Hope

No tomorrow?

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

I read this passage this morning and it really caught my attention.  Therefore it got highlighted in my Bible.  Paul wrote this passage for Timothy as he was encouraging Timothy in his ministry.  And through that encouragement I also find encouragement.  Paul was the chief persecutor of the church; killing those that professed to believe and follow Jesus.  But God had other plans and called Paul to be a promoter and preacher of Christ.  Since then, Paul became the greatest missionary this Church has ever seen.

God, though Jesus Christ, came to save sinners which, in the words of Paul, he was the foremost.  God, through Jesus Christ, came to save sinners which I feel I am the foremost.  God, through Jesus Christ, came to save sinners which YOU are the foremost.  But for that very reason I/we received mercy, so that in me/us, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me/us an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.

We are all the worst of sinners…but God’s mercy and forgiveness and love is so much greater.  This is our urgent message.  We can’t take this for granted.  Who, in your little world, needs to hear a message of hope?  Let our ministry be one that assumes no tomorrow.  If that is indeed the case…what are we waiting for?

-edh-

Monday morning check in — Post-Sonshine post

/ The Pastor

Here I am…in my office…post-Sonshine…procrastinating on writing my newsletter article (of course, by the time my secretary reads this I WILL be working on my article, I promise).

Anyway…we had a great time at Sonshine Festival.  We heard lots of great music from the likes of Jars of Clay, Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson, Peder Eide, Barlowgirl, David Crowder, and much more.  That list is definitely not listed in order because that would be to hard to do.  But Hawk Nelson is a group I never really listened to before but I am now developing a new appreciation for them.  All the groups were (and are) great examples and very open about their faith.  It was fun and inspiring to hear them and worship with them.  And for $68 for the weekend…for all that music…you just can’t beat that.

Our group consisted of my wife and I along with one senior high girl from Salem with a group of 10 from Our Savior’s.  There were more adults than youth in our group, but everyone had fun.  We camped in tent city where there were thousands of tents crammed in together.  It is hard to describe the scene but trust me, it was a zoo.  The “city” never really completely died down.  There was activity all night long for all four nights.  My wife and I came home on Saturday and let me tell ya…a shower and my bed felt great on Saturday night.  But over all it was a great experience and we are already looking forward to next year.

Ramp update
I haven’t said much in this area for a while but here’s a quick update (just in case you were wondering).  All the cement is poured and now they are on the brick work.  Red-ish (basic brick color…whatever that is “offically” called) bricks will be placed on the side of the ramp and a brick wind break is currently being built on the north side of the ramp by the sanctuary door.  The time table for completion is still mid-August sometime.  I will get some pictures posted soon.

One week to go…
After this week I will be out of the office for a couple weeks.  On Sunday I fly to Chicago for a special meeting on evangelism and outreach.  I was invited by the synod office to attend this meeting (I will discuss this more in another post this week).  After I get back on Tuesday I go on vacation until Sunday.  On Sunday I am still out of the office but for continuing education.  The week of Aug 3 – 10 I am at the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference.  A free conference in the Okoboji Lakes area (about 20 miles from here).  That too I will write more about later.  So this week I have a lot to get done before I head out.

With that…I leave you with this quote I came across…one I used in my sermon yesterday: “We are not in the land of the living, but in the land of the dying — someday we shall be in the Land of the Living.”  What a great reminder of the hope we all have in Jesus Christ.

Take care and have a great day!

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer

/ The Pastor

Hey all…I am back from a fun trip to Sonshine Festival.  I have more to tell you, but I don’t have time right now…that will have to wait until tomorrow.  In in the mean time let’s join together in a word of prayer…

God of hope, you give us strength to endure in the face of hopelessness.  When all seems lost you show us the way.  When darkness over takes us, you are our light.  When illness threatens to take everything we are, you are our healing.  When the world tries to crush us, you build us up…even stronger.  Oh God of hope, through Jesus Christ you give us something to look forward to.  Help us to see this vision vision and remember this promise in the darkest of times and the joyous of occasions.  Thank you for giving hope beyond hopelessness, in Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Off to worship now so I’ll see you tomorrow.  Take care.

-edh-