calvary updates 09/18/2026
Robin and I recently went to a nice vacation resort, normally way out of our league or price range. We were able to spend three nights there because we paid an initial deposit and promised to listen to a two hour time-share presentation the day after we arrived. We escaped without buying what the marketers had hoped for, but in the process saw some amazing places I never knew existed. They believe their start up fees are worth every penny because you now have become a privileged member and you can book beautiful places around the world for years to come. A part of their sales pitch says, "By coming to these beautiful places you are making family memories that last a lifetime." The downside to that is I've used up about 70% of mine, 70% of my lifetime, I think! :).
The vacation resorts that I could enjoy had some restrictions. Depending on your membership level you have only so many points to spend in a year. My membership would welcome me only to the resorts offered within their network of business partners. The vacations that I could take would also be limited by the travel costs to get there. I'd love to see Switzerland, but a round trip ticket from O'Hare to Zurich is at least $900.
Switzerland is absolutely gorgeous, but heaven is so much more! Jesus is the one who opened the door for me to be there. He changed my identity, paved the way for adoption into his family and connected me to a heavenly Father who was not willing to let me perish. John 1:12,13: Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
I have been re-born, transformed from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 5:16, 17: So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Because of that transformation I now live in as new person. I am not who I used to be. I now live, or a least I seek to live, with the view of an eternal home that is soon to come. John 14:1-3: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
The amazing thing is that in addition to all this I never have a check out date. My "points" are never going to run out. Jesus said in Revelation 22:14: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Hallelujeh what a gift this salvation of ours truly is!
Sunday September 20th Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:30 AM.
The message, Salvation Documentation from I John 3.
We have two options in our Sunday School to encourage you. Come a little early and enjoy a donut and a cup of "joe."
Song you will hear this Sunday
Every Praise: Hezekiah Walker
Flourish, Tuesday, September 22nd, 10-12 noon
Prayer, Wednesday, September 23rd, 5:30-6:30 PM
Alpha Training, Thursday, October 1st, 5:30-7 PM
Men's Breakfast, Saturday, October 4th, 8:30 AM
Harvest Festival, Friday, October 9th, 5:30 PM
Today's readings were: 2 Samuel 14•2 Corinthians 7 | Ezekiel 21•Psalm 68. If you are looking for a different reading plan, you might enjoy:
What about the believers response in 2 Corinthians 7 gave Paul great joy?
Thanks for checking in with us!
In Jesus joy,
Pastor Frank Winfrey
cell: 309-645-9621
Comments