Some of us grew up in households that held Lent as a time of penance and giving things up that were important to us! I remember not eating meat on Friday's and giving up chocolate, or a favorite TV show, or something that I thought would be pleasing to God.
As we are in the season of Lent, I continually reflect on the thought of doing penance and giving things up in order to please God. This year I have decided to not give anything up; but I am trying to do more that would help me go deeper in my relationship with God.
We walk this journey daily; we are to walk according to the commands that God set our for us in the Scriptures. God tells us that we are to love God more and love our neighbors.
My question is:
What are you doing to follow these commands?
Are you preparing your heart?
How are you doing it?
Are you loving God more, by reading, praying, sharing and giving?
Or are you loving your neighbors, by, helping those that do not have, are you spending time with someone who needs a listening ear, are you providing a meal to a family who is going through a crisis or a medical issue?
All of these things will help you draw closer to the God of the universe. For God has called us to be friends to all people, all the time.
2 Thessalonians 2: 15
" With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter." (NLT)
Paul is telling us to be strong in our understanding and commitment to the teachings we have learned.
I encourage you during Lent to gain a firmer grip on what is right and good as found in
Micah 6:8b
"...to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NLT)
Until next time.....
Rev. Patti
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thoughts About A Savior
I have been listening to an album by Terry MacAlmon entitled "Visit Us-Live". He sings an old hymn of the church "Fairest Lord Jesus". In verse four of the UMC hymnal the song says:
"Beautiful Savior! Lord of all nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration now and forever more be thine."
Jesus came to be our savior, the one who redeems all nations. The one who left the comforts of his place next to God, Jesus came to be our mediator, the one that took our place for our sin and all sin in the world. How can we not be thankful for such a wonderful gift.
I am grateful today for the love that Jesus has for me, even when I do not deserve it; for I know that through this gift, I have eternal life.
What about you?
Have you come to a place where the sacrifice that Jesus made for you has become real. Knowing that he died for you as much as he died for me. For no one is worthy of this gift.
Let's all come to a place and time in our busy lives where we stop, even for a moment and say thank you for this sacrifice.
Until next time!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Love
Love Wins is a title of a book by Rob Bell. It speaks about how God's love wins out over all circumstances. We may not understand the strength, depth and power of God's love; but God's love does exists throughout all eternity.
February is the month in our lives here in US AMerica that we celebrate love. Valentine's day is celebrated in the 14th. Children give classmates and teachers valentines. Children exchange cute notes about being nice and accepting all person for who they are.
Adults celebrate the day by giving gifts to the important persons in their lives, they might give chocolates, cards, gifts of jewelry or whatever the person finds that is sentimental. However, we should be giving the God the love that God deserves each and every day. We can show GOd our love through, praise, thanksgiving, giving to others in need.
Let us tell the world about love as it is written in Isaiah 63:7(a) "I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done." (NLT).
February is the month in our lives here in US AMerica that we celebrate love. Valentine's day is celebrated in the 14th. Children give classmates and teachers valentines. Children exchange cute notes about being nice and accepting all person for who they are.
Adults celebrate the day by giving gifts to the important persons in their lives, they might give chocolates, cards, gifts of jewelry or whatever the person finds that is sentimental. However, we should be giving the God the love that God deserves each and every day. We can show GOd our love through, praise, thanksgiving, giving to others in need.
Let us tell the world about love as it is written in Isaiah 63:7(a) "I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done." (NLT).
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
A New Year Begins
We all know that when the ball drops in New York City at the stroke of midnight, a new year begins! We wish those around us a great New Year's wish, we hug friends and family, we begin to think about what this new year will bring for us. We spend time in reflection on the resolutions we want to make; the changes in our lives for the good and betterment of our careers, our health, our family life, etc.
I want to take a moment and chat with you about the resolution that we should be making about the changes in our lives regarding the time we spend thinking about God, talking to God and thanking God for all that God gives to us.
For me resolutions begin strong each January, I find myself making a mental note that each new year I am going to change some of the things in my life that need change. I think about eating better, exercising more regularly, spending more time with family and friends, reading my Bible more, praying more. All of these things being very important! Then I find myself in the 3rd week of January and realize that I have slowly gone back into previous behaviors which are easier! Ones that do not take daily discipline. I tell myself "oh I will catch up on my reading tomorrow" and tomorrow never comes.
I would like to take a few moments to encourage you during this time. I was reading Joshua and found this reminder of how we are to walk our our faith journey every day. Chapter 1:9 states: "This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go."
If you have now become sluggish in your resolutions for this new year, I encourage your to hold onto that passage from Joshua. Carry it with us each day, knowing that just as God promised walking with Joshua, God has promised to walk with us!
Be Encouraged, do not be afraid… be strong and courageous in 2014!
Pastor
I want to take a moment and chat with you about the resolution that we should be making about the changes in our lives regarding the time we spend thinking about God, talking to God and thanking God for all that God gives to us.
