Category Archives: Family

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart (Part 2)

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Yesterday I shared with you how grateful I am for my LOBC church family.  Today, I want to talk about the two people who mean the world to me—my parents.

As far back as I can remember my parents have been teaching me about Jesus. Every evening we would turn off the T.V. and have a family time of Bible study and prayer.  They simply sat us down and read the Bible with my brother, sister, and I.  They made sure we understood that God’s love for us would never end and that He would meet all our needs.  After Bible study, we would say our prayers together.  My parents didn’t make us learn prayers that sounded all “churchy.”  They told us just to talk honestly to God sharing our needs, fears, concerns, but mostly to thank, praise, and worship Him.

Another lesson they taught me was responsibility.  I had chores that were my responsibility, and if I didn’t do them, they wouldn’t get done.  I was to complete my chores in the proper amount of time and with the right kind of attitude.  Trust me, it never paid to complain about my chores (I’ll let you figure out what happened when I complained).  My chores were also to be done to the best of my ability.  I was never allowed to do a job half-way.  In today’s standards all this may sound harsh, but they taught me lessons I am still applying today.  Everyday I try to do my best at my job; taking a sick day doesn’t happen unless I just can’t get out of bed.  I believe that my work is a direct reflection of my character, so I want everyone to know me by the work I do.  Besides, one of the Bible verses my parents taught me was Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do it as to the Lord Jesus.”  If I am working for Him, He knows when I am slacking off!

I also learned about commitment from watching my parents.  They have been married for forty-eight years.  They made a commitment to God to love each other no matter what, and they have stuck with it.  They have had lots of difficulties throughout the years, but they never gave up.  Through financial struggles, sickness, family loss, crippling injuries, and even getting older they have managed to stay together and still love each other in spite of the difficulties.  Their commitment even stretched to them fulfilling a promise—they never backed out of a promise.  No matter how difficult, they always kept their word.

The greatest lesson I learned from my parents is to just be myself.  Mom and Dad never tried to act like someone they weren’t.  They have always been down-to-earth and were never ashamed of who they were.  They never looked down on others because they had less, nor did they envy others who had more.  They were always happy for those who were blessed with more and were willing to help those who had less.  They taught me that it is okay to be Bob Pittenger.

So today, I want to honor my mom and dad.  I am so thankful that in God’s divine plan He allowed me to be the son of Bob and Geri Pittenger!  Mom and Dad I love you and want to thank you for everything you have taught me over the years!

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart

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“Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God has done…” Every Thanksgiving I think about this wonderful old hymn and try to think specifically about the blessings from God.  With that in mind let me share a few of the blessings that have meant the most to me this year.

First off, I am so thankful for my church family.  On more than one occasion this year I have watched as they demonstrated the love of Christ to others in need. They have taken meals to someone who was recovering from surgery or to a family who had just lost a loved one. They have helped some of the senior adults by mowing their lawns, cutting wood, and repairing things around the house.  We’ve even had a couple of members give a car to someone in need.

They also reached out to our community to make a difference. For example, they adopted an elementary school here in town and provided school supplies for all the teachers; cooked hot dogs for the parents, students, and teachers during the “Meet the Teacher” night; as well as giving each child a back-pack.  When the movie “Courageous” came out, they raised money to rent out two theaters and gave away over 400 tickets so people could enjoy the movie for free.

They also focused on people outside our community. They collected items for newborns and donated them to the Hope Pregnancy Center.  They blessed the Owasso Home for Children with money to buy back-to-school clothing. They sent money to Samaritan’s Purse to provide goats, chickens, and even dig a well in a poor community overseas.

There are way too many things this loving family has done this year for me to mention them all; however, let me tell about my favorite. Each year, we have a church Thanksgiving meal the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  We invite the community to come and celebrate the holiday with us.  Afterward, we give needy families a basket with everything they will need for a decent Thanksgiving meal.  It is always heart warming to see our church family sitting with and getting to know the many visitors we have in attendance.  It is equally special to see the gratitude on the faces of those who bless us by receiving a basket.

Living Oaks Baptist Church is filled with kind people who just want to make a difference.  They want people to experience first-hand the love of Christ Jesus.  They want them to know that once you enter into a relationship with Him your life will never be the same. They love because Jesus first loved them!

In just a few weeks I will be celebrating seven years as the pastor of this wonderful church.  It is privilege to be a part of such a wonderful family.  I can not begin to tell you of all the ways they have blessed me.  They have been there during terrible losses, great pain and suffering, discouragement, as well as the times of celebration.  They have shown over and over again that they are Jesus’ disciples by the way they love one another and by the way they love me!

So, the first blessing for which I am thankful that I want to share with you is the people who make up Living Oaks Baptist Church.  Thank you LOBC!  I love you and I am eternally grateful that you allow me to be your pastor, brother in Christ, and your friend!

What Are You Excited About?

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For those that are unaware, my son is seven years old and in the second grade.  He is a huge fan of the movies “Cars” and “Cars 2.”  As soon as he gets out of school today, he is going to buy a copy of the DVD “Cars 2.”  He has been marking days off the calendar, counting down to the release of the DVD.  He found out that some of his friends had not seen the movie, so he is going to have them over to watch it with him.

Now, having several seven-year-old boys at my house to watch a movie really isn’t that big of a deal; however, William decided they all need to stay the night.  He and mom have planned out the whole evening: make homemade pizzas, play games out in the backyard, and then the main event–WATCH THE MOVIE!  He is so excited about his friends getting to see his favorite movie.  I keep waiting for him to ask me if we can buy a copy for everyone that will be attending (at last count there are a total of eight boys from ages five to seven).

It is energizing to see his excitement to share something so important to him with his friends.  It is also a bit convicting when I compare it to my lack of communicating to my friends, family, or acquaintances those things which are so important to me.  What would happen if I spent as much time telling others of what is the most important thing in my life.  What if I invited them over to watch a movie that changed my life?  What if I bought them a copy of my favorite book? What if I told them the story of a man who saved my life? What would happen if I was as excited about Jesus as my son is about the movie “Cars 2?”

I am a pastor, and I spend a great deal of time studying, sharing, and imitating Jesus; however, I often wonder is this a job or a passion?  I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.  I love standing before people on Sundays and sharing from the overflow of what Jesus has taught me that week from the Bible.  I enjoying sitting down with someone and listening to their trials, troubles, and tribulations in order to help them find the right direction or just give them a comforting word from God’s Word.  I am thrilled to go door-to-door sharing the good news of Jesus with those who will listen.  I enjoy using the resources God has given me to help others in need.  Never-the-less, I never want people to get the impression that I am only doing this because it is my job.

Over the last few months I have been addressing this concern, to make sure that I am preaching, teaching, praying, sharing, and ministering from a heart that is overflowing with a love for Jesus–a heart that cannot wait to tell others of what Jesus has done in my life today.  A heart that wants everyone to experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus!  A heart consumed with the belief that there is no other away to the Father in heaven but by Jesus (the Jesus of the Holy Bible).  I want my excitement to be seen and heard.

I Threw Away My Wedding Ring Today | Real Life. Real God.

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I read this article last night and liked it so much I sent it to my wife. This morning I decided I wanted to share it with you. I hope this brings back wonderful memories that you can continue to build on regardless of how long it has been since you first said, “I love you” to your spouse.

I Threw Away My Wedding Ring Today | Real Life. Real God..