"60 seconds from 60th street weekly updated news"
courtesy of pastor jonathan
Edition 158
To keep the first church community in contact with each other, In communion with god, and to encourage each other in the middle of the week.
Prayer Thought For The Week: How can I prepare my heart for renewal and revival?
AUTUMN IS HERE
I notice the leaves are changing colors outside the parsonage window. As I have been traveling to Pennsylvania taking care of things with my in-laws and to get to the archaeological project area in Northern Pennsylvania, the leaves are beautiful this time of year. Last week I spent some time in the woods communing with God and His creation was stunning. The last couple of years have not been as colorful, I believe, as this year is. Unfortunately in this part of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, we do not have the trees that color to reds and purples. God’s creation, though, is painted with many colors.
There are seasons in life and seasons in ministry. When I was a youth pastor, the summer was just as busy if not more busy with ministry with the youth. During the summer they had more time for short-term mission trips, workcamps, bible studies and miniature golf. Then the first two months of the autumn were my down times, getting refreshed in the Lord, and preparing for the Fall Youth Retreat.
Jesus also had some down time. After calling the disciples and healing a man with leprosy, Jesus went off to a solitary place and prayed. Luke reports that Jesus did this many times. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16 NIV)
After a full day of ministry and feeding 5000, “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” (Matthew 14:22-23 NIV)
There are times in our lives and in the life of the church that we all need some down time. On the seventh day God rested after creating the heavens and the earth. On the seventh day God calls us to rest and meditate on him. Doctors tell us that if the body does not get enough rest it will eventually shut down and power down. I believe the same is true with our spiritual life. Some people work just as hard on Sunday as they do every other day of the week. We need spiritual refreshment and down time with the Lord.
If you find the Lord’s Day filled to the brim with work, even if it is school work, and if you find your spiritual life a bit off, maybe it’s time to spend more time with the Lord. While I was seminary, for about three weeks straight my Sunday consisted of teaching Sunday School, Worship Service, a meal with my wife and then to the books. Yes I was reading, writing, and studying about God, but I was not spending time with Him. And the fourth week was a disaster. I could not focus on my work. So I gave my seminary work a rest and then picked up on Monday. It worked. So I challenge you to be in the Lord, be with His people, and to put everything else that you can aside this Sunday. And see if your God time will not help your other time go smoother.
LORD of time past, time present, and future time, you desire a relationship with us as we talk with you everyday and give you full attention on your day, the Lord’s Day. Amen.
LORD of all creation, by your hands we were created from the dust of the earth. By your hands we have been saved and healed. By your hands we are fed. Help us Lord to use our hands in productive and constructive ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
