January 4,2007

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

 

Revelation 21: 5And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."

 

Dear Friends,

 

As I sit at my computer I am busy rearranging my desktop.  Old 2006 folders are being burned on CD Rom's, new 2007 folders are being created.  Around the house and office as well, change is in the air.  Calendars are being replaced and the bulging folders labeled "Work For After Christmas" are being scrutinized.  A new year has begun.

In some ways, I guess this is why most societies have some sort of new year ceremony where the frustrations and failures of the old was placed aside and the possibilities and potential of the new was embraced.

Come to think about it, through the grace of Christ, isn't every day a new year to set aside the old Adam and rejoicing in our Lord who makes all things new.

 

Attached is last week's sermon.

 

Prayer Requests:

For Doris Watson: at Care One, Wall

 

May the light of the Epiphany shine in the darkness of our hearts,

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

 

Psalm 68:

6 God gives the desolate a home to live in;

he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

 

Dear Friends,

 

As I write these words, my mind is focused on our servant team working in Slidell, Louisiana.  There are ten individuals from Reformation in that group.  They have been working on a house that is right on the gulf.  The family is currently living in an out building waiting to be able to return to their home.  In about an hour I will be returning to my home and happy to get there.  What is it like to be camped out in your back yard for over a year.  Sometimes we forget just how fortunate we are and how we should give thanks to God for all He has given us.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

 

2 Chronicles 31:

5As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything

Dear Friends,

 

As many of you know a team of 10 people from Reformation spent a week in Slidell, LA helping to rebuild after Katrina.  The team worked on the house of a family has been living in a one room boat house on their property for the last year.

Among the items they brought back with them was a very generous check from this family.  "This represents a tithe of their income for the week we spent with them.  They felt God was calling them to do this."

Yes, I mentioned the "t" word, tithing.  Sometimes God calls us all to grow in our giving in some very dramatic ways.  This seems to be one of them.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

 

Psalm 72:

11 May all kings fall down before him,

all nations give him service.

12 For he delivers the needy when they call,

the poor and those who have no helper.

13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,

and saves the lives of the needy.

 

The thermometer read 9 degrees at 7 this morning.  At least this was the report because I confess to not hitting the street until 3 hours later.  By the time I drove over to Monmouth University it was up to 17.  I was quite comfortable in my climate controlled car, but I thought about the people who may have had to choose between having food on the table or a living temperature in their apartments.  How blessed we are.  But how can we better serve those for whole days like this represent a real struggle.