One Special Moment

The hymn "Silent Night" is a popular favorite among the traditional Christmas songs. It conveys a sense of a peaceful and calm environment during the time of Jesus' birth. However, few people realize that when Mary and Joseph arrived, Bethlehem was a hub of activity. Many others had arrived before them to fulfill the decree issued that required taxes to be paid in Caesar's census. (Luke 2:1-3) The population of Bethlehem swelled with visitors. Beggars cried out in the streets seeking alms. The moneychangers were furiously converting money to the coins of the day. (i.e. shekels, denarius) The marketplace was bustling with activity as bakers sold fresh baked bread and sellers of brass peddled their wares. Regardless of the many goods up for sale, visitors needed to be mindful to save enough money to pay the tax collectors. Yet, despite all the chaos in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were able to focus in on one special moment, the birth of Jesus. Even after the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in Bethlehem and no doubt shared with them the angelic announcement they had experienced, we are told "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) 

One Special Gift

The activity in Bethlehem is not unlike our experiences during the Christmas season. There are very few other times during the year when marketplace activity is at a fever pitch. While some are trying to seek the peace and joy associated with Christmas, that which they seek is often overshadowed with the frenetic hustle and bustle of shoppers exchanging money both paper and plastic to get that "perfect gift." Shoppers also need to be mindful of their overspending lest they fall short of paying that credit card bill when it comes due. As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, the challenge is even greater to find one special moment to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and like Mary, ponder all these things in our hearts.  Let us take to heart Jesus words from the gospel of Matthew, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) May we all take the time this Christmas to stop and focus our hearts and minds on the only gift that really makes a difference in our lives not just on one day but throughout the whole year. Moreover, let us remember it is a gift that comes from the hands of Almighty God and it is one that will never wear out, perish, or fade because it is eternal. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Pastor Sheree

Forever Grateful

"I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:1-3 NIV)

We have come yet again to another Thanksgiving season. At this time of year there is a special emphasis on being grateful or giving thanks. How many of us have grown up with the tradition of going around the family table and declaring the reason we are thankful? While it is important to acknowledge our gratitude for many things, let us not forget that giving thanks is not reserved for one special time of the year. As the psalmist declares in Psalm 34, we are to extol the Lord at all times, for it is the Lord who is the giver of all good and gracious gifts (James 1:17) My prayer this Thanksgiving is that we will awaken everyday with gratitude in our hearts and will forever praise the One who has given us the greatest reason to be thankful--Jesus.

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all!
Pastor Sheree

Celebrate The Gray!

As I grow older, it seems that my body reminds me that I am aging with aches and pains not previously experienced in my younger years. Sometimes, these physical reminders can send me to a place in my thinking where I am feeling my life is coming to an end. Moreover, I feel my ability to serve the Lord is waning because of my age. In Isaiah 46, God speaks to the Israelites regarding false gods and their inability to supply what Yahweh has provided for them. I was drawn to verses 3-4, "Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV) 

GOD IS OUR SUSTAINER

These verses resonated with me as I recognize the Lord calling me to listen to Him as He has been with me from the very beginning, even before I came into this world. ("I have upheld you since your birth and have carried you since you were born") Once I was conceived, God was immediately there and intimately involved. God has also promised that He will remain with me throughout my life. ("Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you.") Since the Lord has carried me into this world, the Great I Am will keep me here as long as He desires and give me what I need to keep going. Furthermore, regardless of my physical limitations, God is ultimately my strength. ("I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.") Since I am God's creation, He will not abandon me but will deliver me. I don't have to worry about how my physical body is aging. I can and will walk through the days of my life depending solely upon God to walk with me, in life and in death. The Psalmist declares, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley; I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 NIV) 

A CROWN OF SPLENDOR

Despite my angst, the Lord celebrates my aging, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31 NIV) My prayer as I move through the seasons of my life is echoed by the Psalmist, "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, Your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18 NIV) italics mine.
To God be the glory,
Pastor Sheree

Qualified in God's Eyes

At times when I am invited to preach in a colleague's church, I can experience anxiety. My mind becomes preoccupied with myself and what I perceive as my limitations. I engage in a conversation with myself wherein I am convinced I have nothing to offer, there are better preachers than me, and the people are going to dislike the sermon. When I buy into this type of thinking I am not only diminishing the gifts that God has given to me but in some ways disqualifying God Himself! God has uniquely gifted and called His people to serve in various capacities within the body of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 12. Paul does not mention in 1 Corinthians 12 certain qualifications to receive God's gifts such as what the culture often points to like intelligence, good looks, a certain economic status, or a particular ethnicity. The gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and received by those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ. Thus, this is the only qualification necessary for God to use us in serving Him.

