Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

There is a legend that John, in his older years, would only say to the congregation “Little children, love one another.”  When asked why that was his only teaching he replied “for it is enough.”

Jesus gave us a new commandment Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34)”.  He also summed up the law of the prophets this way; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39).

Love does cover a multitude of sins.  We are all imperfect, we all do things that are wrong, or hurtful (even unintentionally).  Yet when we love one another, we can overcome these things and still remain in harmony and fellowship.

Imagine how powerful your place of work, or school, or church or any organization can be if everyone really cared for each other.  We would all be more productive, more compassionate and more like Jesus.

As you go through this week, practice love.  If there is someone around you who is hard to love, pray for them and extend them more grace.  Be more loving.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  Psalm 23

This past weekend my daughter was in her high school musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”, a parody of a budget science fiction movie.

Her big song is “Somewhere That’s Green” a ballad of desire for something better than the life lived in “skid row”.  While filled with humorous lyrics about the wish for a washer, dryer and iron, it is also a plea for a better place “somewhere that’s green.”

Look at what David says in Psalm 23; “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³ He restoreth my soul…”

God’s creation, this beautiful green earth, is truly soul restoring.  The more we get outside and see the flowers and trees blooming, the fields returning to the growth state, the more restoration we can experience.  The more we lean on God, the more God will lead us to those places of restoration.

As you journey through this week, get outside, get away from whatever routine you have, experience the beauty of God’s creation and be restored.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…1 Peter 1:3

We have traveled together through the long Lenten season.

We have celebrated the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem.

We have received Holy Communion on Thursday.

We witnessed the Crucifixion on Friday.

Then, finally, we celebrated the Resurrection on Sunday with grandeur.

Now it is Monday.  How are you doing? 

While Monday is back to work or school filled with more things to do, are we holding onto that incredible news?  He is Risen (He is Risen, Indeed!).  What does this mean for your upcoming week?  What does it mean as you sit in a doctor’s office or at the shop as the car is being fixed?  How does the resurrection of Jesus impact you?

We should be people of the resurrection.  It is more than what happens to us when we die, the resurrection is God’s promise that not even death can hold us back.  We have a living hope.

As you travel through this new week, go with the joy and promise of Sunday. 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:7-74

Today has not started off well.  It was hard to wake up this morning, we were running late and I’m struggling to get things going. The list of projects to be done over the weekend remain (well, I am 99% finished with one of them) which are now added to the already over scheduled day.  Tensions were running high as we all left, and I’ve said things that were hardly helpful.  In plain words, it is Monday.

As I contemplate these verses from Psalm 119, I wonder “does anyone who believes in God rejoice when they see me?”  Because of his belief, the Psalmist declares that others will rejoice.  I’m lucky if the dog is happy to see me this morning. 

But then I consider verse 77:  Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 

In the end, it is God’s mercy that we seek, that we need.  No matter what happens in this day, I need to seek God’s mercy, and extend it to others.  Even if I don’t get my work completed.

As you journey through this Holy Week, contemplate on God’s mercy for you, and the mercy you can give to others.

Peace,

Pastor Bill