pastor john's Weblog

Just with Jerry, a member with just a little more time on earth. He told me that a distant cousin called him today and told him that she was glad he was baptized and a believer, for heaven was indeed before him and she was happy for him and what he was going to be receiving in Christ. Jerry said this was different for all the other calls he had gotten were people were feeling sorry for him....he doesn't want people to be sorry for him, for he does know where he is going, and the truth is, he is glad too!

giants in the land

The world can be a very scary place sometimes.There are lots of things to worry about and the news keeps us on edge with a constant reminder that bad things are happening seemingly everywhere. For me is a relief, for a few days anyway, to concentrate on the athletic abilities of young people from around the world in the Olympics. There is something about the Olympics that seems innocent and pure, although I know that is not the case...but from afar it seems like a ideal world where competition is about highly tuned abilities and the nerve to use them to their fullest. Watching Shawn White soaring on the half pipe was exhilarating, and seeing the joy and relief of Lindsey Vonn was cathartic. Watching the Canadians win their first gold metal on home soil was triumphant. The Olympics show that for a little while we can be a world that gathers around something other than deception and intrigue and war. 

But outside of the Olympic village life goes on as usual and there are many things to fear...but are they really. It seems to me that Scripture is pointing us in another direction, which is to trust God and live without fear. There is much that we can not control no matter how strong we think we are...and we know that God does not really smile on the strong, but on the meek and humble. Real power belongs to God, and God is acting for the good of those who love Jesus. We will be talking more about this Sunday, looking at how we deal with the giants in the land. 

valentines day

I have been asking people this year what they are going to give/do for Valentines Day. The answers are all over the spectrum with some doing nothing and others buying gifts and planning romantic dinners. It really doesn't matter what you do or don't do this year, but what does matter is how you think about and treat your spouse. Too often, it seems to me, we take those we love for granted, even to the point of ignoring them, or disparaging them. For me Valentines Day is a time to remember that my wife is important, really important to who and what I am. It is a day to take nothing for granted and to give thanks for that special person God has placed at the center of my life.

So, I hope you will in some way let your signifiant other know how much you value who they are and what they mean to you. I pray that you will appreciate the blessings of love you have been given.

This Sunday we will be looking at what the Bible says about marriage and how we are called to become one.

snow

Snow can be pretty (like on Tuesday) or dangerous like on December 20th and now this weekend. I am not a particular fan of snow, I prefer palm trees and warm breezes, so this has been a rough winter weather wise for me. But more than that it has been a rough winter for the church. Last Sunday was a very low attendance because of last Saturdays snow, and this Sunday looks to be even worse, I may have to cancel church for the first time in the 15 years I have been in Warrenton. Plus, weather forecasting is saying next Tuesday there will be more snow and some computer models say there will be snow Valentines weekend as well.

Here is what we are doing to counter the white onslaught:

Monday worship opportunities at 11am with Sunday School, and then worship Monday night at 6:30pm with a pot luck supper before. We will be serving communion at all services. Hopefully the roads will be clear by then!

Your contributions are very important also in this upside down time. We ended the year with a nice reserve, but it looks like the snow could erase that whole amount and put us in a negative cash position. We are one more week away from that happening.

There is discussion going on right now to make it possible to have online contributions, but there are some philosophical differences that have come up about that...so, until that is worked out, please send your regular offering to the church if you can't make it to worship! 

Blessings to all, stay warm!