Pastor's DeskPastor Marlene Ciranowicz
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2020 Is Finally Over!
Jan/Feb 2021
How many of us would ever want to repeat the year, 2020? Do I hear a groan? I certainly don’t want too. It was truly a year like no other and one for the history books, that’s for sure! But we got through it with all its ups and downs, didn’t we?
Sometimes during difficult times we lose sight of the blessings intertwined or the lessons to be learned. I think one of the things we all learned in 2020 is that life can be quickly taken away. We heard or read story after story throughout the year about people who were fine one day and a week later they were gone.
It has been a difficult year but now what do we do with the mess it left us? The country is so divided over so many things. The violence and harshness that was unleashed in 2020 was unprecedented. But it’s no longer 2020, so now what?
As we wearily come into 2021, the Apostle Paul has some sound advice for us. He says in Galatians 6: 9: “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.
How do we treat people who don’t agree with us on various issues? Well, in 2020 it seemed with a lot of disrespect, disgust, and downright alienation even among those who profess to be believers of Jesus. Is this behavior pleasing to God? Have we forgotten that God is in control, not us? He has allowed 2020 to happen and He has a reason even if we don’t know what that reason is. However, we can rest assured that it is a good one. Remember silver has to go through the fire before it can be purified!
We have a wonderful opportunity right before us to do good in the New Year in the midst of a dark and troubling world. Good that will go further because it is a dark and troubling world. The early church faced much opposition and persecution but what did they do? They continued pressing on in their faith and reaching out to others. Deeds, not words (silence can be golden!), can be very effective in revealing God’s love.
I hope as we begin our journey in 2021 it will be with a focus on God and treating others as we would like to be treated. Let us stop the divisiveness that’s all around us and be part of the healing process. Let us 3 look up and prepare to live a life that is pleasing to Him, not what pleases others.
Happy New Year! May God bless each of you richly in 2021 and may you be drawn closer to Him!
Blessings,
Blessings, Pastor Marlene
How many of us would ever want to repeat the year, 2020? Do I hear a groan? I certainly don’t want too. It was truly a year like no other and one for the history books, that’s for sure! But we got through it with all its ups and downs, didn’t we?
Sometimes during difficult times we lose sight of the blessings intertwined or the lessons to be learned. I think one of the things we all learned in 2020 is that life can be quickly taken away. We heard or read story after story throughout the year about people who were fine one day and a week later they were gone.
It has been a difficult year but now what do we do with the mess it left us? The country is so divided over so many things. The violence and harshness that was unleashed in 2020 was unprecedented. But it’s no longer 2020, so now what?
As we wearily come into 2021, the Apostle Paul has some sound advice for us. He says in Galatians 6: 9: “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.
How do we treat people who don’t agree with us on various issues? Well, in 2020 it seemed with a lot of disrespect, disgust, and downright alienation even among those who profess to be believers of Jesus. Is this behavior pleasing to God? Have we forgotten that God is in control, not us? He has allowed 2020 to happen and He has a reason even if we don’t know what that reason is. However, we can rest assured that it is a good one. Remember silver has to go through the fire before it can be purified!
We have a wonderful opportunity right before us to do good in the New Year in the midst of a dark and troubling world. Good that will go further because it is a dark and troubling world. The early church faced much opposition and persecution but what did they do? They continued pressing on in their faith and reaching out to others. Deeds, not words (silence can be golden!), can be very effective in revealing God’s love.
I hope as we begin our journey in 2021 it will be with a focus on God and treating others as we would like to be treated. Let us stop the divisiveness that’s all around us and be part of the healing process. Let us 3 look up and prepare to live a life that is pleasing to Him, not what pleases others.
Happy New Year! May God bless each of you richly in 2021 and may you be drawn closer to Him!
Blessings,
Blessings, Pastor Marlene