Reflections and Joining the Journey

 I have been thinking a great deal about reflections. We think of them when we look through the eyes of creation. The sun shinning on the water and it reflecting back to see the beauty in th colors that come through the rays of brightness.

My thoughts have been a place I write about Reflections From the Porch. I am an avid porch setting person. Does not have to be a special porch, it just has to provide a place for me to sit and be quiet with my thoughts, my prayers and my contemplation of what is going on in the world today.

I truly believe that every person should take time to sit on a porch and reflect on their life, their purpose in life and what you can give to make our world better. For me, as a pastor I think more about how I can share my thoughts and beliefs in God. The God that I know and believe to be the One who created all things, Jehovah! 

Reflections From the Porch is a place where I share the things I have learned and who God intended me to be; a person who loves Jehovah and prayerfully walk this world in helping others to know that there is absolute truth in knowing God and acknowledging that God does exist. The Hebrew text or Old Testament tells the story of Moses: Chapter 3 vs 14a tells us who God is: "God replied to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM."

Hope you will join me on this journey!

Ultimate Sacrifice

 This weekend we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice! Reflecting on this from my porch, I am thinking about what it costs for the ultimate sacrifice. 

It means that a person lays down their life for the sake of someone else. This weekend we remember so many names of men and women who have completed their task! They have become who everyone should call a hero. So many hero's from multiple generations.

Another story of a person making the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the world! We find His story in Matthew 27: 45-56.

 

  Let us remember the Ultimate Sacrifice given for each of us!

Spring is Coming

 Remember the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers"! It is that time of year again when the showers arrive, which brings forth the new beginnings of Spring.

With every new spring, comes a reminder that the Creator of the universe is active allowing the bulbs that went dormant to awaken and bring freshness to the earth.

Scripture tells us that we can find that new life... 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

The rain drops on the petals and leaves of every flower helps with bringing forth new birth. Just, as we find in Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

We find that same love which God shows to His flowers each spring, He in-turn gives each of us through His mercy and grace!

So when you come across new flowers blooming, remember that Jesus loves you!

Winter Porches

 Have you ever thought of a porch during the winter months? 

I have!

What a beautiful place to find God.

No matter what season we find ourselves "sitting a spell"on the porch, he will speak!

Porches...Porches...Porches...My favorite spot to hear from God!

Challenges

 Challenges can be something we face, and don't believe we can ever overcome. Challenges may look and feel overwhelming, to a point where you want to throw in the towel!

Let me share a story about a person who was injured in an auto accident. The specialists report said they may never be the person they were before the accident. They were told, this is your new normal! 

The person was not willing to accept that report, they took on the challenge!! To regain what was lost. They learned to read again, and write academic papers for excellent grades. They never gave up, they worked hard and had a faith stronger than they realized.

    You see,

challenges can either cause you to stop, OR it can help you grow where you never thought possible. 

Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord, with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight." (NIV)

With all honesty, I know that God is always there in the midst of all our challenges!

The Colors, they are changing!

 Autumn brings a change in the colors of our environment. They change from the beauty of hues of green to those of red, orange, yellow, even brown. the change in color brings forth a new excitement as we see the sunshine on the leaves as they reflect the rays of the autumn warmth. 

Colors bring forth smiles and laughter as children run through piles of fallen leaves. Do you remember the smell of Autumn, the fresh crispness in the air, the light frost on the leaves in the morning, the crunching under your shoes as you walk/hike in your favorite spot? 

The changing of the colors is a great reminder in the church too, just because one group takes control of the colors of God's rainbow, does not mean that the meaning of the rainbow has changed...God's Promise... will remain the same throughout time!

Genesis 9:16 "When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Labor Day

     September is the month that we remember Labor Day. A day to recognize the accomplishments of the American worker.  

 

    I learned in Seminary that being a pastor was a calling, a vocation, not a job.  Many days, it truly feels like a job!  The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 

   

 

 

     Labor Day should remind us that the work we accomplish every day needs to be a blessings to others, whether we labor physically in mines, sitting at tables, or preaching and teaching others in and outside the church, we are to do it well and pleasing to God!