Good morning everyone and happy Saturday. We have made it to the Memorial Day weekend which is seen by many as the official start of the summer season. With many of the restrictions being lifted, people have a pent up desire to get out, have some fun, and begin to feel like things are returning to normal. Speaking of that, we are prayerfully considering when to begin having services in person at the church. It is our intention to open slowly and cautiously. The staff, church council and deacons continue to evaluate the latest information that we can find and are putting together our strategy for our regathering. Brother Charles had heard that term somewhere and it seems appropriate. Currently, we are considering the end of June for our first regathering service. As soon as it becomes official, we will begin announcing it. We are also fully aware that some, maybe a lot of people, will not return for the first service or services. That is quite ok and to be expected. We want each family to return when they feel most comfortable and believe it is prudent for them. That is why we will continue to offer the Sunday school lesson and the service on Facebook even after we open. As details become available, we will keep you updated. For now, enjoy your weekend and stay safe.
The other morning, I walked into the restroom at church and immediately noticed something on the floor. Of course, it is not unusual to see things on the floor of a men’s restroom. Especially if it is a public restroom like at a gas station, a store, a truck stop, or a Fotomat. However, we keep our restrooms fairly clean at the church. Besides, we haven’t had public services for two months. Therefore, there has only been a few of us that have been in the building. Anyway, as soon as I entered the restroom, I saw it laying there on the floor. Curious yet? It wasn’t anything gross. It was simply a match. One of those paper matches from a matchbook. However, it made me think immediately, “How did that get in here?” Nearly all of our meetings have been on Zoom so it couldn’t have been from someone taking a break at one of those. Jacques had recently cleaned the floors so it couldn’t have been there very long. And yet, there it was, right in the middle of the floor. But how? How did a paper match make its way into the restroom of our church? It was so out of place. Besides, who uses match books anymore? I can’t remember the last time I even saw one of those. Somehow, someway, a little paper match was left in a rather conspicuous spot. Having other business to attend to, I picked up the match and threw it in the trash. My best guess it that since the homeless guys all smoke on the sidewalk in front of the church that someone likely tracked it in on the bottom of their shoe. But who knows? Perhaps it could be a case that only Encyclopedia Brown could solve.
As I thought about this, I wondered if there are things in our own lives that are as out of place as that paper match. Have we allowed things to come into our lives that should not be there? Are they noticeable to others? Do they stand out like that match against the white porcelain tile? Or, do we track them along with us, leaving evidence long the way? Wouldn’t it be great if the things in our lives that shouldn’t be there were as easy to take care of as that match? Once identified, we could simply toss them away. However, things that creep in seem to slowly take root and can sometimes be difficult to eradicate. That is why we have to be diligent in our walk with Christ. We are taught to, “take every thought captive” and about the “sin that so easily entangles us.” We learn about the fruit of the spirit that is supposed to be evident in our lives. It would seem that the things contrary to those characteristics would be easy for us to spot. However, as you probably are aware, we somehow manage to overlook them. If you are fortunate, you have someone is your life that will be glad to point them out to you. This is sometimes your spouse serving in an unofficial capacity as the spokesperson for the Holy Spirt. Other times it is a trusted friend. Whatever the case may be, let us all seek to be cautious of the things that are around us that are simply out of place in the lives of a follower of Christ. As we examine our own lives, may they be as easy to see as that match was. And, may we seek to remove it just as quickly.
12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
(Psalm 19:12-14)
You are loved. I am looking forward to being together in person soon. Until then, be safe.
Pastor Larry
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