Here we have a picture of Denali, Rachell and Andrew Pomerville with Don and Beth Gordon.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pastors Past and Present
Church in the Hills was blessed this last week with the opportunity to share in worship with former pastor of the church Rev. Don Gordon and his wife Beth Gordon, who were in town celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary. Congratulations to them both! This was an amazing time for the congregation to remember fond memories of the church while sharing the hope we have for the future.
Here we have a picture of Denali, Rachell and Andrew Pomerville with Don and Beth Gordon.
Here we have a picture of Denali, Rachell and Andrew Pomerville with Don and Beth Gordon.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Changes
My wife is due in a little more than a month with our second child. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous about all the changes our new son will bring into our lives. This transition from a family of three to a family of four has thrown me for a loop – How will we travel? Will they both sleep through the night? Will there be enough room in our house? Will there be enough food? Will our lives look anything like they do now?
The last question is the one that’s been weighing on me the most because I know the answer.
No, our lives will never look the same as they do now.
This realization can provide either a moment of dread, fear, and confusion or a sense of anticipation, joy, and hope. I’m leaning toward the latter. I know things will be different but I have to believe they will be different in an amazingly wonderful way. Change is not a negative thing. In this case, change is related to one of the most powerful life experiences for my family.
Within our spiritual walks, we are constantly assaulted by external factors – good and bad. These outside stimuli inevitably lead to changes in our lives that force us to react, adapt, and move forward. From a faith perspective, it is comforting to be assured that our spiritual journey is not a static one. We continue to grow in our faith, knowledge, and understanding of God’s grace and love. We are not the same now as we were last week, last month, last year, or even ten years ago. However, God is constant and unchanging while we continue to see bits and pieces of the whole picture during this growth of faith that comes through the Holy Spirit.
We cannot predict how our faith will be affected by tragedy, grief, loss, and confusion. However, we do know that our God will be a constant presence and support. I’m not sure how my faith will be affected by the birth of my son, a change in my family, new questions about parenting, and what I am called to be in this community; but I do trust that God who is faithful and just will work all my self-doubts, questions, and anxiety for good.
The last question is the one that’s been weighing on me the most because I know the answer.
No, our lives will never look the same as they do now.
This realization can provide either a moment of dread, fear, and confusion or a sense of anticipation, joy, and hope. I’m leaning toward the latter. I know things will be different but I have to believe they will be different in an amazingly wonderful way. Change is not a negative thing. In this case, change is related to one of the most powerful life experiences for my family.
Within our spiritual walks, we are constantly assaulted by external factors – good and bad. These outside stimuli inevitably lead to changes in our lives that force us to react, adapt, and move forward. From a faith perspective, it is comforting to be assured that our spiritual journey is not a static one. We continue to grow in our faith, knowledge, and understanding of God’s grace and love. We are not the same now as we were last week, last month, last year, or even ten years ago. However, God is constant and unchanging while we continue to see bits and pieces of the whole picture during this growth of faith that comes through the Holy Spirit.
We cannot predict how our faith will be affected by tragedy, grief, loss, and confusion. However, we do know that our God will be a constant presence and support. I’m not sure how my faith will be affected by the birth of my son, a change in my family, new questions about parenting, and what I am called to be in this community; but I do trust that God who is faithful and just will work all my self-doubts, questions, and anxiety for good.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
When the body just says no...
I returned from my continuing education event at Princeton on Saturday night. It was an amazing event and inspired me to take careful stock of my leadership strengths and weaknesses while thoughtfully considering how the leadership of our church could me more effective in following the mission Christ puts before us.
So there I was after worship on Sunday preparing for a fantastic week...and then I wasn't.
No one "plans" on getting sick. I understand that. I also know that there really is no "good time" to get the flu - but why now?
After two days of pain, chicken broth, and Gatorade, I'm back at the church and ready to again resume active ministry.
Besides illness, are there other physical limitations that hold us back from doing what we truly feel called to do? I ask this in response to our recent classes on the struggles in Israel and Palestine. During the classes, we were emotionally moved by the stories of pain, death, disease, displacement, and hate. However, we were at a loss as to what we could do being in Northern Michigan. It seems impossible to make a difference.
It is.
It is if we think it is all up to us and our abilities. However, it is possible for us to be used by the Holy Spirit to do the impossible. Our God works miracles in our midst and uses us, even sinners like us, to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
We must not lose hope or the assurance of God's grace to overcome darkness in the world. Rather, we must turn to God in prayer confident that the Lord can work all things for God - in spite of the impossibilities and limitations around us.
Pray - love - and show God's grace in the way we seek to serve one another.
Peace,
Pastor Andrew
So there I was after worship on Sunday preparing for a fantastic week...and then I wasn't.
No one "plans" on getting sick. I understand that. I also know that there really is no "good time" to get the flu - but why now?
After two days of pain, chicken broth, and Gatorade, I'm back at the church and ready to again resume active ministry.
Besides illness, are there other physical limitations that hold us back from doing what we truly feel called to do? I ask this in response to our recent classes on the struggles in Israel and Palestine. During the classes, we were emotionally moved by the stories of pain, death, disease, displacement, and hate. However, we were at a loss as to what we could do being in Northern Michigan. It seems impossible to make a difference.
It is.
It is if we think it is all up to us and our abilities. However, it is possible for us to be used by the Holy Spirit to do the impossible. Our God works miracles in our midst and uses us, even sinners like us, to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
We must not lose hope or the assurance of God's grace to overcome darkness in the world. Rather, we must turn to God in prayer confident that the Lord can work all things for God - in spite of the impossibilities and limitations around us.
Pray - love - and show God's grace in the way we seek to serve one another.
Peace,
Pastor Andrew
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)