leads to hopelessness and death.”

Day 228 Matthew 27:3-10 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.” If it were not for the seriousness of the subject matter, this passage would make me laugh. The money was taken from the treasury to pay for the blood of a man, yet now it is considered tainted because of that blood. And while the actions of the man who was deceived are considered treacherous, the actions of those who carried out the deception are considered righteous. Here, again, we have more proof that people who purpose to do evil will always justify their action, no matter what the truth is. Judas, even though he had committed a heinous act, finally came to his senses and realized that he was wrong, yet these religious leaders stood firm and actually turned the tables on Judas. He had been foolish enough to believe them, and now he was no longer of use to them. Over and over again in this world I see far too often a very similar pattern in both business and unfortunately, occasionally, in ministry: one day everyone is your friend and you can do no wrong; the next day no one seems to desire your company. The tragedy is that all too often it can seem like your value is based upon what you have to offer to those around you. You see, no matter how we slice it, people by their sin born nature can seem to be in fellowship with us under false pretenses. However the true reality is this is never the case with Jesus, He loves us under all pretenses, in all circumstances and He never throws us out like used garbage. Our true value must come from the one who gave all He had for you, why? Because you are valuable to Him; yes, far more than just thirty pieces of silver, you are worth His innocent blood. Have you let go or are you still trapped by the hurt and pain caused by unfulfilled expectations? Judas solved his hurt and pain by hanging himself, and the people who used him didn't even care, yet had Judas become a mighty man of God as a result of his sin, those leaders would have regretted the day they met him. All Judas had to do was realize the power of repentance and forgiveness! How about you can you realize that power and walk in it, fulfilling God’s true calling for you? Daily Prayer: Father, may I never get caught up in the bindings of bitterness and unforgiveness. Teach me, Lord, the value of forgiveness, and may I expect no more of anyone else than I am able to give myself. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “Forgiveness brings healing and new life; bitterness leads to hopelessness and death.” Gene Burroughs, Pastor