Message from Pastor Brandi
COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY
- a note from our Pastor
I was feeling discouraged sitting at the computer keyboard struggling to find words for our New Year newsletter. Staring blankly at the screen was yielding no result, so I gave up and went to the kitchen. A Starkrimson pear decked in brilliant red, greeted me there. I considered scolding myself for dodging the task of preparing this note, but then gave myself completely over to the pear. The sensation of sweetness and the simplicity of the moment
caused me to pause and reflect on the many ways a person can experience the goodness of God, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in [God] (Psalm 34:8).”
I moved from the kitchen back to my office and looked out the window to see the gray sky yielding a steady, drizzling rain. Then the lyrics of a hymn came to mind, “Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead…clear the chaos and the clutter…be at peace, and simply be.” God’s design and desire is that we step away from noise and busy-ness so that we may be renewed. This is the model provided for us in Psalm 23, “God makes me lie
down in green pastures, God leads me beside quiet waters, God restores my soul.”
In this New Year may we all reserve a bit of quiet time to appreciate simplicity and draw near to the Lord, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from [God] comes my salvation. [God] alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2).” With the turning of a
calendar page, we release 2021 and look ahead to 2022. Whatever has been and whatever will be, we rest secure in the Lord.
Grace and joy,
Pastor Brandi
- a note from our Pastor
I was feeling discouraged sitting at the computer keyboard struggling to find words for our New Year newsletter. Staring blankly at the screen was yielding no result, so I gave up and went to the kitchen. A Starkrimson pear decked in brilliant red, greeted me there. I considered scolding myself for dodging the task of preparing this note, but then gave myself completely over to the pear. The sensation of sweetness and the simplicity of the moment
caused me to pause and reflect on the many ways a person can experience the goodness of God, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in [God] (Psalm 34:8).”
I moved from the kitchen back to my office and looked out the window to see the gray sky yielding a steady, drizzling rain. Then the lyrics of a hymn came to mind, “Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead…clear the chaos and the clutter…be at peace, and simply be.” God’s design and desire is that we step away from noise and busy-ness so that we may be renewed. This is the model provided for us in Psalm 23, “God makes me lie
down in green pastures, God leads me beside quiet waters, God restores my soul.”
In this New Year may we all reserve a bit of quiet time to appreciate simplicity and draw near to the Lord, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from [God] comes my salvation. [God] alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2).” With the turning of a
calendar page, we release 2021 and look ahead to 2022. Whatever has been and whatever will be, we rest secure in the Lord.
Grace and joy,
Pastor Brandi
