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July 2010 Pastor’s Newsletter
It won’t be long and we will be celebrating the Fourth. There will be picnics, fireworks, family reunions, and sunburns galore. As we enjoy this festive time of summer, let us also remember to enjoy a thankful relationship with our Lord! There is so much for which we should give thanks, especially when we compare the gifts our nation has received to those of other nations. While many countries struggle with war, self destruction, crumbling or damaged infrastructures, inefficient systems of electrical and water transfer, not to mention nearly inoperative governmental structures, the U.S.A. is still striding along, even though at times with a limp, keeping up with other world leader countries. Our water is safe to drink, 99.9% of the time the lights come on when we flip the switch, the gas stations have gas for our cars and trucks, and there is an overabundance of food in the grocery stores and supermarkets. All of these things do not just happen; don’t just appear magically from the back of a truck or a power station. Our Lord God has provided them for us, for our use, for our benefit, and for us to share with others.
And we need to remind ourselves often of how very important it is that we give thanks to God for such blessings. We also need to remember how quickly things can turn around in a nation, in a culture, and many of such beautiful blessings are removed. Look how quickly the livelihoods and blessings of folks along the shores of the Gulf changed in just six weeks. Consider how fast life changes for people who are caught in the paths of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, or flash floods. For many families, such disasters deeply affect them for years, long after the TV reporters and news anchors have gone back to their nice homes, apartments, and offices. The damaged lives remain behind as the spotlight-seeking public officials move on to the next newsworthy scenario and breaking story. The broken lives, broken homes, and broken businesses are left to sort out the pieces, find ways to seek progress in the midst of harsh realities, and, praise God, within such brokenness there are always church folks there to help out!
Church folks. People who understand life struggles. People who have lost, who have suffered, who have dealt with trials in life that were short term and long term.
Church folks. People who have looked life in the eyes and, with the power of the Lord, persevered through trials while giving thanks for the small things like clean water to drink, food to eat, clothes to wear, and homes to come back to at night. But even greater, these brothers and sisters in Christ know what it is like to share, to reach out to those in need, not for selfish recognition, not for good material to be used at the next country club or roundtable conversation, but simply because God calls them to care and to love others in the name of Jesus. This is America, and the Church of Jesus Christ still stands strong against the darkness of evil, of wrongdoing, and provides needed assistance in times of disasters.
So let us celebrate the Fourth of July, summer, the freedoms we have as a nation and the gifts with which we have been blessed. But let us celebrate even more the greatness of the Body of Christ, the depth and eternal nature of the love our Lord God has placed in our hearts for Him and for the people of this country.
There simply is no other place on this earth like the U. S. of A. Let us rejoice, let us give thanks, and let us continue to pray for, and work for, God’s leading presence in this land.
In continued prayer and much love,
Pastor Mik
Past Monthly Newsletters are available below in PDF format.
