Midweek Message: Local Pilot

Midweek Devotion – Local Pilots

Psalm 77:19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. (NIV)

Dear Friends,

                             One of the most fascinating things about being on a cruise ship was watching the passenger liner come into a new harbor. Just before this happened, a small speed boat would suddenly appear beside the ship in order to let the local pilot come aboard. The pilot’s knowledge of the water depth, harbor walls, and submerged rocks ensured the ship’s safety as we proceeded to dock or undock. Without the pilot, the ship’s captain would not dare to enter or leave the harbor. However, with the pilot’s presence, the ship docked safely each time.

                             This process reminded me of my role here at First Presbyterian. It has been almost two years since you invited me to be your part-time interim. My purpose has been to keep you on the right course as a congregation and thankfully we have managed this together. Hopefully, we are soon coming to a point on our journey where my work as your pastoral pilot will be completed, and you will have a new skipper to lead you to better and brighter things.

                             The presence of the local pilots on the cruise ship also reminded me that every one of us has Christ as our individual pilot to lead us safely through turbulent times and troubled waters. In today’s world, we can all be overwhelmed by the chaos and corruption, callousness and conceit that have damaged us as a people, or even personally as individuals. As Thomas Paine once remarked, “these are times that try men’s souls,” so the stress and sorrow that we have for the world can adversely affect our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits. This is why we look to Christ to pilot us through these rough seas; this is why we need Him to guide us safely ashore.

May God bring you and your loved ones peace, hope, and faith to endure and overcome these troubled times.

Pastor John

Short Devotion: In God's Hands

Deuteronomy 33:3            Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction.

On Sunday mornings in many churches, young families come down to the front of the sanctuary to hear a story, sing a song, and say a prayer. One of the best family church songs is the old spiritual, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Kids love it and it’s always delightful to watch them with their parents sing together while doing the exaggerated actions to the words of this well-known simple song.

It's through those simple worship moments that the meaning, the unity, and the purpose of the church are experienced. We are called as a holy people, held in God's hands, worshiping His Son Jesus, and constantly guided by the Holy Spirit. We are made simply to enjoy God and to glorify the Lord forever. God’s words are spoken to every generation, and our faith is positively built up through the singing of simple songs that reach into our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls, which we will enjoy forevermore.

In my mind, I have this picture of everyone gathered together in glory, and we're all looking at the Earth, which is gently cupped in God's great hands. At that moment in eternity, wouldn't it be wonderful to sing the old spiritual and to truly experience it at the same time?

Sometimes, we feel isolated and all alone in this world. Sometimes, we just want the Earth to stop spinning, so that we can jump off. But in those moments of loneliness and vulnerability, we can also choose to remember that the Creator we worship loves people, just like us, holding them dearly in God’s hands.

Prayer:          Lord God, You are the One who created everything, and we live on such a tiny part of this gigantic universe. With all that is continually going on throughout the cosmos, we marvel that You love us so deeply and keep us in Your Holy Hands. Be with us this day and embrace us within Your everlasting arms. In Jesus' Name, we gladly pray. Amen.

 

Midweek Message: Strong Fortresses

Psalm 31:2b Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. (NIV)

Dear Friends,

My wife and I returned home from Europe recently. We had an amazing cruise vacation around the Mediterranean. We saw ports, towns, and cities in Italy, Croatia, Monaco, France, and Spain. It was a wonderful trip, filled with many happy memories and beautiful experiences. We know that jetlag will kick in soon, but we are grateful to have taken the opportunity to go and see different places, eat some new foods, and speak in different languages including a little Croatian!

In most of the ports on the Mediterranean Sea, there is usually a formidable fortress overlooking the harbor. This reminds us that throughout history, the Mediterranean has seen many conflicts. A lot of the ports also have narrow winding streets which were used to hide the inhabitants from invaders, as well as entrapping pirates and other conquerors from pillaging their towns. These days, those fierce-looking castles still experience many foreign invaders, usually carrying cellphones to take photos of the stern stone walls. Instead of being impenetrable powerhouses, the fortresses are now largely welcome centers and magnificent museums where tour groups and their guides gather to marvel at the structures and hear about their history.

At one time, large churches were also formidable buildings which were meant to make people feel small and vulnerable, sinful and unworthy. These fortresses of faith often presented a stern type of Christianity which sadly is still experienced in some congregations today. Thankfully, places like our own church, have become wonderful welcome centers and sanctuaries of refuge for the marginalized and victimized, as all as for the lonely and lost, where everyone is accepted as a child of God’s grace and truly loved by Christ.

May God’s grace be with you and all your loved ones.

Pastor John