Testimonies Of The Unqualified

The Bible is filled with countless narratives of God using individuals whom others may have labeled as unqualified to serve God. Some of those who served the Lord came from backgrounds that were at times questionable and in some cases frightening. In the Old Testament, Abraham, "the father of many nations" with whom God established a covenant (Genesis 15) lied not once but twice about his relationship with his wife Sarah, telling the Egyptians (Genesis 12:10-20) and King Abimelech  (Genesis 20:1-17) that she was his sister. David was considered an unlikely choice to be anointed king of Israel according to his family but as the Lord told Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) In the New Testament, Mary most likely would not have been chosen to receive the "most popular girl in the class" award. She was not rich or famous but in God's eyes she didn't have to be head and shoulders above all others. God made his choice to anoint her to bear the Messiah. (Luke 1:26-38) Finally, Saul of Tarsus was one of the most feared men in all of Jerusalem for his zeal in persecuting the early church. (Act 8:1-3; 9:1-2) Saul of all people certainly wouldn't qualify to be a servant of Christ. Yet after his conversion (Acts 9:3-17), Saul, who later became referred to as Paul, (Acts 13:13) used the same zeal to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

It's very easy to compare ourselves to some standard that the world or others set as to who is deemed "qualified" to carry out whatever the requirements of a particular task may entail. Sadly, the "comparison game" can and has crept into the church. Whenever a believer wishes they were as "godly" or gifted as another brother or sister they are forgetting about the One who created them and gifted them uniquely to serve Him. Whenever a small body of believers laments the fact that their numbers don't match up to the "mega" church down the street, they are forgetting that Christ is the Head of the church and He dwells in the midst of every congregation no matter what its size. When we come to understand that there is only One in whose eyes we are qualified, we can move forward in confidence knowing that as Paul states in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." In the words of the familiar hymn written in 1922 by Helen H. Lemmel, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."

Shalom,
Pastor Sheree

Pottery Lesson

I have been struggling over the past 8 months with osteoarthritis in my hands. I developed what is called a trigger thumb on my left hand. This condition can occur in any of the fingers. It is the result of an inflammation of the tendon which is responsible for allowing the ligaments to slide smoothly back and forth when our fingers are flexed. When the the tendon becomes irritated the ligaments catch and "trigger" causing a popping sound and subsequent pain. There are a number of different interventions to treat the problem. After consulting with a rheumatologist and receiving some initial treatments including a cortisone injection to reduce the swollen tendon, I was subsequently referred to an Occupational Therapist. During my time with the O.T. my thumb was initially placed in a splint to allow the tendon to rest and heal. However, my thumb became stiff as a result of inactivity and I was unable to bend it. I was then given a number of different exercises to help strengthen the thumb and improve flexibility. One of the exercises involved using therapeutic putty. The consistency of the putty is strong enough to be able to stretch and squeeze but not without challenging my thumb to work hard. The use of the putty reminded me of the Scriptures that speak of God as the Potter and we human beings as the clay. Isaiah 64:8 declares, "Yet You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."(NIV) 

WE ARE GOD'S HANDIWORK

Have you ever seen a potter working clay? The process involves working and reworking the clay until the initial formless mass is turned into a beautiful masterpiece. However, to create a work of art is a process that requires a lot of physical labor. Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV) That word "handiwork" literally means "work of art." God is the Master Potter and we are the clay. God wants to transform us into a masterpiece but unlike the physical working of clay, God's process is one of working on us from the inside out. He is molding our spirits to ultimately become a work of art that reflects Jesus Christ. In other words, people need to be able to look at us and identify the "artist" as God. If physical clay could speak it would probably protest the pulling and pushing and shaping it is experiencing. It may want to be content to remain as a lifeless, formless, lump of clay. However, the potter knows it can become so much more once it is completed and people come to know the potter through their finished work. Likewise, when God is shaping us, we can complain as the process of being transformed closer to the image of God's Son is not always easy and at times painful. Isaiah 29:16 states, "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, "You did not make me?" Can the pot say to the potter, "You know nothing?" (NIV) 

