Pastor’s blog 7/19/10 The times they are a changing
July 19, 2010
Time passes quickly doesn’t it? It seems like yesterday that we had 2 kids at home doing all the the things teenagers do as they are growing up. I remember the sheer busyness of family life with Liz in so many things that we had to drive her to and often attend. I remember the concerns we had about what would happen when the kids grew up and left home. Would they be able to get a good education, find jobs and make enough money to make ends meet? Would they find a good person to marry? We had lots of would they questions. All of a sudden our son John is 28 years old. He has gotten a good education, he makes really good money, he is happily married and has lots of exciting dreams for his life. Liz is living in New Mexico. she has a caring boyfriend, she is working and growing rapidly as a person. Oh we still have concerns and the journey’s of our kids are sometimes a little rough but they are growing and changing as they live in this world. When I reflect on all of this I am reminded of the scripture from Revelation Chapter 4 which speaks of a God who is always with us. A God who knows our needs and will stay the course with us. There have been many times in my kids lives when I wondered how things would work out. I wondered where I would get the strength to see things through. Yet somehow God in Jesus Christ has walked this walk of life with me and given me strength when I most needed it. I am so grateful for his gracious presence and it is good to just stop once in awhile and see just how powerful and lifegiving his presence has been. Thank you Jesus for your guiding hand and compassionate love.
Pastor’s blog 7/12/10 The two shall become one
July 12, 2010
This Friday in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin our Youth and Family Ministries Director Amy Lein and her fiance Chris Loker will be joined in marriage. Amy has been our director here at First for over 4 years now. I remember when she was hired that there was concern about a young woman far away from family and friends being able to make a life for herself in a new community. That concern seems like a distant memory now. Amy and Chris are making their home here now and seem to enjoy this community. It has been fun to see her grow and change as a person as our director and in her personal life. Love is grand isn’t it? When two people find each other and begin to build a loving relationship everything else in their lives benefits.
I recently saw our former youth director Matt Pearson. Matt and Sara got married about 5 years ago while he was serving as our Youth and Family Ministries Director. The loving relationship that they share has changed many things in their lives. They have a 2 year old son Josiah who is a busy and happy little guy. They now have a lovely home in the Omaha NE area. When I visited with them I was moved by the tender love they share with one another.
Jesus talks alot about love and says that it is the most important thing we can share with one another. When I am around people who love and care about each other the way Matt, Sarah, Amy and Chris do, joy fills my heart. Maybe that’s what Jesus had in mind when he said that he came so that we could have life abundantly. As I get older I treasure the opportunities I have to experience love in relationships in as many ways as I can. Love really does make the world go round doesn’t it?
Pastor’s blog 7/6/10 4th of July reflection
July 6, 2010
The 4th of July has always been a special day for me as I am sure it is for many others. Growing up in Maine the 4th was a day when our family would get together with my cousins the Gayton’s to go to Sebego Lake for the day. We would play at the lake, eat at the lake and have a great time together. It wasn’t until I got much older that I thought about what an important day it is for our country. You see like many others I have taken my freedom for granted. I have never been without freedom it is part of me. As I have grown older I have taken and interest in revolutionary war history. The story of this country’s beginning has helped me to realize what a struggle it was for those early settlers to separate from England. I am humbled by their sacrifice.
This past Sunday morning the prayers of the people was a video showing the graves of soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers graves were shown as Taps was played. The sacrifices those soldiers have made for freedom is for each one of us. Those men and women gave their time and in many cases lives for you and I in belief of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independance. It is something beyond words isn’t it that a life is given for us in the name of freedom. Long ago in a land far away a man named Jesus gave his life for us to free us from sin, death and the power of the devil. Our freedom has been hard won for us hasn’t it.
