Pastor’s Perspective – August 2009

How is it possible that we are heading into fall already.  The morning air is crisp, the grass is turning brown and the gardens are being harvested.  How can I say that now when I am looking out and seeing green grass, August heat, and the gardens in full bloom?  Well, I am 61 years old and have been living in Springdale 31 years, and I have seen the seasons come and go every year.  The God of heaven and earth has also made promises some 4000 years ago that have never failed to come true. If you don’t believe me, at least trust the God who has promised, “and cannot lie” that fall is coming.  The scary thing is that I can still remember shoveling all that snow last winter. I think it is true that time goes faster as we get older.

Another truth that I want to remind you of is that God also said that in the midst of normal, God will suddenly come back to planet earth “to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place”.  (Daniel 9:24).

In the book of Matthew, chapter 24 Jesus talks about the time when God will once again interrupt normal.  The Bible says that it will be a surprise and that no one will knows the time or date.  In fact it will come “like a thief in the night”.  But, the Bible also says: “Therefore, be on the alert..” ; “For this reason you to be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”   I don’t know when it will start snowing, but I would be wise to have my wood in and my house ready for the coming winter storms. I would be wise to have a generator ready if the power goes out. I would be wise to gather in the crops and the harvest of the garden for the days when the ground does not produce and the snow starts to pile up.  I know that my horses, cows and animals are counting on me, even though they have no idea of the labor that is necessary for them to have food in the winter.  Are you alert? Are you ready? Have you made preparation for the eternal things as well as you are starting to get ready for the changing of the seasons? My prayer for you and me is that we will be good stewards of both the temporal and the eternal.  Live well, enjoy life, be ready for eternity.

In Awe of Him

Pastor Sonny