JUNE 2008

 

"I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way." (1 Corinthians 1: 4-5a)

             When I look at the calendar it says that June is almost here; and that summer is about to break through. Yet here I sit in my office in the last days of May, the furnace is running and I am still chilled. Summer is coming soon, before long we will be picnicking, swimming, and doing all those great summer games. One other thing that June brings is the Annual Conference. One thing that I notice about Annual Conference this year is that the retirees are getting younger, why some of them are even younger than me!

            We all tend to look for some security in life. Something we can hold on to, something that will make us feel save. In "Hope for Each Day" by Billy Graham, I found this devotional about the Greatest Security.

            "Someone has said that the only certainty in life is uncertainty - and it is true. Governments collapse, stock markets plummet, wars destroy, disasters strike, relationships end. As the writer of Hebrews put it, 'Here we have no continuing city' (Heb.13:14) Yet deep in the human heart is a yearning for security - a yearning that will not go away. We know we need a solid foundation to life, a foundation that cannot be shaken. Where will it be found? Only God never changes. His love does not change, and neither do His promises. That is why we can look to Him for the security and stability we all seek. King David knew the secret: 'He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.' Salvation is not an occasional, vague feeling of God's presence. It is actually dwelling with God, secure in His presence forever."

            One of the things that summer has a tendency to do is to take our focus from God and place it on the activities of the season. It is so easy to busy our lives with the fun and games of summer that our salvation becomes the vague and occasional presence of God. We need to remember that our God is a full-time God. He loves us in every season of our lives. So enjoy the summer and we will see you all in church on Sunday mornings, as we praise God from who all blessings flow.

 

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jim