Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Pastor's Penpoint - "Do You Remember?" - January 2011
2011 ... here we are. I haven't talked to anyone who thought 2010 crept by. It seemed only yesterday I sat down at my computer to write the 2010 New Year's newsletter article. But sure enough, the past year flew by.
As I think about January, my mind keeps looking back a week to Christmas. Do you remember Christmas 2010? I know that's a silly question, but do you remember the warm glow of the candles, the excitement in watching what you hoped was the perfect gift being unwrapped? Do you remember singing the familiar Christmas hymns, stocking up on ham, gravy and eggnog? Do you remember the wonder in children's eyes and the comfort of a primitive but sturdy wooden manger?
I know I am already onto 2011 business and decisions. And while Christmas was only a week ago, I am trying hard to hold those thoughts securely in my mind ... but too soon the thoughts of peace and goodwill toward men will fade and lie only with the pictures added to the photo album.
The question we always have is, "How do we make this Christmas thing last?" How do we keep the news of an infant savior, sent to be the redemption for all man clearly in front of us? How do we continue to accept that that infant savior changes how we love and treat all God's children?
Well, the best I can figure is we know and believe in the truth of that babe in the manger, and then follow our Lord to the cross. In the coming weeks and months, we'll chronicle Jesus' life, teaching, death and resurrection ... and hopefully remember that the baby meek and mild does not stay in the manger, but lives, walks and breathes among his followers. Not just in biblical times - but still today.
Friends, 2011 will undoubtedly bring new experiences, disappointments, opportunities, joys and hurt that we cannot even imagine. But as we try to remember how our Christian walk started (with that infant savior in the manger) we need to also remember that our journey continues beside the King of kings and Lord of lords.
May God's grace and strength guide each of us, as we step out into a new year.
~ Pastor Todd
As I think about January, my mind keeps looking back a week to Christmas. Do you remember Christmas 2010? I know that's a silly question, but do you remember the warm glow of the candles, the excitement in watching what you hoped was the perfect gift being unwrapped? Do you remember singing the familiar Christmas hymns, stocking up on ham, gravy and eggnog? Do you remember the wonder in children's eyes and the comfort of a primitive but sturdy wooden manger?
I know I am already onto 2011 business and decisions. And while Christmas was only a week ago, I am trying hard to hold those thoughts securely in my mind ... but too soon the thoughts of peace and goodwill toward men will fade and lie only with the pictures added to the photo album.
The question we always have is, "How do we make this Christmas thing last?" How do we keep the news of an infant savior, sent to be the redemption for all man clearly in front of us? How do we continue to accept that that infant savior changes how we love and treat all God's children?
Well, the best I can figure is we know and believe in the truth of that babe in the manger, and then follow our Lord to the cross. In the coming weeks and months, we'll chronicle Jesus' life, teaching, death and resurrection ... and hopefully remember that the baby meek and mild does not stay in the manger, but lives, walks and breathes among his followers. Not just in biblical times - but still today.
Friends, 2011 will undoubtedly bring new experiences, disappointments, opportunities, joys and hurt that we cannot even imagine. But as we try to remember how our Christian walk started (with that infant savior in the manger) we need to also remember that our journey continues beside the King of kings and Lord of lords.
May God's grace and strength guide each of us, as we step out into a new year.
~ Pastor Todd
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