Pastor's Message
Dear friends,
The September marketing themes have returned in full force. Advertisers highlight the return to school and the ritual of back to school shopping. It is the certain sign that summer has ended. It is also a time to return to church. Many of us travel and enjoy vacations throughout the summer months. These are important times for refreshing our spirits. Yet, faith is a call to meet the challenges of the day and discover how Christ leads us to be more than conquerors in all things. Being in church allows us to be open to that faith discovery!
The scripture says this about the faith of some of the Old Testament believers. They “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” (Hebrews 11: 33-34).
What an outcome of being faithful! That is describing faith in the forefront of living life. In his book, “The Hero in Thy Soul,” Arthur John Gossip (yes, that’s his name) writes, “These are thrilling words that stir the heart and make the blood run faster, that tell of tremendous and exciting happenings.” This isn’t faith in the background trying to find the light of day. This is faith that changes the world. That’s the gift that Christ leaves His Church.
Arthur Gossip also describes faith that is less than heroic: “Largely, it is through that unheroic pettiness of ours that we are losing youth, whose eyes run across religion, as we live it, and pass on, searching for something more daring and interesting and exciting, something bigger to do with one’s life.” The Savior of the world is Jesus. Let Him be the Hero in your Soul. Be drawn to Him and the faith that stirs the heart and makes the blood run faster. See you in church!
Hallelujah,
Mark A. Stewart
