July 27, 2016
Dear Friends and Family of Faith,
The electricity is back on, and I am home from vacation. It was a wonderful trip. Alaska is too beautiful and majestic to describe in a few words. Those of you who have been there know what I am talking about. Those of you who haven't been there should put it on your bucket list.
Speaking of bucket lists. A few years ago there was a movie playing in theaters called “The Bucket List”. The movie was about two gentlemen being confronted with their mortality. Having only a few months to live, they write a list of all the things they would like to do before they 'kick the bucket'. (If the expression is new to you, kicking the bucket is just another way to say dying.) As one of the men is a millionaire, price is no limit and so they head out on their adventure. They go sky diving, drive sleek sports cars and get tattoos. It really makes you think about what you would do in the same situation. For a lot of reasons, most of us never expect to accomplish or fulfill all the dreams which are being indefinitely carried on our bucket lists. Yet, there are some who pursue their bucket list with a vengeance. I actually have only a few things on my bucket list, and the trip to Alaska was right at the top of my list.
So, what's on your bucket list? It is my sincere hope that it is something constructive and life-giving. It is my prayer your days will be spent pursuing something of great value, beauty and delight.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I think this should be at the top of every Christians spiritual bucket list. Given this statement, everything else needs to take a back seat to seeking God. That's because when we have been made part of the family of faith through Jesus' death and resurrection, the big stuff has been taken care of.
One of the reasons I wanted to go to Alaska, other than snorkel of course, was to revel in the beauty and majesty of one of the last and largest untouched areas of wilderness. As I gazed upon this beauty, I could not help but be awed by the presence of God and all God’s handiwork. It thrilled me to know that so many people care so much about this beautiful treasure that they actively work to keep it pristine for future generations.
So, after all this, what's on your bucket list? We may not have the majesty and beauty of Alaska, but we do have the beauty of Wisconsin. (By the way I chuckled at the city folk who had never seen a bear or wild animal in the wild. They gasped when I showed them pictures of the bears in my backyard.) It is our job as stewards to help protect this beauty for future generations.
But, we also have the majesty and beauty of God’s Kingdom. As stewards of God’s Kingdom, it is our responsibility to join God in His kingdom work. Through The Church and beyond it, God is at work in the world drawing all people to Him. What a privilege to it is to be a part of such a beautiful and majestic endeavor.
Shalom,
Pastor Sandy
Dear Friends and Family of Faith,
The electricity is back on, and I am home from vacation. It was a wonderful trip. Alaska is too beautiful and majestic to describe in a few words. Those of you who have been there know what I am talking about. Those of you who haven't been there should put it on your bucket list.
Speaking of bucket lists. A few years ago there was a movie playing in theaters called “The Bucket List”. The movie was about two gentlemen being confronted with their mortality. Having only a few months to live, they write a list of all the things they would like to do before they 'kick the bucket'. (If the expression is new to you, kicking the bucket is just another way to say dying.) As one of the men is a millionaire, price is no limit and so they head out on their adventure. They go sky diving, drive sleek sports cars and get tattoos. It really makes you think about what you would do in the same situation. For a lot of reasons, most of us never expect to accomplish or fulfill all the dreams which are being indefinitely carried on our bucket lists. Yet, there are some who pursue their bucket list with a vengeance. I actually have only a few things on my bucket list, and the trip to Alaska was right at the top of my list.
So, what's on your bucket list? It is my sincere hope that it is something constructive and life-giving. It is my prayer your days will be spent pursuing something of great value, beauty and delight.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I think this should be at the top of every Christians spiritual bucket list. Given this statement, everything else needs to take a back seat to seeking God. That's because when we have been made part of the family of faith through Jesus' death and resurrection, the big stuff has been taken care of.
One of the reasons I wanted to go to Alaska, other than snorkel of course, was to revel in the beauty and majesty of one of the last and largest untouched areas of wilderness. As I gazed upon this beauty, I could not help but be awed by the presence of God and all God’s handiwork. It thrilled me to know that so many people care so much about this beautiful treasure that they actively work to keep it pristine for future generations.
So, after all this, what's on your bucket list? We may not have the majesty and beauty of Alaska, but we do have the beauty of Wisconsin. (By the way I chuckled at the city folk who had never seen a bear or wild animal in the wild. They gasped when I showed them pictures of the bears in my backyard.) It is our job as stewards to help protect this beauty for future generations.
But, we also have the majesty and beauty of God’s Kingdom. As stewards of God’s Kingdom, it is our responsibility to join God in His kingdom work. Through The Church and beyond it, God is at work in the world drawing all people to Him. What a privilege to it is to be a part of such a beautiful and majestic endeavor.
Shalom,
Pastor Sandy