Pastor's Blog

Yesterday I listened to a sermon by a pastor friend who shared these words with his congregation in reference to it being Mother's Day. May we be blessed by the writer's contribution.

There is no other person who plays a greater role in the development of a child than their mother. For nine months a mother carries within her body her precious baby, providing everything essential for life.

After labor and delivery this woman becomes a mother through the miracle of birth. From infancy onward it is our mothers who nurture us, care for us and love us unconditionally. Mothers are women of great faith and emotional strength. Very few of us can comprehend the difficulty and the challenge of motherhood. It is something understood and shared among women only.

Mothers are to be respected and valued for the significant role they play in making a house a home and in creating what we call a family. And giving their children roots and wings. Of all the things a mother does, one of the greatest gifts she can pass on to her children is her faith in God. A child needs to grow up with a sense of purpose, belief and hope. When a mother loves her children, she surrounds them with feelings of safety peace and confidence. And as a mother prays for her children, she blesses her child in a way unimaginable. A mother is a rock, and an anchor with a tender hug and a loving smile.

And as parents we cannot control the destiny of our children; we cannot determine which way the wind will blow; but we can have influence on the setting of their sails. Thank God for mothers who loved us enough to impart values and virtues that have served us well as adults and on this day we honor every mother for her great sacrifices and commitment. Today we say: "Thank you, mom."

(Captain Peter Strong, chaplain serving in Iraq)


Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.


Together in Christ,

Pastor Orval Wirkkala

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:11-19

Yesterday, May 7, 2009, was the National Day of Prayer across our great land of America and many of us had the blessed privilege to gather together with other members of the body of Christ from other congregations for the purpose of prayer for our nation. Our local gathering this year was held at the First Baptist Church in Cokato where we sang hymns of thanksgiving, of praise, of teaching and of intercession. Pastor Dan Swanson spoke briefly upon the above scripture and especially pointed out that there are not only six weapons by which we stand fast upon, but rather that there are seven! Yes, count em! If we count six,

1) they are the belt of truth;
2) the breastplate of righteousness;
3) the feet which bring the gospel of peace;
4) the shield of faith,
5) the helmet of salvation,
6) and the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

Pastor Dan pointed out that in reality there are indeed seven weapons. Read further at verse 18. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," Eph 6:18-19

He challenged us on this National Day of Prayer to remember that the battle is the Lord's and that this is a spiritual warfare that is taking place in our world today. May we hear the message of the Lord which was spoken through his servant and remember to avail ourselves of the seventh weapon that God has gifted us with so that we would have power with God and with men.

For the sake of His glory and honor, may we heed this call to prayer today!

Together in Christ,

Pastor Orval Wirkkala