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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Lord, thank you for my friends"
December 9, 2009
On Wednesday morning I woke up and was amazed to see a sea of white
outside my window. It was snowing and it looked beautiful. I hadn't really
paid much attention to the weather forecast so I had no clue that this was
going to happen. What a surprise!
Just as the kids were getting excited about the prospect of having a snow
day at school, I suddenly realized what this meant for me. I had a parking
lot at church that needed to be cleared for a busy afternoon and evening of
activities. As of that morning, we didn't have a snow plowing contract for
this winter.
The snow couldn't have come at a worse time. This was to be the major
topic of discussion at our Trustees meeting on Thursday. I thought we had
more time. So I was scrambling on Wednesday morning to find someone
who could plow the lot on short notice at a reasonable price. You are
thinking "Good luck!" right? Then I had a thought.
I posted my need on Facebook. I asked my friends if they knew anyone
who would take the job at a fair price. Within a half hour I had five replies
and by the time I pulled into the church parking lot there was someone there
ready to do the work.
Facebook is great that way. It is a network of people who share some
connection through school, work, community or friendship and are able to
keep in touch via the internet. I had never really thought of it as a resource
before. I thought of it as a fun thing. On Wednesday I saw an even greater
value in my Facebook connection because my friends came through when I
put out a SOS.
Over the years I have come to see the Church in the same way. It is a
network of folks who share a common faith in God. We connect in
worship and fellowship events at the church. Yet we are linked by this bond
that extends into our personal and family lives.
Church is not what happens on Sunday morning. Church is the
community in which we live out our faith. It is people who care. It is people
who come together to worship God and encourage one another. In time of
crisis, the church becomes something even more special.
If you are an active member of a faith community, people rally around
you. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people reach out in love
with gifts of food, clothing, finances and hugs when tragedy strikes. The
church is a gift from God. It reminds us that we are not alone. In the faces
of our friends in that community, you can see the love of God, especially in
times of need.
I thank God for all my friends today. For in and through them, God has
blessed me. I pray you will be blessed in similar fashion as you look up and
reach out this holiday season. Head to church and be blessed by your
friends.
God Bless. See You In Church. Cal
December 9, 2009
On Wednesday morning I woke up and was amazed to see a sea of white
outside my window. It was snowing and it looked beautiful. I hadn't really
paid much attention to the weather forecast so I had no clue that this was
going to happen. What a surprise!
Just as the kids were getting excited about the prospect of having a snow
day at school, I suddenly realized what this meant for me. I had a parking
lot at church that needed to be cleared for a busy afternoon and evening of
activities. As of that morning, we didn't have a snow plowing contract for
this winter.
The snow couldn't have come at a worse time. This was to be the major
topic of discussion at our Trustees meeting on Thursday. I thought we had
more time. So I was scrambling on Wednesday morning to find someone
who could plow the lot on short notice at a reasonable price. You are
thinking "Good luck!" right? Then I had a thought.
I posted my need on Facebook. I asked my friends if they knew anyone
who would take the job at a fair price. Within a half hour I had five replies
and by the time I pulled into the church parking lot there was someone there
ready to do the work.
Facebook is great that way. It is a network of people who share some
connection through school, work, community or friendship and are able to
keep in touch via the internet. I had never really thought of it as a resource
before. I thought of it as a fun thing. On Wednesday I saw an even greater
value in my Facebook connection because my friends came through when I
put out a SOS.
Over the years I have come to see the Church in the same way. It is a
network of folks who share a common faith in God. We connect in
worship and fellowship events at the church. Yet we are linked by this bond
that extends into our personal and family lives.
Church is not what happens on Sunday morning. Church is the
community in which we live out our faith. It is people who care. It is people
who come together to worship God and encourage one another. In time of
crisis, the church becomes something even more special.
If you are an active member of a faith community, people rally around
you. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people reach out in love
with gifts of food, clothing, finances and hugs when tragedy strikes. The
church is a gift from God. It reminds us that we are not alone. In the faces
of our friends in that community, you can see the love of God, especially in
times of need.
I thank God for all my friends today. For in and through them, God has
blessed me. I pray you will be blessed in similar fashion as you look up and
reach out this holiday season. Head to church and be blessed by your
friends.
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.
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