WE ARE GOD'S MASTERPIECE

It's easy in the midst of struggles to believe we can solve the problem without God's help and guidance. However, we did not create ourselves and God knows us better than we know ourselves or are known by others because He created us. I am praying that my thumb will regain its flexibility and strength. Physical healing will only come through discipline and hard work. Our spiritual challenge is to trust God, the Master Potter, in the midst of the "shaping and molding" process. To trust that even though we don't know what the finished product will look like, God does, and we will be a masterpiece!
To God be the glory!
Pastor Sheree

"Spiritual" Eyes

Human beings are given five senses to experience their environment. The five senses are sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. To lose any one of these five senses can result in decreased pleasure and a diminished quality of life. It is through our senses that we connect to the natural world. A few weeks ago, I was reading in the Old Testament about an individual who through his sense of sight received a glimpse into another dimension--the spiritual world. In 2 Kings 6:8-17, we read about an incident in which the king of Aram was at war with Israel. Elisha, the prophet was given wisdom and discernment through the Holy Spirit to anticipate the king of Aram's plan to defeat Israel. Subsequently, Elisha was able to warn the king of Israel about the plan. The king of Aram became enraged and sent an army to find Elisha, capture him, and bring him to the king. The next morning Elisha's servant upon awakening looked out and saw the city surrounded by the king of Aram's army. His reaction was one of panic as he could not see any way of escape and he informed Elisha of the dilemma. Elisha responded, "Don't be afraid,..."Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:16 NIV) Elisha then prayed to the Lord to open the servant's eyes that he may see a different reality. "Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:17b NIV) 

Our God Is With Us

We are often like Elisha's servant. When we are experiencing challenges and feeling overwhelmed, we can often adopt an attitude of hopelessness and helplessness. We cannot see beyond the circumstances that lay in front of us. It's in those moments that we need to remember that the armies of heaven are surrounding us. God may not open our eyes to see chariots of fire like Elisha's servant. Nonetheless, when we seek God with all our heart we can at times experience His presence in unique ways. Our God is with us just as He was with the Israelites when they came to the Red Sea with the Egyptians in pursuit. (Exodus 14:14) Moses also reminded the Israelites how God went before them and fought their enemies as they moved through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 1:30-31) David in Psalm 35:1 exhorts the Lord, "Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me." (NIV) 

Our God Fights For Us

The same God who fought for His people, Israel, fights for us. In fact, Paul in Ephesians encourages us to "be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10 NIV) Paul goes on point to the foundation of our strength in the Lord by putting on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17) So no matter what challenges you may face, know that you are surrounded by the armies of the Living God. He is our Defender and Protector. Paul declares,"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 NIV) Don't limit your vision to what you see in the "natural" but rather ask the Lord to open the "spiritual "eyes of your heart that you may see Him more clearly at work in your life.
Praise the Lord!
Pastor Sheree

Blooming In The Desert

I recently discovered that there are at least 10 different wildflowers that bloom in the desert. It seems impossible that such beauty can spring forth from a ground that seemingly provides little nourishment. In thinking about flourishing in dry ground, I was reminded of my current season of life. I have yet to find a church home where I can be planted, take root, and grow. However, the Lord has shown me that there is growth happening in spite of my circumstances. Just as the month of June represents the official start of summer where all of creation fully displays its beauty, so the month of June has been a time of blooming for me. Some of my colleagues have extended to me the invitation to fill the pulpit while they are away on vacation. There is a hint of blooming in filling these various pulpits not only for me but for God's people. Wherever God has sent me to preach, life springs up. The dryness in people's hearts is watered and hope in God is renewed. Likewise, the dry places in my heart are watered with every opportunity God provides for me to preach. 

God In The Desert Places

The Old and New Testament speak of God allowing people to bloom while sustaining them in the desert. The book of Exodus is the story of God caring for His people in the wilderness on their journey towards the Promised Land. In Exodus 16, He supplied the people with bread and meat in the form of manna and quail, despite their grumbling and desire to return to the foods in Egypt. In the Gospel of Mark chapter 1, we are told, "And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1:4) John the Baptist was sustained and flourished in the desert by eating locusts and wild honey. (Mark 1:6) We of course cannot forget how God sustained Jesus during His forty days and forty nights in the desert (Matthew 4) In spite of Jesus' extreme hunger and fatigue, He bloomed with "rivers of living water", the word of God, to counter Satan's temptations. 

