Mark your calendars now and come out to Mt. Olivet on February 7 to support 2 local food pantries.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Monday, December 29, 2014
Pastor's Penpoint - "Peace - Run After It!" - January 2015
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
With all the violence in the U. S. and over the entire world so prevalent these days, I have turned my thoughts more and more to our responsibility to pray for and be examples of peace. In my studies, I came across Matthew 5:9 (written above).
"Blessed are the peacemakers" ...when the term "peacemaker" is used the initial thought is of someone who keeps the peace between two opposing parties. A "peacemaker" solves dilemmas often without the force of violence, although the threat of violence is sometimes present and to be used if necessary.
When I was growing up, I watched dozens of westerns where the sheriffs - or the good guys - were armed with the Colt 45 "peacemaker." How ironic that one of the most famous guns of the 1800's was named the "peacemaker." The idea is simply you can only have peace through strength.
When Jesus, the Prince of Peace (in Hebrew the "Sar Shalom") returns again, He will usher in the Messianic age of Shalom - His strength will be on display as He rules with a "rod of iron."
Interestingly enough, as I came across as I came across a translation in the Hebrew New Testament that said the word "peacemaker" has a completely different connotation than our understanding in English. The word "peacemaker" in Hebrew is the phrase "rod-fey shalom".
Shalom has a much richer meaning than simply the word peace. It can also mean completeness, prosperity, safety, contentment, health, blessing and rest. The word "rod-fey" in Hebrew literally means to "run after" or "to chase!"
So, in Hebrew it says "to chase after shalom" - to run after God's shalom! And one can only find God's shalom through our "Sar Shalom" - our Prince of Peace!
This new year, let's attempt to reach a new level of intimacy with our Lord! Let's run after a deeper knowledge of our Lord and in doing so, we'll experience new levels of peace, contentment, blessing and rest! With so much work to be done, isn't it good to know this is available to us NOW through our Sar Shalom!
God's grace and peace to you this new year, Pastor Todd
With all the violence in the U. S. and over the entire world so prevalent these days, I have turned my thoughts more and more to our responsibility to pray for and be examples of peace. In my studies, I came across Matthew 5:9 (written above).
"Blessed are the peacemakers" ...when the term "peacemaker" is used the initial thought is of someone who keeps the peace between two opposing parties. A "peacemaker" solves dilemmas often without the force of violence, although the threat of violence is sometimes present and to be used if necessary.
When I was growing up, I watched dozens of westerns where the sheriffs - or the good guys - were armed with the Colt 45 "peacemaker." How ironic that one of the most famous guns of the 1800's was named the "peacemaker." The idea is simply you can only have peace through strength.
When Jesus, the Prince of Peace (in Hebrew the "Sar Shalom") returns again, He will usher in the Messianic age of Shalom - His strength will be on display as He rules with a "rod of iron."
Interestingly enough, as I came across as I came across a translation in the Hebrew New Testament that said the word "peacemaker" has a completely different connotation than our understanding in English. The word "peacemaker" in Hebrew is the phrase "rod-fey shalom".
Shalom has a much richer meaning than simply the word peace. It can also mean completeness, prosperity, safety, contentment, health, blessing and rest. The word "rod-fey" in Hebrew literally means to "run after" or "to chase!"
So, in Hebrew it says "to chase after shalom" - to run after God's shalom! And one can only find God's shalom through our "Sar Shalom" - our Prince of Peace!
This new year, let's attempt to reach a new level of intimacy with our Lord! Let's run after a deeper knowledge of our Lord and in doing so, we'll experience new levels of peace, contentment, blessing and rest! With so much work to be done, isn't it good to know this is available to us NOW through our Sar Shalom!
God's grace and peace to you this new year, Pastor Todd
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
What's coming up at Mt. Olivet?
Here are a few things to put on your calendar:
December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 6:30pm at the church
January 4 - Epiphany Sunday
January 7 - Commission Meetings at 6:30 and Administrative Board Meeting at 7:00
January 11 - Communion Sunday
January 25 - Ecumenical Sunday where the pastors of the North River Ministerial Association exchange pulpits. Charlie McFarlin will be coming to Mt. Olivet to preach and Pastor Todd will be at Parnassus UMC.
December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 6:30pm at the church
January 4 - Epiphany Sunday
January 7 - Commission Meetings at 6:30 and Administrative Board Meeting at 7:00
January 11 - Communion Sunday
January 25 - Ecumenical Sunday where the pastors of the North River Ministerial Association exchange pulpits. Charlie McFarlin will be coming to Mt. Olivet to preach and Pastor Todd will be at Parnassus UMC.
Monday, December 15, 2014
The Youth Christmas Program
Yesterday, the youth of Mt. Olivet were in charge of the morning worship service. 22 of them performed the drama, "A Christmas to Believe In."
