Year: 2021
THE STAKES OF FELLOWSHIP
There are risks involved when we choose to belong; when we choose to care; when we choose to serve — but the rewards far outweigh the rip-offs. It’s only within that context of fellowship, of choosing to belong, that we become Christ like!
SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A PROCESS THAT TAKES TIME
Some Christian biographers gloss over the humanity of godly people and imply that if you don’t pray for 10 hours a day, move to the jungle, and plan to die as a martyr you can forget spiritual maturity. This is discouraging for the average believer.
ONLY SMALL BIRDS SING
I love to open the windows in the morning and hear the birds singing! It’s occurred to me that only smaller birds sing! Crows, vultures, turkeys — forget it! But the little ones sing beautifully! Here in the Pacific Northwest (i.e. Brookings, Oregon) we have the lark, junco, chickadee, finch, towhee, etc. I especially love to hear doves — so peaceful.
MR. GARTRELL AND THE BUZZER — GOD AND HIS GRACE
Aren’t you glad our walk with the Lord, as believers in Jesus, is not one of legalism and punishment? To be sure, we are to present ourselves completely to the Lord, willing to do His bidding — but when we fall short we are not punished; instead, we are disciplined, corrected, admonished to forsake our sin. Once we do that, we simply continue our daily walk with Jesus.
WE NEED TO HANG OUT
The solution to Thomas’ feelings of depression, hurt, and abandonment — and to us when we feel like that — is simply this: Surety comes most often in the fellowship of others! Thomas missed out the first time Jesus appeared because he wasn’t there to see Him!