Rivers Of Living Water

The experience I have in preaching God's word is like those rivers of living water as Jesus declared in John 7:38-39, "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." However, since His resurrection, the Holy Spirit has been given to all Christ's followers. Indeed it is His Spirit that has poured the living water into me and allowed that same water to flow out upon His people helping them to bloom and grow. I thank the Lord for His Spirit encouraging me to bloom in this desert season.
By His Grace,
Pastor Sheree

Heaven's Door

I exercise five days a week. While I cannot claim that I get enjoyment from the routine, I realize it is necessary to maintain overall good health. My exercise regimen starts in my basement with my cardio vascular workout, rotating through my stationary bike, elliptical, and treadmill. I complete my morning routine in our upstairs guest bedroom where I engage in weight bearing, balance, and stretching exercises. One morning upon completing my cardio workout I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at the basement door. On the inside of the door is a shoe rack on which is hanging various styles and colors of shoes. At that point a thought came to me. I know what lies on the other side of my basement door, but what will I see on the other side of heaven's door? I thought about a few Old and New Testament images related to stairs and doorways. In Genesis 28, Jacob has a dream at Bethel. "Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it." (Genesis 28:10-12 NIV) In John 10:7-9, Jesus states, "...Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture." NIV (in some versions the word "door" is used instead of "gate.") 

A Stairway To Heaven

I imagined those basement steps as a stairway leading to heaven, a stairway I would one day climb. Those shoes hanging on that door rack represented all those who had gone to heaven before me. Prior to opening that door, they leave their shoes behind as the ground that their feet will be touching after walking through will be holy ground. When God called Moses from the burning bush He declared, "Do not come any closer, God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." (Genesis 3:5 NIV) The image in my mind is both a comfort and a challenge. What a comfort it will be when I will finally see the Savior's face! No longer a mystery but finally coming to understand all that was veiled while on earth. "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV) On the other hand, there is the challenge of waiting and persevering until I am called to walk through that door. "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12 NIV) What is on the other side of the door that you will walk through at the end of your life? I pray it will be holy ground.
Shalom,
Pastor Sheree

An Easter Proclamation!

All of heaven and earth declare,

Jesus is no longer there!

The grave and death He has withstood,  

Rising like He said He would!

All creation worship Him, 

The King who triumphed over sin.

Easter, what a glorious way,

To celebrate His resurrection day!

And one day soon, we will arise,

Beholding our Savior with our own eyes!

All the world will be at peace,

Pain and suffering will finally cease.

Shout aloud, the battles won,

All hail the Risen, Conquering Son!

(Rev. Sheree A. Harrington 4/16/19)



May the power of His resurrection flood your heart this Easter season!

Pastor Sheree

In Pursuit of a Mystery

Many people enjoy reading a great mystery novel. Part of the attraction captured in the story is the tension throughout that ultimately leads to the resolution of the mystery. What would happen if at the end of the story, the last chapter was removed from the book and the solution was never revealed? There's no doubt, the reader would experience feelings of confusion, frustration, and even anger. There's something within our human nature that struggles with unresolved situations. In other words we feel uncomfortable with the unknown. We need to know how and why something happens so we can capture, control, or at times manipulate our circumstances. We operate from a tangible place wherein something is  "real" only when we can experience it with our senses and understand it. This fact is not necessarily true of all situations. Most people won't be motivated to find out what gravity tangibly looks like, we just accept scientifically that it exists. The closest evidence we have that tells us gravity is real is seen in outer space as we watch astronauts float around on the international space station. God is often a challenge to us as human beings. For many, God is not "real" because they cannot tangibly perceive Him. Followers of Christ are called to operate by faith which is defined in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

