Pastor's DeskPastor Marlene Ciranowicz
►more info |
|
God is With Us!
Nov/Dec 2021
Have you ever noticed that when you look up, how much you can see?
When our heads are down we see only the floor but when we look up we
not only can see all around us, we see the sky above us. The sky reminds us
heaven is our home; we are just passing through in this life to the next.
When you plan a trip what do you take with you? Essentials like clothes,
toothbrush, toothpaste, shoes etc. Just as we are journeying towards
heaven, there are some very important essentials we must take with us.
What could they be? How about faith (“Now faith is being sure of we hope
for and certain of what we do not see.”-Heb 11: 1)? How about hope?
(“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to
you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I
will be found by you, declares the Lord”-Jeremiah 29: 12-14a) Then there is
love (“Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-the greatest of
these is love”). Remember the commercial that says, “Got milk?” Well, as
believers we should be saying, “Got love?”, but more specifically, “Got
Jesus’ love?”
In the next two months we will celebrate several holidays. Thanksgiving
in November should help us remember how much God has blessed us over
the past year, despite the upheaval that is going on around us. With a
thankful heart then we are ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, our
Savior. Where would we be without him? There would be no faith to pack,
no hope to look forward to, no love to surround us even in our darkest
hours. All those go with us too into the New Year!
My twin’s husband was diagnosed in October with 5 very aggressive
nonoperable brain tumors. That’s enough to strike fear in anyone’s heart.
BUT Larry is a strong believer and so is my sister. While tears are being
shed (tears are a sign of love), there are also tears of thankfulness that
Larry does know the Lord. Whatever happens, Larry is in a win-win
situation. If God should decide to spare his life, great news! If God should
decide to bring him home, while difficult, we will see him again! Never than
in times like these am I more grateful for Jesus’ coming to save us. Death is
not the end but just the beginning of a whole new life…. at home!
I hope this holiday season you will take some time to reflect where you
stand in regards to your spiritual journey. Jesus gift of salvation is for all; it’s
not based on works nor what we have or have not done in the past. It’s
based upon realizing we can’t live a life pleasing to God without Jesus in our
heart. The gift is free for the taking. Why not end the year rejoicing as Job
said in the midst of a very difficult time: “I know my Redeemer lives! (Job
19: 25a) Do you? If you don’t, please come and speak to me or one of the
deacons. We would be delighted to show you how to find your way home!
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Blessings, Pastor Marlene
Have you ever noticed that when you look up, how much you can see?
When our heads are down we see only the floor but when we look up we
not only can see all around us, we see the sky above us. The sky reminds us
heaven is our home; we are just passing through in this life to the next.
When you plan a trip what do you take with you? Essentials like clothes,
toothbrush, toothpaste, shoes etc. Just as we are journeying towards
heaven, there are some very important essentials we must take with us.
What could they be? How about faith (“Now faith is being sure of we hope
for and certain of what we do not see.”-Heb 11: 1)? How about hope?
(“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to
you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I
will be found by you, declares the Lord”-Jeremiah 29: 12-14a) Then there is
love (“Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-the greatest of
these is love”). Remember the commercial that says, “Got milk?” Well, as
believers we should be saying, “Got love?”, but more specifically, “Got
Jesus’ love?”
In the next two months we will celebrate several holidays. Thanksgiving
in November should help us remember how much God has blessed us over
the past year, despite the upheaval that is going on around us. With a
thankful heart then we are ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, our
Savior. Where would we be without him? There would be no faith to pack,
no hope to look forward to, no love to surround us even in our darkest
hours. All those go with us too into the New Year!
My twin’s husband was diagnosed in October with 5 very aggressive
nonoperable brain tumors. That’s enough to strike fear in anyone’s heart.
BUT Larry is a strong believer and so is my sister. While tears are being
shed (tears are a sign of love), there are also tears of thankfulness that
Larry does know the Lord. Whatever happens, Larry is in a win-win
situation. If God should decide to spare his life, great news! If God should
decide to bring him home, while difficult, we will see him again! Never than
in times like these am I more grateful for Jesus’ coming to save us. Death is
not the end but just the beginning of a whole new life…. at home!
I hope this holiday season you will take some time to reflect where you
stand in regards to your spiritual journey. Jesus gift of salvation is for all; it’s
not based on works nor what we have or have not done in the past. It’s
based upon realizing we can’t live a life pleasing to God without Jesus in our
heart. The gift is free for the taking. Why not end the year rejoicing as Job
said in the midst of a very difficult time: “I know my Redeemer lives! (Job
19: 25a) Do you? If you don’t, please come and speak to me or one of the
deacons. We would be delighted to show you how to find your way home!
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Blessings, Pastor Marlene