Pastor Dan - March 2021
Pastor Dan • February 28, 2021
I went and did it. I FINALLY got my hair cut. I had not cut my hair since late April of 2020. I had stated that I would get my hair cut once a vaccine was available and in my arm. The vaccine is available, but I’m not sure when I will get vaccinated. My hair never got long enough to put it in a ponytail and that disappointed me. I was thinking of continuing to let it grow until I could, but then Lent came along. So, the day before Ash Wednesday, I gave up for Lent my vision and dream of having a ponytail in my 60’s. The thing that convinced me to get it cut was my word. Getting my hair cut when a vaccine became available is my word. As a leader in the church, but more importantly being a disciple of Christ, our word should mean something. Even if that word, or maybe knowing keeping God’s Word will involve sacrifice.
In my sixty-three years of living in this world, it seems that I have watched word and words become a widespread commodity to manipulate, to “spin”, to deceive, to cheapen and to flat out lie and deny truth. I am very disappointed and even frustrated in watching the slow decline of integrity and honor regarding word and words. When I was younger, there was a phrase that I used and the phrased was used by others much more frequently than I hear today and that phrase is, “You have my word.” When is the last time you heard this phrase spoken in our society or in our neighbors and even in and from our own mouth?
As I read this morning’s scriptures, what struck me today were these words, “Blessed are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2). These words are more than pure wisdom and truth. They are God’s Word spoken in a manner that it happens and will always happen without modifications, spins, altering or reconstruction. They say and do what they say. Read these words again and know that the Lord had them written down for you… you and you alone. Read them and know that you are blessed by the God of Grace and Glory.
These words are spoken by the Lord who says, “You have my Word”. Take a moment to consider this statement, “You have MY Word.” We have God’s Word written for us. We have God’s Word delivered to us. We have God’s Word dwelling in our very being by the shear and explosive grace of God who desires nothing but blessedness and fullness of life for you. We hear this in the words spoken by the Christ who informs His disciples that He will go to Jerusalem to die and rise. This is His Word. This is the Word He gives to the world. And being God’s Word, it happens.
During this unique time as Church and nation and humanity, I spend time in earnest prayer praying that you take advantage of hearing God’s Word and having His Word bless you in these difficult days. There are very few venues in our world today to hear Words which are pure and true. To hear words with no agenda, no spin, no manipulation is a rare commodity, but so easily available. I pray you hear God’s Word which strike a chord in your very core which speak of pure divine love and grace for you. You have His Word.
In Christ’s Love and Service,
Pastor Dan