My
heart is joyous as I walk down the hall of our Christian Ministry Center and
see all the toys donated for the Salvation Army Angel Tree, as I smell the
goodness of lunches served after an excellent Music and Meditation service, as
I interact with special needs youth in a newly formed program, “Unique People
of Purpose” learning to practice culinary arts under the direction of our
members, as I hear the laughter of preschool kids down the hall and laughter at
the other end as friends greet coming into the Ministry Center. There is vitality and health in Eastminster,
and I can’t help but believe the Lord has anointed us shine God’s love in dark
times every single day.
The
other day I was kayaking in a dense fog.
The fog blanketed me and I could only go forward by looking at the
pattern of wind-blown waves on the water and listen carefully for sounds coming
from shores I could not see. I was in
the middle of the lagoon and there was no land in sight. It made me think of how many navigate life
today. It’s hard to maintain
direction—not just on the kayak, but for all of us in life.
It
made me remember a story told of a famous pastor who was traveling by boat from
France to England on a foggy night. The
pastor was up on the bridge with the captain.
He remarked, “It is amazing how you get your ship home safely in the fog
through the rocks of the channel.” The
captain pointed through the fog to a dim light.
He said, “Do you see that light?”
That’s actually four lights and when they line up as one, I know I am
heading safely.” The pastor thought,
“That’s how it is with navigating life in God’s will. It’s a lining up of the lights. When we
listen and hear the voice of God, when we read God’s Word, when we get the
counsel of Christian friends and when circumstances of life line up together,
we can be reasonably sure we are in God’s will.”
I
hope you use the days ahead to “line up your lights.” Worship will be very rich in the coming
weeks. I particularly invite you to
bring friends to the Sunday December 22 “Glory of Christmas” concert where
orchestra, choir and singers of all ages will bring home the reality of God’s
love in sending God’s only Son Jesus.
This is a message which will be expanded upon Christmas Eve at 4, 6 and
8 p.m. Again, bringing friends and
family will only make the experience richer.
Read the Bible versions of Christmas found in Matthew chapters 1-2, Luke
1-2, and John 1. Reach out to others
with the love of God as God leads, and chances are the lights will “line up.”
Blessings
in the Holy Season! I look forward to
experiencing the love of God together and continuing to live our purpose in the
church and world as we head into 2020.
Thanks be to God for your faithfulness, generosity, and love without
which the vitality at Eastminster and God’s light in the world would not be
present in mission and ministry to the extent it is today!
With
Love at Christmas,
Pastor Tim
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