It's the start of a New Year so we all begin thinking towards those resolutions. Actually I am not a big fan of them. I think that we generally don't follow them anyway. When we really resolve to do something to change our lives, it is usually at a time in our life when we see the need for change. Of course if a resolution works for you, then great!
A resolution usually means that we want to resolve to improve or better ourselves and that's always good, especially in the spiritual areas of our lives. I'm always for anything to improve our lives and relationships with our Lord. When it boils down to it, bettering ourselves as Christians involves bettering our relationships with God. We have to draw closer to Him before we can improve our Christian lives. Sure we can make a New Year's resolution to do that but I think just resolving, day by day, gets the job done in a better way.
Do you remember the old hymn? "Just a Closer Walk with Thee." I can remember that playing off a record when I was little. Okay, some of you don't know what those are? Round things us ancient people used to play on machines that went round and round called record players. An old form of a cd:) We had a record in our family, I think by Tennessee Ernie Ford with that old song on it and I can remember learning the words when I was quite young.
I am weak but Thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long, as I walk let me walk close to Thee!
Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it Jesus, is my plea;
Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be dear Lord, Let it be.
We've all got to walk the Christian life just one day at a time. That in turn will cause us to have that improvement in our Christian life that we all so greatly need. Just resolve to live better for God, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment and that will add up to our best for Him not only for this New Year but for our entire lives as well.
May you New Year be blessed ... and may you be a blessing!
~ Pastor Todd
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Monday, November 25, 2013
Upcoming Events for December
- Sunday, December 1, 2013 - Christmas Caroling - Meet at church at 2:30pm to pack the plates, and leave around 3:00pm.
- Sunday, December 22, 2013 - Youth Sunday - Breakfast will be served at 9:30am and the youth will lead the morning worship.
- Tuesday, December 24, 2013 - Christmas Eve Service at 6pm.
Pastor's Penpoint - "It's a Present, Not a Past" - December 2013
Christmas is the yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus, but it is truly a gift that we must experience each day. I share with you the following thoughts -- based on a meditation by an anonymous author -- which enlighten us during the busy holiday season and sums up the true meaning of what we hope to celebrate as people of faith.
Hoping your Christmas is merry and bright!
~ Pastor Todd
- Christmas is a present, not a past.
- Christmas should not be just a historical date to remember, but a gift to be lived.
- When you decide to love those around you, that day is Christmas.
- When you take the first step to be at peace with a loved one, that day is Christmas.
- When you meet someone who asks for help and you assist them with all your heart, that day is Christmas.
- When you take time to talk to someone who is lonely and sad, that day is Christmas.
- When you understand that resentment can be transformed by forgiveness, that day is Christmas.
- When you let go of something to give to someone who needs it more than you, that day is Christmas.
- When you realize that love, service and authentic concern are the best gifts, that day is Christmas.
- When you decide to live with joy and hope rather than surrender to fear and sadness, that day is Christmas.
Hoping your Christmas is merry and bright!
~ Pastor Todd
Monday, November 18, 2013
Pastor's Penpoint - "A Little Birdie Told Me" - November 2013
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm46:10)
The office I work in at Bridgewater College is a little off the main campus. It is actually in an old house that sits alongside residential neighbors. As I look out my bay window from time to time, I see the neighbor's cars parked right outside. Something caught my eye this week ... a movement around the cars ... and I sat for a full 10 minutes watching what was happening.
A bird was responsible for the action ... but it was the action itself that was so interesting. The bird would fly to the top of the car, and then systematically move from window to window trying to fly in, or at least I first thought. What I realized is the bird was moving from window to window trying to fight its own reflection. It would take on the fight and then it would catch its reflection in the next window ... constantly moving on to the next fight. I don't know if it was frustration, fear or anger that motivated that bird, but this went on the entire time I was watching. I don't know how the fight ended because I was distracted by a phone call.
I've thought about that bird a lot this week. I think its story is important for us - especially as we enter the rush and chaos that is the holiday season. We too, like that bird wear ourselves out and down by fighting our own reflection (or more to the point what the world convinces us our reflection should be). We move from fight to fight with ourselves from one holiday to the next. Self-imposed deadlines and expectations is our enemy - and we see within ourselves something worth fighting ... but the battle is never ending because expectations and deadlines never cease.
Is it frustration, fear or anger that causes us to fight so hard against ourselves? God tells us ... be still and know that I am God. What a simple message - but one wrapped in so much truth and promise. I know it will be hard to not fight our reflection this holiday season - but God still counsels us ... be still ... and know ...
As the holidays gear up let us look into the reflection of our Lord, and in him find peace for our souls.
~ Pastor Todd
The office I work in at Bridgewater College is a little off the main campus. It is actually in an old house that sits alongside residential neighbors. As I look out my bay window from time to time, I see the neighbor's cars parked right outside. Something caught my eye this week ... a movement around the cars ... and I sat for a full 10 minutes watching what was happening.
A bird was responsible for the action ... but it was the action itself that was so interesting. The bird would fly to the top of the car, and then systematically move from window to window trying to fly in, or at least I first thought. What I realized is the bird was moving from window to window trying to fight its own reflection. It would take on the fight and then it would catch its reflection in the next window ... constantly moving on to the next fight. I don't know if it was frustration, fear or anger that motivated that bird, but this went on the entire time I was watching. I don't know how the fight ended because I was distracted by a phone call.
