Central Baptist Church of Westerly
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
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Practice, practice, practice
April 7, 2021
Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt that you got into something and were
in over your head? The Chief said that last week's training
was going to be a practical exercise. He explained that this
was going to simulate an actual scenario that we might meet
on a future call. He told us to be ready to work up a sweat
and to do some heavy lifting. I was a little nervous.
The training involved a full scale evolution. We'd be in full
gear, stretching both the attack and back up lines. Some of
us would be attaching the hose to the hydrant and laying
the supply lines. Finally, we'd be deploying both the positive
and negative pressure fans and setting up portable lights.
Guess what? I missed it and a great chance to grow.
No wonder I don't have the confidence that I used to. You
can't pass up a chance to learn. I remember thinking that
there was nothing I couldn't do. One summer I worked
with my uncle building houses. I didn't know a lot about
carpentry but I was willing to do whatever it took to get
better at it. I spent hours carrying plywood and banging
nails.
If you want to succeed at anything, you need to make the
most of every opportunity. You have to be committed.
When I joined the fire department, I came in as a chaplain
but I wanted to do more than be a cheerleader. I wanted
to be useful. So I put on the gear and went to training
regularly so I could be helpful when the alarm sounds.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to work with the
extrication tools (jaws of life) in a joint training exercise
with several area departments. I can tell you this: My
confidence grows each time I attend a training session.
Like that old saying goes, "Practice makes perfect." You
can't expect to get better at anything if you don't practice.
I read that you need to do something for at least 21 days
for it to become a habit. Then you need to do it for another
90 days for it to feel natural. When you practice, you need
to do it as if it was the real thing. Michael Jordan always
practiced hard. It often got his teammates upset but it
helped him become the greatest player to ever play the
game.
The same is true with our faith. We have to practice what
we preach. We have to live it each day. We can't just go
through the motions. Our lives have to reflect the grace
of our Lord. The good news is that we have a chance to
work at it every day. God has given us 365 chances each
year to practice. The more we do it, the better we will get
at
So let's start by walking with Jesus every day. Let's gear
up for Christ and spend a little time reading the Bible.
Open it up regularly. Let's find out what Jesus would do
and then let's put into practice what we have learned. We
can do this. All it takes is a little practice.
God Bless! See you in church.
Cal
April 7, 2021
Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt that you got into something and were
in over your head? The Chief said that last week's training
was going to be a practical exercise. He explained that this
was going to simulate an actual scenario that we might meet
on a future call. He told us to be ready to work up a sweat
and to do some heavy lifting. I was a little nervous.
The training involved a full scale evolution. We'd be in full
gear, stretching both the attack and back up lines. Some of
us would be attaching the hose to the hydrant and laying
the supply lines. Finally, we'd be deploying both the positive
and negative pressure fans and setting up portable lights.
Guess what? I missed it and a great chance to grow.
No wonder I don't have the confidence that I used to. You
can't pass up a chance to learn. I remember thinking that
there was nothing I couldn't do. One summer I worked
with my uncle building houses. I didn't know a lot about
carpentry but I was willing to do whatever it took to get
better at it. I spent hours carrying plywood and banging
nails.
If you want to succeed at anything, you need to make the
most of every opportunity. You have to be committed.
When I joined the fire department, I came in as a chaplain
but I wanted to do more than be a cheerleader. I wanted
to be useful. So I put on the gear and went to training
regularly so I could be helpful when the alarm sounds.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to work with the
extrication tools (jaws of life) in a joint training exercise
with several area departments. I can tell you this: My
confidence grows each time I attend a training session.
Like that old saying goes, "Practice makes perfect." You
can't expect to get better at anything if you don't practice.
I read that you need to do something for at least 21 days
for it to become a habit. Then you need to do it for another
90 days for it to feel natural. When you practice, you need
to do it as if it was the real thing. Michael Jordan always
practiced hard. It often got his teammates upset but it
helped him become the greatest player to ever play the
game.
The same is true with our faith. We have to practice what
we preach. We have to live it each day. We can't just go
through the motions. Our lives have to reflect the grace
of our Lord. The good news is that we have a chance to
work at it every day. God has given us 365 chances each
year to practice. The more we do it, the better we will get
at
So let's start by walking with Jesus every day. Let's gear
up for Christ and spend a little time reading the Bible.
Open it up regularly. Let's find out what Jesus would do
and then let's put into practice what we have learned. We
can do this. All it takes is a little practice.
God Bless! See you in church.
Cal
| Pastor Cal Lord's Weekly Epistle |
| Pastor Cal's Weekly Epistle Every week Pastor Cal writes a weekly column for the Spirit Page of the Norwich Bulletin. He also sends it out to members and friends of the church via e-mail. E-mail him at calstigers@gmail.com if you want to be added to the weekly list. |
| Archived Epistles |