Compton May 28, 2006, was the 100th anniversary of the Flora Presbyterian Church. We have been celebrating the faithfulness of Jesus Christ all year long. On Sept. 17, we had a special worship celebration recognizing 100 years of God's blessing and 100 years of people being open to God's guidance.

During these 100 years of blessing, I doubt if anyone could count the number of times someone has used the phrases, "May Jesus Christ be with us" or "May He lead us in our endeavors."We often talk about how Jesus is with us, but I am not sure that we as often live our lives with that realization.

An old classic Christian book, "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, prompted me to practice the reality of Jesus' presence with me. In fact I have found that not only is Jesus with us but He, also, goes before us.

Some t ime s when we look forward to something we are going to do, we get so bored or so anxious that we totally miss what Jesus is doing in that situation. I started thinking about what Jesus was already doing in each situation, meeting, or visit where I was concerned about the outcome or so bored that I did not want to go. I started praying about what Jesus is already doing in a patient's life before I make a hospital visit. I started praying about what Jesus might already be doing in a visit or project that held no excitement for me. I started thinking about how He might use me in those situations to accomplish His purpose.

An anniversary is an opportunity to look back to see how Jesus has been right beside us and to look forward to anticipate that Jesus is going before us.

This poem written by Gladys Mocherman, an older member of Flora Presbyterian Church, whom I had the privilege of getting to know after coming to Flora before she died, reminds me of how when we think we are walking with our Lord, He is actually walking with us.

Jesus will walk with me all of my journey

Guiding my footsteps, lest I go astray

Giving me strength for today and tomorrow

Jesus will walk with me all of the way.

Jesus is with me, when dark shadows lower

Giving me light when darkness appears

Giving me strength for the burden of tomorrow

Jesus will walk with me all of the way.

When I have come to the end of my journey

I shall look over Jordan and then -

I shall behold the great King and His glory

Because I walked with Him all of the way.

Chuck Compton is pastor of Flora Presbyterian Church.

Pray for our nation to seek God

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 Pd. Adv.