Pastor's DeskPastor Marlene Ciranowicz
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Wonders Never Cease!
Another winter is almost gone. In just a few weeks we will be ushering
in springtime. Spring for me is a season of wonders. As we look at trees
without leaves, dead grass and the bleakness that seems to surround us in
winter, suddenly there is a change. Before our very eyes, the buds that will
turn into giant green leaves begin to appear as if over night to transform
the countryside into a lush forest. And then there are the flowers, one day
nothing and the next day little green sprouts springing up out of the ground
seemingly from nowhere. And the sun, it has found us again! Do I dare even
mention rain instead of snow? Spring is a season of wonders that never
cease.
Why do you think God created seasons? I can think of several reasons.
First, I think spring reminds us of the power of God to take something
seemingly dead and make it not only alive but beautiful. May we never
forget that what God can do in nature in springtime, He can do in us
anytime! Do not despair in this life! God will transform us into new
creatures when we give our all to Him. How can I be so sure? Because the
Bible says so, that’s why! Check out II Corinthians 5: 17.
I think another reason for the seasons, especially spring, is to give us
hope for the future. When things are looking dark and gloomy in the
winter, we know it is not going to last forever. Spring will come! Although
we may be in a place where things aren’t looking good right now, we can
have hope. Have you ever known a year where spring did not come, trees
didn’t get leaves and there were no flowers and only dead grass? It has
never happened in the history of mankind. We CAN trust our future to
God knowing He wants only the best for us. How can I be so sure? Because
the Bible says so, that’s why! Check out Matt 7: 9-11.
But the best reason of all I think God made seasons is that spring
reminds us of His great love for us. In our world today, the love of children
for their parents goes out the window sometimes over the smallest of
things. Siblings don’t talk to each other because of a multitude of reasons
but none so important that it must break up the family. Friends become
enemies and children are left abandoned figuratively and literally as parents
become workaholics to get more things or become selfish to do what they
want, not what is best for the children. And for that reason I believe God
choose spring for the resurrection of Jesus to take place. He knew we
needed love, lots of love. And, what better way to show love than to give
us Jesus. Jesus, who promised NEVER to leave us nor forsake us. Jesus, who
promised to give us the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us in this life.
Jesus, who gave His all out of love for us so that we might have it all with
His gift of eternal life that is ours because of the resurrection.
I hope, as you eagerly look forward to the signs of spring that will begin
to pop up all around you in the next few weeks, you will be reminded of
the one who created it all. There are many things that are uncertain in this
life but one thing we can be certain of is Jesus and His love for us. How can
I be so certain? Because the Bible says so, that’s why! Check out John 3: 16
and 17.
And, if you ever doubt God’s love, visit the cross and then the empty
tomb. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends. You are my friends”-John 15: 13-14a. And do you
remember what the angel said to the women at the tomb? “Do not be
afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. HE IS
NOT HERE; he has risen, just as he said.” Matt 28: 5-6. And that ultimate
promise Jesus made in John 14 that He will come back and take us to be
with him. That’s what I call love, agape love, which is the greatest love of
all!
See you Sunday! And remember, now is the time to get real with Jesus
because we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Jesus admonished us
not to spend time worrying about tomorrow in Matt 6! In other words,
remember Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice
and be glad in it” Happy Easter to one and all!
Blessings,
Pastor Marlene
in springtime. Spring for me is a season of wonders. As we look at trees
without leaves, dead grass and the bleakness that seems to surround us in
winter, suddenly there is a change. Before our very eyes, the buds that will
turn into giant green leaves begin to appear as if over night to transform
the countryside into a lush forest. And then there are the flowers, one day
nothing and the next day little green sprouts springing up out of the ground
seemingly from nowhere. And the sun, it has found us again! Do I dare even
mention rain instead of snow? Spring is a season of wonders that never
cease.
Why do you think God created seasons? I can think of several reasons.
First, I think spring reminds us of the power of God to take something
seemingly dead and make it not only alive but beautiful. May we never
forget that what God can do in nature in springtime, He can do in us
anytime! Do not despair in this life! God will transform us into new
creatures when we give our all to Him. How can I be so sure? Because the
Bible says so, that’s why! Check out II Corinthians 5: 17.
I think another reason for the seasons, especially spring, is to give us
hope for the future. When things are looking dark and gloomy in the
winter, we know it is not going to last forever. Spring will come! Although
we may be in a place where things aren’t looking good right now, we can
have hope. Have you ever known a year where spring did not come, trees
didn’t get leaves and there were no flowers and only dead grass? It has
never happened in the history of mankind. We CAN trust our future to
God knowing He wants only the best for us. How can I be so sure? Because
the Bible says so, that’s why! Check out Matt 7: 9-11.
But the best reason of all I think God made seasons is that spring
reminds us of His great love for us. In our world today, the love of children
for their parents goes out the window sometimes over the smallest of
things. Siblings don’t talk to each other because of a multitude of reasons
but none so important that it must break up the family. Friends become
enemies and children are left abandoned figuratively and literally as parents
become workaholics to get more things or become selfish to do what they
want, not what is best for the children. And for that reason I believe God
choose spring for the resurrection of Jesus to take place. He knew we
needed love, lots of love. And, what better way to show love than to give
us Jesus. Jesus, who promised NEVER to leave us nor forsake us. Jesus, who
promised to give us the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us in this life.
Jesus, who gave His all out of love for us so that we might have it all with
His gift of eternal life that is ours because of the resurrection.
I hope, as you eagerly look forward to the signs of spring that will begin
to pop up all around you in the next few weeks, you will be reminded of
the one who created it all. There are many things that are uncertain in this
life but one thing we can be certain of is Jesus and His love for us. How can
I be so certain? Because the Bible says so, that’s why! Check out John 3: 16
and 17.
And, if you ever doubt God’s love, visit the cross and then the empty
tomb. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends. You are my friends”-John 15: 13-14a. And do you
remember what the angel said to the women at the tomb? “Do not be
afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. HE IS
NOT HERE; he has risen, just as he said.” Matt 28: 5-6. And that ultimate
promise Jesus made in John 14 that He will come back and take us to be
with him. That’s what I call love, agape love, which is the greatest love of
all!
See you Sunday! And remember, now is the time to get real with Jesus
because we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Jesus admonished us
not to spend time worrying about tomorrow in Matt 6! In other words,
remember Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice
and be glad in it” Happy Easter to one and all!
Blessings,
Pastor Marlene