Great job, guys!
Friday, December 5, 2014
Pastor's PenPoint - "Just You Wait" - December 2014
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:4)
"Now without faith it is impossible to please God for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
What's the longest you've had to wait for something? I imagine almost everyone has a memory of Christmas Eve as a child; squeezing your eyes shut, trying with all your might to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. For those of you with traditional parents, you knew that even opening one present before Christmas morning was the same as high treason. And so you counted sheep and waited.
Waiting is still difficult. We expect everything to be at our fingertips the moment we have the desire for it. It's a world we're growing into and it's addicting. We live in a world of downloads, high-speed email, on demand, and Hot Pockets. Yet God finds ways of making us wait. Waiting and faith go hand-in-hand.
Are you struggling with a lack of faith? That's OK. It doesn't take much faith to get God's attention. Jesus encouraged his frustrated followers this way: "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20).
Most of us try to grow a forest in one day. Jesus, however, invites you to begin with a tiny seed. Watch it grow and wait for it to become all that you dreamed it would be.
~ Pastor Todd
"Now without faith it is impossible to please God for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
What's the longest you've had to wait for something? I imagine almost everyone has a memory of Christmas Eve as a child; squeezing your eyes shut, trying with all your might to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. For those of you with traditional parents, you knew that even opening one present before Christmas morning was the same as high treason. And so you counted sheep and waited.
Waiting is still difficult. We expect everything to be at our fingertips the moment we have the desire for it. It's a world we're growing into and it's addicting. We live in a world of downloads, high-speed email, on demand, and Hot Pockets. Yet God finds ways of making us wait. Waiting and faith go hand-in-hand.
- We wait for the baby we've dreamed we'd hold in our arms.
- Some wait for a prodigal to come to the end of himself and return home.
- Some are waiting for the phone to ring so we can return to a job with a normal salary and benefits.
- Others are waiting for a spiritual breakthrough that will open our eyes. Waiting is the embodiment of faith.
Are you struggling with a lack of faith? That's OK. It doesn't take much faith to get God's attention. Jesus encouraged his frustrated followers this way: "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20).
Most of us try to grow a forest in one day. Jesus, however, invites you to begin with a tiny seed. Watch it grow and wait for it to become all that you dreamed it would be.
- An entire nation waited centuries before their eternal King appeared.
- Mary wasn't given a full-grown son.
- The wise men from the East didn't see the Messiah appear at their front door.
~ Pastor Todd
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Pastor's PenPoint - "Give Thanks" - November 2014
"Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:32-34)
It's that time of year again. Each fall we stop and think about the harvest and all we have to be thankful for. The farmers always stopped and looked at the bountiful harvest at the end of the long summer and gave thanks to God for helping them.
We too need to stop and five thanks to God for all He has given us. We are blessed. Everything we want may not be in our houses, but we need to be thankful.
It's that time of year again. Each fall we stop and think about the harvest and all we have to be thankful for. The farmers always stopped and looked at the bountiful harvest at the end of the long summer and gave thanks to God for helping them.
We too need to stop and five thanks to God for all He has given us. We are blessed. Everything we want may not be in our houses, but we need to be thankful.
David said in the Bible:
"I will thank you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous
things you have done. I will be filled with y because of you.
I will sing praises to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 9:1-2).
God loves to hear from us. He takes great pleasure in receiving our thanks and our love. He cares so deeply about everything that affects our lives. So, we need to talk to Him and tell Him whatever is on our heart. He understands and wants to meet our needs.
I read a story the other day written by a mother. It went like this:
"One day my daughter asked for me to clean a special outfit for her to wear to school the next day. I took the time and made sure it was ready for her. As is sometimes the way with busy tens, she did not say thank you. When I mentioned it to her, she seemed surprised. She felt it was my job as her mother to have her clothes ready. I was really hurt. I was expecting a "thank you."
I believe God feels the same way when we don't stop and show a grateful heart for all He does for us each day. He wants us to be thankful. W should not look at Him and expect that it's His job to bless us without a thank you in return.
Just like that daughter who needed a reminder to appreciate the things she has, the family she is blessed with, and to be thankful for the loving heavenly Father who watches over her, we too need to be reminded.
How great is the Father's love for us. How awesome are His deeds, Let us rejoice and be thankful to Him and bless His name. Give thanks to God for He is good and His mercy is everlasting. Great is the love of our God. Let's give thanks.
~ Pastor Todd
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Food Boxes for Kentucky
The MMI is collecting donations for Thanksgiving food boxes for Laurel Mission in Kentucky. Each box is $20 and will provide a meal for a family of 6. The goal is 75 boxes. If you would like to donate, please see Kevin Lam, MMI treasurer.
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