August 2010 Message from The Pastor:

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" John 10:29

There is a gospel song that says, "He's got the whole world in His hands."  We believe this, of course. God wrote the first chapter of the world's history, and He will write the last chapter. Jesus helps us to understand that regardless of life’s experiences we are held securely in the Heavenly Father’s hands.

This does not mean, however, that only good things will happen. Some invisible shield from accidents, germs, viruses, war, and crime does not protect Christians. God does not prevent these things from happening any more than insurance companies prevent their clients from wrecking their cars. Nobody, even theologians or philosophers, has yet to answer the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" And yet we know, in faith, that we are secure in the hands of the loving God who has shared in the sufferings common to all humankind, in and through Jesus Christ.

You may be going through an unpleasant time in your life right now; some black hole of depression, physical or emotional pain. Y ou may have a terminal disease. You may be going through a time of doubt in which you are questioning everything about your faith. You may feel that you are completely alone; perhaps, even betrayed in some way by a trusted friend or spouse.

Yet, in these experiences of darkness, God is with you, offering you total support, love, assurance. No disease, no experience of pain or betrayal, not even the prospect of looming death, can ultimately defeat you as you live in belief and trust in a loving God and rest firmly in God’s goodness and mercy. Remember you have your church where people love and care for you. Of course, we are not perfect and certainly don’t have answers for everything that happens; but we care and love in Jesus’ name. May you find, in Christ, the strength and support of moving through ‘the valley’ holding His hand and walking by faith.

May you experience this peace in your life today!

July 2010 Message From The Pastor:

"..You are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful" (Luke 10:41- 42)

In a "Peanuts" comic strip, Linus says to Charlie Brown, "I guess it's wrong always to be worrying about tomorrow. Maybe we should think only about today." Charlie Brown replies, "No! That's giving up! I'm still hoping that yesterday will get better."

Worry has a paralyzing effect on our lives. I once read that a dense fog, one hundred feet deep and covering seven city blocks, is composed of less than one eight-ounce glass of water. Unbelievable though it seems, a single glass of water can shut down a large, international airport. A single glass of water can completely obstruct our vision.

Even one tiny trouble, if allowed to multiply, can put a cloud on our entire life. Worry can be like any type of addiction. It may start out as a small concern, but then it becomes a giant habit that hooks us. It becomes bigger than life. It surrounds us and swallows us.

Jesus offers us a way to move forward through a simple story of Mary and Martha, two friends of Jesus. You can read the background in Mark 10, but the teaching of Jesus is one of "focus". For Martha, for Mary, for you and for me, it is a matter of putting things first-- a matter of priorities.

Mary focuses her attention on the guests. She opens up her heart and mind to the possibilities of Jesus bringing something new and beautiful into her life. Martha, on the other hand, is motivated by anxiety. She is preoccupied with the trappings of hospitality. She is worried about making a good impression as a hostess. She is "distracted with much serving," Luke says. Everything has to be just right. (Sound familiar?)

Life comes to us as choice. If we choose to center our life in God, we will be open to the new and exciting future, filled with promise. If we choose something else, we become preoccupied and distressed about many things. Choose wisely!
 
Pastor Harold

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