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Thursday, January 25, 2018

Every Season

One of the unique things about New England is experiencing the change of seasons. Sometimes we have to guess what season we are in as we can reach 50 degrees in mid-January or fall to temperatures below zero which are more reminiscent of the weather in Alaska! Let's face it, we all have expectations about what we believe the weather needs to look like in any given season. But here in New England the seasons are unpredictable. So it is in our spiritual life. The writer of Ecclesiastes states, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

God moves us through spiritual seasons
Our spiritual seasons are unpredictable. God knows in His perfect timing when our seasons are to change.The time in between our spiritual seasons could be months or years. Yet when God brings us into a new season, it is often beyond our expectations. The Lord is bringing me into a new spiritual season. Last year I began to engage in a practice which many followers of Christ find helpful in their spiritual walk. I chose a word for the year and saw how God brought fruit from that word as He moved me through the spiritual seasons of my life. Last years word was "chosen." This years word is "brave." I don't know how bravery will play out this year but I have already decided to take some brave steps of faith. At the end of this month I will be joining a group of sisters in Christ who are serving as pastors and leaders in their respective churches. We will be meeting once every three weeks throughout the year to encourage, support, share, and pray for each other. Additionally, I have added my name to a speaker's directory of a different women's ministry. This opportunity may open up the possibility for me to speak at different churches on subjects in my area of ministry in the Christian counseling field.

Watch the seasons unfold
 I don't know what challenges and changes will take place as a result of the opportunities that God has opened up for me in these "activities under the heavens." However, I am grateful and excited to see what will happen. I encourage you to consider asking God to direct you to a word that will capture what He wants to do in the spiritual seasons of your life. Then like the ever changing, unpredictable nature of our New England seasons watch God unfold His seasons in your life. 
Pastor Sheree

Enter this link in your search engine to hear a song from singer/songwriter Nichole Nordeman entitled "Every Season"
https://youtu.be/rFmcpg3lz8E