I've thought about that bird a lot this week. I think its story is important for us - especially as we enter the rush and chaos that is the holiday season. We too, like that bird wear ourselves out and down by fighting our own reflection (or more to the point what the world convinces us our reflection should be). We move from fight to fight with ourselves from one holiday to the next. Self-imposed deadlines and expectations is our enemy - and we see within ourselves something worth fighting ... but the battle is never ending because expectations and deadlines never cease.
Is it frustration, fear or anger that causes us to fight so hard against ourselves? God tells us ... be still and know that I am God. What a simple message - but one wrapped in so much truth and promise. I know it will be hard to not fight our reflection this holiday season - but God still counsels us ... be still ... and know ...
As the holidays gear up let us look into the reflection of our Lord, and in him find peace for our souls.
~ Pastor Todd
Monday, October 28, 2013
Infant Dedication
Canyon Cassidy and Kaliegh Feldmeier were dedicated yesterday in a ceremony in which a commitment was made by both families and the congregation to raise them according to God's ways.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Upcoming Events for October and November
Saturday Oct. 12 - The MMI will be cutting firewood starting at 8:30am. Meet at Josh and Beck's house.
Sunday Oct. 13 - There will be a Pastor Appreciation Meal following the morning worship service. Please bring a dish or two to share with all.
Sunday Oct. 20 - Pastor Dan will be bringing the morning message.
Sunday Oct. 27 - No Sunday School. Worships will start at 10:10am. We will be having baby dedications along with Southern Grace singing.
Saturday Nov. 2 - Planning Retreat at the Church
Saturday Nov. 9 - The annual "Ladies Inspirational Fellowship Time" (LIFT) will take place at Sangerville Towers Ruritan Hall
Sunday Nov. 10 - Thankoffering Service with the Honduran medical mission team speaking. A fellowship meal will follow. Please bring a dish or two to share with all.
Monday Nov. 11 - The MMI and WMF will both meet at the church at 7pm.
Sunday Oct. 13 - There will be a Pastor Appreciation Meal following the morning worship service. Please bring a dish or two to share with all.
Sunday Oct. 20 - Pastor Dan will be bringing the morning message.
Sunday Oct. 27 - No Sunday School. Worships will start at 10:10am. We will be having baby dedications along with Southern Grace singing.
Saturday Nov. 2 - Planning Retreat at the Church
Saturday Nov. 9 - The annual "Ladies Inspirational Fellowship Time" (LIFT) will take place at Sangerville Towers Ruritan Hall
Sunday Nov. 10 - Thankoffering Service with the Honduran medical mission team speaking. A fellowship meal will follow. Please bring a dish or two to share with all.
Monday Nov. 11 - The MMI and WMF will both meet at the church at 7pm.
From the October Mt. Olivet Newletter
Psalm 71: 18-19 "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Your righteousness, God reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things, who is like you, God?"
This verse reminds me of an old song that said "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be." Do you remember this song? I liked it better before I discovered the gray in my hair where there was once brown hair.
Psalms 71 is a prayer for old age. It tells us to never be confused. He has given us commandments to save us. God is our rock and salvation. God is our hope and trust. He will deliver us out of the hand of the wicked. He will always be around and will help us in our time of need.
As we go through our daily tasks, we can always rely on God to help us today. We need patience and if the situation does not happen the way we think it should, we need to recognize that God knows best.
Many in our culture think of growing older as a negative thing. The person who wrote this Psalm lived at a time when graying brought respect. The Psalmist sees this respect as an opening to share the Lord's love. He implores God to give him this opportunity.
As God adds years to our lives, he also addspower of perspective. We can look back and see God's faithfulness at work year by year. We can remember the many ways he has revealed his goodness to us throughout our lives. By our experiences, we can encourage the next generation in our Lord's faithful love.
I receibed a call from Nathan Boggs from Laurel Missions last week. We confirmed the dates for next year. We will be leaving on Sunday, August 3, 2014 after the morning service and return on Saturday, August 9, 2014. This will give us five days to work. Nathan also informed me that 500 coal miners were furloughed possibly permanently. He wants us to supply all the Thanksgiving meals we can. A meal for a family of six costs $20.00. If you can help out, please give the money to Kevin Lam by October 27, 2013. Remember Jesus tells us to feed the hungry.
In His name,
Pastor Dan
This verse reminds me of an old song that said "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be." Do you remember this song? I liked it better before I discovered the gray in my hair where there was once brown hair.
Psalms 71 is a prayer for old age. It tells us to never be confused. He has given us commandments to save us. God is our rock and salvation. God is our hope and trust. He will deliver us out of the hand of the wicked. He will always be around and will help us in our time of need.
As we go through our daily tasks, we can always rely on God to help us today. We need patience and if the situation does not happen the way we think it should, we need to recognize that God knows best.
Many in our culture think of growing older as a negative thing. The person who wrote this Psalm lived at a time when graying brought respect. The Psalmist sees this respect as an opening to share the Lord's love. He implores God to give him this opportunity.
As God adds years to our lives, he also addspower of perspective. We can look back and see God's faithfulness at work year by year. We can remember the many ways he has revealed his goodness to us throughout our lives. By our experiences, we can encourage the next generation in our Lord's faithful love.
I receibed a call from Nathan Boggs from Laurel Missions last week. We confirmed the dates for next year. We will be leaving on Sunday, August 3, 2014 after the morning service and return on Saturday, August 9, 2014. This will give us five days to work. Nathan also informed me that 500 coal miners were furloughed possibly permanently. He wants us to supply all the Thanksgiving meals we can. A meal for a family of six costs $20.00. If you can help out, please give the money to Kevin Lam by October 27, 2013. Remember Jesus tells us to feed the hungry.
In His name,
Pastor Dan
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