| Welcome to the First Baptist Church of Norwich 239 West Main Street Norwich, Connecticut Phone: 860-889-0369 |
Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Don't Forget the Benefits"
February 14, 2008
There is something very titillating about the mailbox isn't there? I know
I've had a sweet fascination with it since I was a boy. It was the place
where birthday cards and Christmas greetings entered our home. The
Sears catalogue, Highlights Magazine and letters from friends all used it as
the portal to our door step. I would run to the mailbox every day after
school to see what new and exciting delivery was coming our way. Rarely
was I disappointed because there was always something interesting in the
mix of letters, magazines and advertisements that arrived anew each day.
It has been forty years since those days when I would run to the mailbox
from the bus. A lot has changed. Today we have the Internet and many
people are using on-line catalogues to shop. We have email and instant
messaging to connect with our friends. Sending letters is becoming a lost
art. Yet I still love to go to the mailbox every day. Like a kid at a birthday
party, I still get excited to see what the mailman will bring. That ten year
old is alive and well inside of me. Today I don't even have to go outside
because the mail comes into our front hall through a slot in the door.
So that's why last week I was stunned to pick through the mail to find a
letter addressed to me that I thought had to be a mistake. Then I thought it
must have been a joke perpetrated on me by one of my "not so funny"
friends. It had my name on it, but in the right hand corner where the
return address is usually found were the letters AARP. I had to look at it
twice. I looked again not because I couldn't see the letters. I looked
because they were so big and bold as if the recipient had to have them that
big to read them.
I opened the letter and was surprised to see a card inside with my name on
it. The letter itself became a blur. I put it away thinking I better hide this
before anyone finds out because then they might start thinking I am old
enough to be a card carrying member of the AARP. For the next five days
I tried to ignore it. Then I mentioned it to a friend of mine who will also be
turning fifty this year. What he said was something that appealed to
another part of my brain. George said he was looking forward to get his
card because then he could enjoy all the benefits that came with it.
"Benefits?" I asked. George shared the fact that AARP wasn't just about
getting old. It was about networking with others and reaping the blessings.
As I pondered this, it suddenly hit me that maybe I had reacted a little too
quickly. I had let my bias, my earlier impressions influence me and I
hadn't given this letter its due.
As I left my friend I began thinking about the number of people who do
the same thing when it comes to church. Some people don't attend
services because they think the church is for "religious types." They think
that they wouldn't be welcome because they aren't good enough or that
they don't know enough. Well here is the good news. Jesus doesn't care
what your know or where you've been. He simply wants to invite you to
join him in the community of faith. He wants you to get to know God and
all of His benefits.
You see church has its benefits. Not only will you be able to worship God
and learn more about Him, you will also be surrounded by a community of
people who care about you. Once you join a church, you will have family
and friends who will walk with you through life, through the ups and
downs. You will have friends to confide in, to pray with and to laugh with.
What's more you will find a group of people who are committed to making
this world a better place. You may end up working on a Habitat project or
serving in a soup kitchen, or visiting a sick or frail neighbor. So what are
you waiting for?
If you have been put off by church in the past, it's time to think about it
again. Don't let your bias scare you aware. Step out and enjoy the benefits
of CHURCH.It's like AARP only you don't have to be as old as I am to
enjoy it.
God bless! See you in church! Cal
February 14, 2008
There is something very titillating about the mailbox isn't there? I know
I've had a sweet fascination with it since I was a boy. It was the place
where birthday cards and Christmas greetings entered our home. The
Sears catalogue, Highlights Magazine and letters from friends all used it as
the portal to our door step. I would run to the mailbox every day after
school to see what new and exciting delivery was coming our way. Rarely
was I disappointed because there was always something interesting in the
mix of letters, magazines and advertisements that arrived anew each day.
It has been forty years since those days when I would run to the mailbox
from the bus. A lot has changed. Today we have the Internet and many
people are using on-line catalogues to shop. We have email and instant
messaging to connect with our friends. Sending letters is becoming a lost
art. Yet I still love to go to the mailbox every day. Like a kid at a birthday
party, I still get excited to see what the mailman will bring. That ten year
old is alive and well inside of me. Today I don't even have to go outside
because the mail comes into our front hall through a slot in the door.
So that's why last week I was stunned to pick through the mail to find a
letter addressed to me that I thought had to be a mistake. Then I thought it
must have been a joke perpetrated on me by one of my "not so funny"
friends. It had my name on it, but in the right hand corner where the
return address is usually found were the letters AARP. I had to look at it
twice. I looked again not because I couldn't see the letters. I looked
because they were so big and bold as if the recipient had to have them that
big to read them.
I opened the letter and was surprised to see a card inside with my name on
it. The letter itself became a blur. I put it away thinking I better hide this
before anyone finds out because then they might start thinking I am old
enough to be a card carrying member of the AARP. For the next five days
I tried to ignore it. Then I mentioned it to a friend of mine who will also be
turning fifty this year. What he said was something that appealed to
another part of my brain. George said he was looking forward to get his
card because then he could enjoy all the benefits that came with it.
"Benefits?" I asked. George shared the fact that AARP wasn't just about
getting old. It was about networking with others and reaping the blessings.
As I pondered this, it suddenly hit me that maybe I had reacted a little too
quickly. I had let my bias, my earlier impressions influence me and I
hadn't given this letter its due.
As I left my friend I began thinking about the number of people who do
the same thing when it comes to church. Some people don't attend
services because they think the church is for "religious types." They think
that they wouldn't be welcome because they aren't good enough or that
they don't know enough. Well here is the good news. Jesus doesn't care
what your know or where you've been. He simply wants to invite you to
join him in the community of faith. He wants you to get to know God and
all of His benefits.
You see church has its benefits. Not only will you be able to worship God
and learn more about Him, you will also be surrounded by a community of
people who care about you. Once you join a church, you will have family
and friends who will walk with you through life, through the ups and
downs. You will have friends to confide in, to pray with and to laugh with.
What's more you will find a group of people who are committed to making
this world a better place. You may end up working on a Habitat project or
serving in a soup kitchen, or visiting a sick or frail neighbor. So what are
you waiting for?
If you have been put off by church in the past, it's time to think about it
again. Don't let your bias scare you aware. Step out and enjoy the benefits
of CHURCH.It's like AARP only you don't have to be as old as I am to
enjoy it.
God bless! See you in church! Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |