Time is Short

During this holiday season, we've received various Christmas/New Years letters from friends in different parts of the U.S. I've noticed a reoccurring theme. Many have stated how they believe time is short and that the world is in upheaval, as well as sharing their opinion that the signs of the times are increasing. 

I have felt this way for 2-3 years now, but my belief keeps intensifying as more time passes. However, it is one of those topics where you tend to ask yourself the question, is it just me or are others feeling this way as well. Well, with the letters we've received there has been a definite confirmation that, yes, people indeed are feeling this same way. 

Something I've appreciated in particular with a few of the letters is that those writing them have appealed to their readers to seriously consider where their spiritual life is at. One of them even offered Bible Studies within their letter if there might be somebody who feels they need to know Jesus better. 

So, my brother, my sister, where is your spiritual life at? Is Jesus your all in all? Is He your best friend? Are you living your life for Him? With the new year upon us, now is a great time to recommit yourself to our Savior and to rethink the direction our lives are going. "For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2)

Pastor Jason  

Family Traditions

 

Today our family took some time to spend time together doing something that we do every year before Christmas.  We went to a Christmas store to pick out our ornaments for the year.  We've done this from the beginning with our kids and it has created a wealth of memories.  Then, every year when we set up our Christmas Tree we get to go through all of those memories together.

 

The kids have always just been able to pick whatever they want within reason.  Grace and I on the other hand, try to always get something that represents major events or experiences that have taken place that year.  This year one of the ornaments Grace and I chose was a Colorado ornament which represents our first Christmas as a family in Colorado.

 

As we think about the past 10-11 months that we have been here we are already overwhelmed with all of the special memories and friends that have been made.  You folks are a very large part of that.  We want to say a very heart felt thank you to all of you for welcoming us into your lives.  You all have been so kind, loving, and accepting of us as individuals as well as a family.  THANK YOU!

 

We are so looking forward to making many more good memories and building upon the friendships that have already been started.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

  

Be Still

A couple weeks ago our family made a trek up to the mountains to select a Christmas tree. We've done this every year for as long as we can remember but never in Colorado. It was quite a different experience! We bought our permit, could only go on select dates and only to a very select area of the woods. Not only that but we were up there with hundreds of other people. We're used to going into the woods when we want, where we want, and never see another soul. If you get stuck you better have brought your shovel, if you get lost you better know which way the sun sets, if you get hurt well it'll be awhile before help comes. Needless to say I was a bit skeptical about how our experience would be. 

We chose an area to hike into the woods and saw several people coming out of the area and many others going in. After about a mile of hiking we got past everybody else and found ourselves alone. I sat down on a stump to take a break because hiking through knee deep snow can be tiring. As I sat quietly I could hear the wind blowing through the tree tops, I could see the mountain chickadees in the trees and could hear them singing to one another, the snow looked like jewels where the sun was hitting each crystal. An enormous feeling of peace filled my soul and I began to cry. 

As I sat there crying and basking in the feeling that God was so close this verse came to my mind--"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10. How many days do I wake up and as soon as my feet hit the floor it's go, go, go? Too many. God reminded me loudly in that moment that it's so much easier to hear His voice when we stop and take a moment to listen. In the book of Kings we find a story of when God revealed himself to Elijah. It says, "Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." 

He is speaking to each one of us, are we listening? I pray that in this busy month of shopping, parties, family, baking, etc we all take time every day to stop and be still so we can hear that still small voice. 

Grace Logan

Consider Yourself Warned

Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. 

Israel had an ongoing bad habit of disregarding the warnings that God was continuously sending through the prophets. It's no different in the book of Amos. It was a time of wealth, luxury, and a booming economy in Israel. They're pictured in Amos chapter 3:12 (NLT) as lazily lounging in their comfortable beds and couches. Just a few verses later in verse 15 God reveals that He will destroy their winter and summer houses. They truly were in a state like we find in Rev. 3:18, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing". How much does this remind us of our day and age? 

God called a prophet to warn, rebuke, and encourage His last day people as well. Are we taking advantage of God's special counsel that was given? Or are we making the same mistakes as God's people of old? Are we ignoring the messenger? The things warned about in Scripture as well as through the last day prophet are upon us. Let us take heed.

Pastor Jason