Pastor Dan - February 2016

 We are now a month into this new year of 2016 and I continue to work at changing some habits. I have found my art supplies and have been working on writing and illustrating an Advent devotional. I must share that I am so rusty at drawing and working with the basics of composition that I wonder if I will ever complete this project. I am so thankful for being a part of a community that is holding me accountable and even more than that, that I have a steadfast and faithful Lord. In His steadfastness and faithfulness I will live and keep the faith to accomplish the vision and dream of a devotional.

 In my struggles to rehearse and recapture some of my art skills, I am reminded of the power of stories in our lives. The story that has been playing again and again in my head is the story of the "Garden Hose" and the garden hose theory. Many of you are familiar with this theory, but for those who are not, I share the following. In spring, many go out to plant their gardens. They work hard tilling, turning and clearing. At some point, one gets thirsty, and in the old days, one would go to the garden hose for a drink. The hose has been sitting around all winter and God only knows what has accumulated in the hose in its time of sitting around unused. Do Not Drink from the hose until it's run awhile because what comes out in the first minute is full of junk and dirt and is not very pleasing to the palette. In order to drink and be satisfied with what comes out one must let the hose run and keep it running. What I've learned from this story over my years is that the faith life, to live in baptism, is something that should flow continually. If it is not flowing continually, what comes our when the Lord calls on us to act, is a bunch of junk that does not quench anyone's thirst. Faith isn't something we can turn off and turn on whenever we feel like it. Living in faith is a way of living life.

 The power of stories that shape us are remarkable. It;s remarkable how the stories of scripture and the words of scripture actually shape our being. Take a moment and think about how the words and stories of the Bible have shaped your understanding of forgiveness, of hope, of discipline, of love, of thankfulness. What has informed you, our touched in you in such a way that you learned thankfulness? What has informed you in regard to loving? I'll bet that the scripture and the Word have had significant input in regard to your understanding thankfulness and love. These realms of life are very much who you are and when we consider how scripture has shaped our being, we begin to see how God has indeed shaped our lives and our living. God indeed has been active in our lives and continues to be active in our living. God indeed has an incredible love and care for you and for me in very real and tangible ways.

  The amazing thing with the Lord is that we are always given opportunity to hear new stories, or hear old stories in new ways. In that hearing, we again are shaped, or reshaped, by the very hand of a very active and Risen Lord.

In Christ's love and service,

Pastor Dan