For me resolutions begin strong each January, I find myself making a mental note that each new year I am going to change some of the things in my life that need change. I think about eating better, exercising more regularly, spending more time with family and friends, reading my Bible more, praying more. All of these things being very important! Then I find myself in the 3rd week of January and realize that I have slowly gone back into previous behaviors which are easier! Ones that do not take daily discipline. I tell myself "oh I will catch up on my reading tomorrow" and tomorrow never comes.
I would like to take a few moments to encourage you during this time. I was reading Joshua and found this reminder of how we are to walk our our faith journey every day. Chapter 1:9 states: "This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go."
If you have now become sluggish in your resolutions for this new year, I encourage your to hold onto that passage from Joshua. Carry it with us each day, knowing that just as God promised walking with Joshua, God has promised to walk with us!
Be Encouraged, do not be afraid… be strong and courageous in 2014!
Pastor
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Advent
Advent is upon us, we are in a waiting mode! What do you do when you are waiting for someone to arrive? Do you closely keep an eye on your watch, do you pace, do you watch the last few minutes of a TV show?
What are you doing while we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Are you shopping, wrapping presents, getting the house decorated, baking and preparing food for all your guests?
How about praying! Let us pray and seek God during this time of waiting! Read and ask for direction for your life and what God wants you to do!
Take time this Advent season to search your heart, wait on God for God's direction for your life through the same experience that John Wesley had at Aldersgate, where he experience his heart strangely warmed.
Have a blessed and spirit-filled Advent!
What are you doing while we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Are you shopping, wrapping presents, getting the house decorated, baking and preparing food for all your guests?
How about praying! Let us pray and seek God during this time of waiting! Read and ask for direction for your life and what God wants you to do!
Take time this Advent season to search your heart, wait on God for God's direction for your life through the same experience that John Wesley had at Aldersgate, where he experience his heart strangely warmed.
Have a blessed and spirit-filled Advent!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Staying in Love With God
I am sitting here prior to opening the Tuesday evening worship and prayer service and I am thinking about how we stay in love with God.
Many of you may ask, how do I fall in love with God in the first place? Not just staying in love with our creator.
Staying in love with God takes work; just like a marriage. We know that when two people fall in love, they begin doing things for each other; they might do random acts of kindness, they might sit quietly holding hands, play together on a beach making sand castles, or take long walks in the park. No matter what it is, they spend time together.
It is no different when we want to stay in love with God. God wants to spend time with us. We find God giving us a great example of spending time with humankind in Genesis 3: 8 "When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze...." (MSG)
We can also see very clearly how God loves to spend time with people through the example found in Matthew 14: 13-21. God spends time with us through the teachings Jesus gave us during his ministry on earth. In these teachings God shows and cares for all people. God used a small boy to give up his lunch and how Jesus blessed that meal and fed 5,000. There in no greater way to show love than to provide sustenance for those in need.
Let's practice some of these small things in beginning our love relationship with God. After doing some of these smaller things let's move into bigger opportunities.
I encourage you today to take a walk with God and see what God has for each and everyone of us. ENJOY and HAVE FUN!
Many of you may ask, how do I fall in love with God in the first place? Not just staying in love with our creator.
Staying in love with God takes work; just like a marriage. We know that when two people fall in love, they begin doing things for each other; they might do random acts of kindness, they might sit quietly holding hands, play together on a beach making sand castles, or take long walks in the park. No matter what it is, they spend time together.
It is no different when we want to stay in love with God. God wants to spend time with us. We find God giving us a great example of spending time with humankind in Genesis 3: 8 "When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze...." (MSG)
We can also see very clearly how God loves to spend time with people through the example found in Matthew 14: 13-21. God spends time with us through the teachings Jesus gave us during his ministry on earth. In these teachings God shows and cares for all people. God used a small boy to give up his lunch and how Jesus blessed that meal and fed 5,000. There in no greater way to show love than to provide sustenance for those in need.
Let's practice some of these small things in beginning our love relationship with God. After doing some of these smaller things let's move into bigger opportunities.
I encourage you today to take a walk with God and see what God has for each and everyone of us. ENJOY and HAVE FUN!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Changing Seasons
I have been driving around town this past week and I am beginning to see the changing of the season. We have moved from summer to autumn. The lush colors of green that grace us with shade and soft grasses have moved into the colors of red, yellow, orange and hews of brown. What a magnificant palatte of God's creative beauty. Every time autumn arrives, we see again that magnificant creativity.
Seasons change in the church as well. We have seen this throughout it's history. The seasons contiue to change on how we worship. Many traditions remain faithful to thier historicial format, others have moved to a very contemporary style. Whatever season you find yourself in, enjoy it. Look to God for the love given freely, to sing, praise, read, contemplate, meditate upon and share with others the truth about God's word for the nations.
Seasons change in the church as well. We have seen this throughout it's history. The seasons contiue to change on how we worship. Many traditions remain faithful to thier historicial format, others have moved to a very contemporary style. Whatever season you find yourself in, enjoy it. Look to God for the love given freely, to sing, praise, read, contemplate, meditate upon and share with others the truth about God's word for the nations.
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