Mr. Irrelevant?

The term, “Mr. Irrelevant” is used to describe the last person chosen in the NFL football draft. In 2022 a quarterback from Iowa State was selected last, 262nd and received that dubious title. Scouts called him “undersized with only average arm strength.” In his rookie season he was the 3rd string quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers until the two players ahead of him were injured. Then Brock Purdy led the 49ers to 5 victories to finish the season. The next year he led them to the Super Bowl. So much for being “Mr. Irrelevant”! Purdy is a bold follower of Jesus, on and off the field, as is rookie phenom Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, chosen in the first round in 2024. I guess it doesn’t matter what people label you or what round you’re selected, what matters is your relationship with Jesus and His plans for you!

Two thousand years ago, another man was born who many would have considered “irrelevant.” As the wonderful poem, “One Solitary Life”, reminds us; He was born in an obscure village, was a carpenter till He was 30, became an itinerant preacher but only lasted 3 years, never held an office, never had a family, house, or college degree, and never travelled more than 200 miles from His birthplace. And yet...a doubting world would discover that Jesus was God’s wonderful gift to mankind! God-the-Son, the Savior who would live a sinless life, die as a substitute for our sins, rise from the dead, return to heaven, and reign eternally! The long-promised Messiah who would deliver all who would call on, trust in, and cling to Him. All because of a never-ending love for us!

As the busy, and often crazy, “Christmas season” tries to blind us with “Black Friday,” “Cyber Monday,” and more, let’s pause and pull aside to a humble stable in that tiny town of Bethlehem. Let’s kneel before the child in the manger, the Almighty Son of God. The One who gives our lives relevance!

November happenings: November was a more “normal” month for us activity wise. We held our Saturday Evening Worship Services, caught up on home duties, did some pastoral counselling and even slipped away for a few days with family over Thanksgiving. A highlight was our Saturday Evening Worship group packing 119 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child!

Upcoming: Lord willing, we will hold our first ski area Bible study of the season December 2, start our weekly ski area Chapel Services in mid-December, and teach skiing a couple days a week. December 21 our Saturday Night Worship group will sing for the assisted living and nursing homes. In February we will host our 16th annual Evangelical Pastors and Wives prayer and dinner evening. February 26-28 I will help lead worship for the High Ground Men’s Bible/ski retreat in Beaver Creek CO. Your prayers and support allow us to serve in these areas. Thank you!

Finances: I just finished teaching a two-part series on Thanks and Giving (available on video by email if you’re interested). I was reminded of how wonderful and essential these two acts of worship are! Thanksgiving to God opens a wonderful channel of blessings to flow into and through our lives. Giving back to God is a privilege and stewardship entrusted to us by our heavenly Father. Not only does it bless the recipient and those they minister to, but ourselves as we give. A quote comes to mind; “If God can get it through you, He can get it to you.” It’s true, isn’t it?

This month, by God’s grace and your help, we provided Thanksgiving dinner for several families. Next, we will be sending extra support to 20 “alumni” missionaries, pastors of small churches, and missionary widows on your behalf. This is something we try to do twice a year. In the spring we send extra support to help these faithful workers establish or maintain a retirement program or emergency savings. In the fall we send it to help them with any personal needs such as property taxes, medical or children’s needs, or even a time away for a few days. The notes they send back are wonderful reminders of how God uses each gift.

Family: Stephen and Joy (Hannah and Bethan) are doing well in London where Stephen is busy preaching, Joy working as a teacher’s aide, and the girls in school. They may be moving next month to a new parsonage which can be exciting and a “wee bit” traumatic as well. Nick and Rebekah (Kailani) are running the restaurant, and Kai participates in hockey and Kindergarten. Steve and Annie (Samuel and Abigail) are doing well with Steve’s video production work going well as well as Annie’s teaching. Tim and Sara (Elizabeth and Sydney) are keeping busy at work and school in Menefee CA. Tim’s job involves his driving for two hours each way into Los Angeles once a week which can be an “adventure.” Melva and I had satisfactory results on some medical tests. Thank you for your prayers for our family!

Prayer Requests: Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share on Saturday night, at the ski area, and I was just invited to share with a Hispanic church here in town. For the Lord to bless each of the workers we’re supporting. For health, most of our family is fighting bugs of some kind. For my knees to hold up this ski season. My new knee is doing well, the other one is not as well.

Thank You for standing with us. Your prayers truly do sustain us and open doors for the gospel.

O Come Let Us Adore Him, the most relevant person in history!

​Rick and Melva