For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

Throughout the past week our church building was filled with children, youth and adults during our Kids Camp.  We taught bible stories, emphasized through story, games, science and art.  We did a service project to help families in need and we had a lot of fun.

The culmination of all of this was Sunday after worship.  During the week, the children would be asked questions about the messages.  When they got right answers, they would get a ticket to vote on which leader got dunked Sunday after worship.  I “won”. 

Throughout the week I acted in skits, then led a group through the stations.  I like to create “marching chants” for the group to bind us together.  I act a little silly (although I still do not to motions to songs, sorry).  On Sunday I sat on the front steps of the church as two youth doused me with not one but two buckets of water. 

Sometimes it is a good thing to just act a little silly and have some fun.  Sometimes we need to put the seriousness of life on the shelf.  The kids had fun, learned about and experienced God’s love and isn’t that the point?

May you find some fun and peace in this week.

Pastor Bill

 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is powerful.  He knows what is about to happen, He knows it is the way of reconciliation yet the human Jesus does not want to do it. 

Often, we have things in life we must do yet do not want to do.  Very often they are hard, require major effort, and sometimes change us.  Yet we do not do them alone.  We can take them to God in prayer, and if God does not “take the cup from us” we do as God wants us to do. 

Usually there is something far better on the other side God is leading us towards.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

There is a lot happening around the world right now.  There is continued conflict in many nations.  There are too many shootings in our own country (and one is too many), and amidst a toxic political season, we have an assassination attempt. 

We need peace.

No matter what a person’s political viewpoint is, if one claims the mantle of Christ, one should strive for peace.

In this chaotic time, pray for peace.  Pray that the political temperature lowers and we can get back to reasonable discourse.  Pray that people inclined to do violence would, instead, hear God’s still voice.  Pray that we can peacefully disagree and still see the image of God in each other.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26-27

There have been times when I knew I needed to pray for someone, or about something, but did not have the words.  Maybe I did not know the situation (but knew someone needed prayer), sometimes I just don’t know what to ask for.  These are the times our prayer lives can grow, as well as our trust in God.  Don’t know what to pray for?  Just go to God in prayer.  As the Holy Spirit to intervene, to take over.  Sit in the silence and listen for God.  Take the time and allow whatever words come, for the Spirit will intercede, you will pray and the Father will hear.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

It is perhaps the most well known verse of scripture.  Multiple religions recognize it as sacred, multiple peoples are comforted by this psalm.  And it makes sense, we seem to need “so much” yet God is giving us what we really need – peace.  He leads us to the still waters, the green fields, the places of rest.  As we begin the month of July, allow the Lord to guide you to those places of peace.  I know I need to do the same.

Peace,

Pastor Bill