Your Pastor's Ponderings

"Learning Our ABC's"

Happy New Year!  What a joy it is to welcome another year with you. I hope that 2011 was a good year for you in every way. However, I know for some, it is a year that you gladly pulled the shades and breathed a sigh of relief. These are certainly chaotic times we live in. In almost every aspect of life, we can point to some difficult experiences we faced last year. Nevertheless, today is the beginning of a new year filled with the possibilities for growth and potential.

Did you make any resolutions? Have you kept them so far? Resolutions are a funny lot. We make a list of what we want to quit doing so we can begin more positive life choices. I will not go into these with this article, but, you know what I am referring to! Resolutions can be helpful. They can also be very frustrating and defeating to our spirits when we fail to live up to our hope in the new year. Still, let us always seek to grow so that in our looking back at the end of 2012,  we will see signs of maturing in the faith.

In light of this, I offer a few recommendations for us to ponder and consider for ourselves. I refer to these thoughts as "ABC's for a Successful New Year".

First, accentuate the positive. There is an attitude of pessimism that is evident in our society today. When we allow the negative vibes to influence our actions, nothing good will come as a result. Let us all decide to focus on the positive things we see around us. There is no room for negativitiy if we are to grow in effective service for the Lord!

Second, let us resolve to be Bible-based in all our living. Do not allow the worldly thoughts on how we should live guide us this year. It should never be! Let the Bible be our focus in 2o12. Let the words, inspired by God Himself, show the way to live. As a result, we will be able to walk in faith, showing compassion and grace to others, as we grow deeper in our understanding of the Word made flesh, Emmanuel!

Lastly, let us live commited lives. Let our actions show our commitment to God, our Church and others around us. There is a funny story about a boy who woke up one Sunday and was unable to attend Church because of illness. The family went on to worship, which happened to be Palm Sunday. The service was magnificent with a live donkey and one dressed as Jesus coming down the aisle with shouts of "Hosanna"! When the family came home and told him about the service, he replied, "Great, the one Sunday I don't go to Church and Jesus shows up!"

Sunday is a special day in my life! I look forward to every opportunity to meet with you and celebrate Jesus in our midst. As we walk through 2012 together, let us not forsake our attendance in worship, Bible study, ministry opportunities and fellowship around the table. Join me in making 2012 our best yet. It will be as we join our hands and hearts together for the glory of God.

I am fully convinced that God is willing to use our faithfulness to minister to a broken world. Will you join me? Will you resolve to offer your best for the Lord? Will you reach out to one or more persons you know and invite them to worship and study with us? I am sure it can happen! As we move forward into this New Year with the Lord, let us be intentional in learning our "ABC's"!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bill