Fellowship's Cross

As we talk about the very painful subject of infidelity and the balm that heals such a deep wound, it is such a joy to see God move on His own timetable.  We have discussed a cross for the Atrium for over two years and much thought and prayer and discussion has gone into the cross.  My own frustration at how slowly the discussion was moving was shown to be my own pride, because God had a plan and today, we can see it!  

Far from any planning we could do, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place to unveil a cross created by one of our own, David Masters, on the day when we talk about a wound inflicted by sin that seems almost irreparable.  But, that is the power and glory of the cross!  The cross that takes the rubble of our life choices and forms it into something new, something beautiful, something redeemed is what we unveil today!  May this reminder of the faith be a blessing to our people and a source of pleasure for our God.

Embrace The Difficult!

God has a way of taking bad things and turning them into something useful. This past week, I was sidelined with pneumonia. And as miserable as I felt, God gave me two gifts: a powerful antibiotic and time to just read God’s Word. I needed time to simply read and reflect. It heals my soul! Sometimes, we miss the opportunities that troubles can bring.

In this marriage series, some of the turmoil in families is coming to the surface. This could feel bad, but it might also be the very opportunity you need to address an issue, to bring healing and to grow stronger! My encouragement is this: don’t shy away from the conflict that needs to happen. Instead, face the conflict with the grace of God, an honest look and a resolution to fight for a God-honoring resolution.

Embrace the difficult! It just may lead to something better!

Happy New Year

Well, we have made it to a new year, 2013, but it seems that we came to the end of 2012 with some real pains and concerns as a nation. There was the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, the political unrest in Washington over the fiscal cliff debates, and, of course, the intense sorrow over the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

We always start the New Year as though we have a new beginning, and yet, perhaps this year we have struggled with searching for a basis for such hope. I was reading about the history of Jewish liturgy this week and about the mindset of the Jewish New Year. In the Jewish liturgy, the New Year’s worship service was always longer and the emphasis of the celebration was the kingdom of God - its meaning to all people, its acknowledgement that God will reign and the acknowledgement of all creation of God’s dominion.

I could not think of a better emphasis to begin our New Year, nor a better basis of hope for 2013. Truly then - Happy New Year!