by Pastor Betzer | 21 Comments »
I have been asked by so many to blog that I have finally acquiesced and with the help of Alex Quinonez start today. Actually it’s a good day to start because so many exciting things are happening. Several of them are personal in our family. What a thrill it was yesterday to drive to the airport, along with granddaughter Brooke, and greet our arriving son David, his wife, Janis, and their two children Daniel and Hope. They are now home for a year of furlough from the mission field where they have served in Africa for the past 14 years. They are long overdue for a rest from their ardors and I am thrilled they’re home. They are living in the First Assembly missions house behind the church. Second, I cannot tell you the joy in my heart with the news from our youngest daughter who has been hired as the new Lee County Director for The American Cancer Society. Wow, that’s tall cotton!
So….how come I’m still in Ft. Myers and not in Springfield, Missouri, at the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God session? Blame it on Delta!! When I got to the ticket counter, the bedraggled agent told me that the flight was hours late which meant I would miss my connector in Atlanta and maybe I couldn’t even get there the next day. So with David coming home from Africa and being extremely weary personally I thought, “Hey, I’m just going to take three days off and rest.” It’s wonderful!!
My precious wife Darlene gets home tomorrow from her family reunion in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Sixty of her family members were there for a weekend of rest, relaxing, and remembering. I’ll be very, very glad when she’s home ’cause I’m getting very weary of Cheerios.
Two weeks from today, Lord willing, I’ll be in Cuba, traveling for five days from one end of the island to the other (about 850 miles). Cuba will be our Peninsular District missions project in 2009. It is our God-given goal to raise $3 million in our district next year as we “adopt” Cuba as our sister ministry. I am truly anticipating this outreach. Pray with me for its success, won’t you?
So….I am now a blogger. Somehow I feel younger. If anyone in this whole wide world has read this, let me know, will you?
Pastor Betzer
August 15th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Pastor Betzer…keep blogging! Reading your entry is like hearing your voice…I can’t wait for the next installment! By the way, congratulations on the hole in one!
August 15th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Dear Pastor, Sorry you missed your flight but very happy to see you get some rest! I am sure many will read your blog and be blessed by it…
August 15th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Well now Dan, your first blog!? and now I join that “club” as this my first blog. And they say, ya can’t teach old dogs new tricks. I figured if it made you feel younger, count me in! LOL. Should we tell “Louie”?
August 15th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Pastor Betzer! You’re a blogger? Well, I do believe in miracles! This is just great! And yes, I’m one of the many who have, or will read, your blogs.
Now, I had to leave a comment here regarding those Cheerios. Pastor Dan… there’s Mickey D’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner… or if you’re targeting a healthier lifestyle, Subway sandwiches are great for lunch and Chinese Anything for dinner.
Then again, I’m sure the ladies of the church could have offered to prep a “one-a-day” meal plan for you.
Oy vey!
Looking forward to more interesting articles from The Pastor’s Pen.
Blessings…
Michelle (soon-to-be FAMFM member)
August 15th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Our good Lord must have known you needed a rest.
You certainly deserve it.
This is a great idea. Thanks!
August 15th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Pastor Dan,
So glad you are a blogger and we will look forward to receiving your interesting & enlightening words of wisdom. It will be like getting “Byline” once again, but better. We have missed those emails so much. I pray for First Assembly, and especially the missions program,everyday. I know God will continue to bless you as you labor in His vineyard for His glory.
Sincerely
August 16th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Pastor Betzer . . . how thrilled I was to have read your “blogs”. How I miss hearing your sermons and seeing you and Darlene! I am now living in Georgia for a season. The Lord is doing wonderful miracles in my daughter’s (Shannon)life. His favor and blessings are awesome. The Lord has given her a heart for single moms and now she will teach a class soon. I want to say “thank you” for your obedience and commitment to our Lord and Savior. I continue to pray for you, Darlene and family as well as the pastoral staff at First Assembly. How wonderful to have your children home with you. God Bless you all and I hope to see you soon. Congratulations on the publication of your book!
August 16th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Pastor Betzer,
I enjoyed reading about your “Hole in One”. Congratulations! I”m glad you are blogging. I’m a winter resident,and enjoy being in church then, but while we are up north, it is nice to hear what’s going on there.
August 16th, 2008 at 2:53 am
I have to agree I can hear you voice as I read the entries. Welcome to the 21 century. I am so happy you decided to do this, I love the idea of getting to know you better through your writings. God Bless You!
August 16th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Welcome to the world of blog!
Thanks for inviting us. -J
August 16th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Hi Pastor Betzer!
So nice to read your blogs! We also listen to First Assembly on-line. It’s like being home. Ministry here in Japan is incredible! We have you to thank for us being here. We owe you alot! You and Darlene will always be in our thoughts and prayers!
Blessings!
August 16th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Pastor Dan , great to have this way of communicating. Must admit that I could not get the “subscribe” site for some reason. We miss our church in FL so very much but return in OCT.
About the hole – in – one …remember “pride” can be sinful ….. having said that …I’ve had 2 !!!!!!! and am a 20 handicap !
God Bless
August 16th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
WAY TO GO PASTOR BETZER!!!!!! Now…what’s a blog? If you’re involved in it. It’s gotta be good and blessed. And that,my pastor,is good enough for me and my house!
August 17th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
WOW!…YOUR BLOGGING??? Will miracles never cease. What a great way to keep in touch with you daily. Sorry, you missed out on Blue Eye, MO…yeah, yeah, we were there again for a week…hehe. But, happy you got the deserved REST!…and that David and family are home for a long stay.
Missed 3 weeks of Wednesday night study and we are having “withdrawal” symptoms.
Blessings and Favor to you and Darlene…..LOVE Bend, OR!
August 17th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Glad you have joined Darlene in the blogging world. I have enjoyed reading her posts for some time now. If you need a pointer or two–ask Darlene.
Just kidding you,Pastor. Your blog is great. Thanks for doing it.
“I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” Isaiah 43:19 The Message
SC
August 17th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hi Apostle Betzer!!!
Welcome to the world of ‘the blog’. This will be fun, I just know it. It will be great to have another avenue to “hear” your thoughts. You are my mentor (I know, you may not recognise me from Adam), but that the price you have to pay for your status as a primier Missionary Statesman. If I can be twenty-five percent as effective as you in motivating people to reach the world for Jesus, I would feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Blessings on you. Keep the blogs coming.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Pastor, You never cease to amaze me. “Blog on for Christ”-
In His Service, Holly
August 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Thanks Pastor! Since we are now in Tampa,it is good to here you again. You are an inspiration to us all. God HAS blessed you and FAMFM. What a blessing!
In Jesus’ Name!
Brad and Stacey
August 19th, 2008 at 12:32 am
WOW………..what would Jesus blog??? W.W.J.B. just kiddin’ You are cutting edge!! God bless you and your computer!!
August 20th, 2008 at 2:36 am
I am gone on vacation for 3 weeks & when I come back, I find that my Pastor has become a blogger!! You rock, Pastor!! It’s like getting ByLine, only better
Blessings, Linda
September 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Wow Pastor Betzer, you BLOG! I have’nt even done that and I am only 52! Congrats on Darla’s job. I’m in choir with her and she is quite a gal, I don’t know her very well, but what I’ve seen is great and I know she gets it all from you!!! I hear Darlene is having surgery on her back, May God heal her very quickly!!! GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!!