Pastor's PenPoint - "Let's Get a Few Things Straight" - April 2012

Often, we just have to say it plainly and with great conviction ...

"What a thrill to KNOW that my Redeemer lives!" Jesus Christ is just as alive today as He was right after the resurrection. In fact, He is just as much alive today as He was before the crucifixion, and even before He came to earth and was laid in the manger.

What difference does it make whether we serve a living God or one made of stone? Isn't it just a practice we believe in? Is it a crutch to help us along our way? No! Absolutely not!

A living God knows right where you are day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. He sees your every need, hears your every cry, and longs to hold you close to Himself.

He is present to walk with you through the valley. He provides a song in the night. He takes your feet from the muck and mire and plants them on a rock. He blesses you with hope and gives joy for life's journey. A god with no life is unable to do these things. He cannot see, or hear, or reach, or touch, or provide. He simply cannot.

But my God is alive! The joy and the assurance that we celebrate on Easter doesn't end when the holiday is over and the decorations are all packed away. Why? Because Christ is alive. So rejoice, my friend, and live each day with the hope and joy that Easter brings. Walk with Christ. Talk with Him, and allow His joy to penetrate your heart and fill your soul. Don't live in defeat and agony as if Christ is still on the cross, or in the tomb. HE is alive! He IS alive! He is ALIVE!

~ Pastor Todd

Pastor's PenPoint - "Sign In, Sign On and Sign Up" - March 2012

Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self,

take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps. Luke 9:23

The season of Lent is a serious time in the Christian year. It is the 40 days that leads us to Holy Week … and the most joyous day of the year, Easter! When we proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his defeat over the grave, and in so doing acknowledge our own resurrection from a life of sin to a life that follows our Savior. That being said, see if this prayer sounds familiar to you:

"So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost

my temper. I Haven't been grumpy, nasty or selfish. I'm really glad of that.           But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed; and from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot of help."

Well, we still struggle with our own humanness – which is why we need to carefully reflect during Lent, and aspire to a higher calling, that is one of not only following, but serving Jesus Christ. In the course of daily life, we are routinely asked to sign in, sign on and sign up. We do so without giving it a thought – at the computer, as a wedding guest, at the bank or when attending a funeral. We sign when we agree to pay for goods received or when we volunteer to bake cookies for a fundraiser. We sign forms when we start a new job or become eligible for Social Security.

Lent is the season of the church year when we reflect on our relationship with God and especially the invitation to sign in, sign on and sign up for the journey to new life in Christ.

During Lent 2012, we will be inspired by two biblical stories: the story of the children of Israel as they responded to God’s invitation to sign on again and again to the covenant, and the story of Jesus who shows us that even though signing up may lead to suffering, God will never abandon us.

Signing on with God leads to a journey of liberation and healing that is worth living and encourages us to invite others to consider: “Where do I sign?

God’s grace, strength and courage to you this Lenten season!

~Pastor Todd