First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster (Cumberland)
Tuesday, 07 February 2012
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Open Door Articles July 7-19-05 "time"
Open Door Articles July 7-19-05 "time" | 7-19-05 "time" |
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| Tuesday, 19 July 2005 | |
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July 19, 2005. It's hard to believe that we're nearing the completion
of the seventh month of this year. And, hard to believe that for our
children they will be going back to school soon. Summer is busy ? maybe
even busier than the school months. We have so much that we would like
to do, so much that we need to do. We have camps, conferences,
vacations, weekend getaways, bible school, and it seems like at least a
thousand other things that occupy our time, our money, and our
energies. It just all flashes by. I got a stern, but gentle reminder of the importance of time this past Wednesday. Tracy and I were on our way to Atlanta to catch the plane that would take us on one of those weekend getaways. My cell phone rang. It was Jean Partridge. She told me that James' reports from the doctor were not good. James is very sick. It seems, there is an aggressive cancer alive in him. At this writing, we wait for more details from other tests. And, as we wait, we pray. And we hope. I'm glad we're living in the eighth chapter of Romans right now. I'm glad that as we help the Partridge's face this sad time all of us are reading and hearing proclaimed God's word from the eighth chapter of Romans. I'm glad that's where we are because we do not always understand what is going on in our lives, and we certainly don't always understand why we go through what go through. But, Paul reminds us that all of those questions that deal with our mortality, our humanity are okay. They are okay for us to ask and for us to feel because at work in us is a greater power. God's Spirit gifts us with unspeakable hope and peace and assurance. God's Spirit provides us with firm resolve to do battle with whatever comes at us. And, even in those deepest moments of fear and frustration when we reach out with our hands, and our hearts, and our voices and nothing comes out because we're empty ? just empty ? God's Spirit speaks for us " with sighs too deep for human words. " I give thanks to God each day for the gift of God's Spirit that moves within, through, and among us. That Spirit keeps us connected and helps us minster to each other. God's Spirit is, perhaps, the riches of all gifts God has granted. In everything that goes on around us we are more than conquerors through the power of God's Spirit. Thanks be to God! Grace and peace, Pastor Mark |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 19 July 2005 ) |