THE MYSTERY OF GOD

There is a mystery about God which does not allow us to neatly package Him up and put Him in a box of our own creation. Yet, something within our spirits keeps human beings in pursuit of God, in pursuit of a Mystery. We see examples in both the Old and New Testaments. Moses was drawn to investigate a phenomena that didn't make sense, a bush that burned but was not consumed. (Exodus 3:1-3) After, the Lord called Moses, he continued to have a desire to tangibly "see" God. In Exodus 33, Moses asked God to show him His glory. However, the Lord declined to fully reveal Himself to Moses. God declared, "... you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live." (Exodus 33:20) However, God allowed Moses a glimpse of Himself while Moses remained safely shielded in the cleft of a rock. Moses was able to see God's back but not His face or put another way, he was unable to see the full revelation of God. (Exodus 33:21-23) Moses was left in pursuit of a Mystery. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the "face" and reflection of God. However, the disciples were never fully able to comprehend the mystery represented in Christ. In one of His many miracles, Jesus calms a storm which the disciples perceived was a threat to their lives. After Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves, we are told the disciples were terrified and asked each other, "...Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him." (Mark 4:41) The disciples came to understand more fully who Jesus was after His resurrection and especially after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to empower them to carry the gospel to the world. (Acts 1-2) However, like Moses, the disciples were still left to some degree pursuing a Mystery. 

LIVING BY FAITH, NOT SIGHT

Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 13, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) Furthermore, John states, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2) God has created in humanity a longing and desire to pursue a Mystery whether or not we are followers of Christ. On the one hand our challenge is this, will we become frustrated and deny or give up on what we cannot capture and/or understand? On the other hand, will we pursue the Mystery of God and rest by faith in the revelation of who Jesus is, even though we will not fully know Him until we enter into His presence in eternity? For those who choose to follow Jesus Christ and "...live by faith, not sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7) let us embrace Paul's words to Timothy as we pursue a Mystery, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will reward me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." (who have pursued this Mystery. italics mine) (2 Timothy 4:7-8) 
Pursuing Him,
Pastor Sheree

On The Move!

One of the challenges in the Christian life is the art of waiting. It is especially frustrating when we want to move ahead with our plans and hope that God will catch up. I have been waiting for God's direction regarding my next season of ministry and I have to confess it hasn't been easy. I have seen what appear to be potential opportunities that I would like to pursue, however deep down I know I need to wait for God to move. Recently, God reinforced my need to wait in a passage from the book of Numbers. In Numbers 9:15-23 Israel is making their way to the Promised Land. God's presence is manifested in the pillar of cloud that covered the Tabernacle during the day and the pillar of fire at night. In Numbers 9:17-18 we read, "Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at His command they encamped."NIV (italics mine) The Israelites remained in whatever place they were led until the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle. They didn't try to continue the journey on their own or according to their time table. The Israelites waited for the Lord to move without knowing where their next stop would be or for how long. We read, "Sometimes the cloud was over the Tabernacle only a few days...Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening to morning...Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month, or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out." (Numbers 9:21-22 NIV) 

We Follow When God Moves

What caught my attention was no matter how long or short the period of sojourn was, when God moved, the Israelites followed. What we sometimes fail to appreciate is the huge challenge that movement presented for the Israelites. There were thousands of people having to pack up their belongings and get ready to go. Additionally, the Tabernacle had to be taken down and set back up in the next place God led the people. I can only imagine that at times the Israelites may have become frustrated when their sojourn in a new place was only for two days and they had to pack up and move after having settled down. It has similarly been frustrating for me and somewhat disheartening that I find myself on the move just when I think I have settled for a long period of time into a new church community. However, like the Israelites I need to wait for God to move and sometimes the wait is short, sometimes long, and sometimes unexpected. The Israelites knew they would not ultimately be settled until they reached the Promised Land. Right now I don't have a sense of feeling settled but I must wait until God's cloud is "lifted" and then I need to move with Him. 

Jesus Calls Us To Move

Jesus mirrors the same principle in the New Testament. He called His disciples then and now to "follow Me." Jesus' call is both literal and spiritual. Literally, we are to follow Jesus to whatever place He calls us to minister in his name whether inside or outside of the church community. Spiritually, Jesus calls us to follow His commands and emulate His way of life that we may deepen our relationship with Him and serve others. When a teacher of the law declared that he would follow Jesus wherever he went, Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Matthew 8:18-20 NIV) Right now, I have no place to "lay my head" but I need to follow the Lord's pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. I need to stay wherever God has called me to serve for whatever length of time God determines and move when He determines, after that time is finished. It is easy to focus on the past and what was, versus looking forward to what God has for us in the future. Isaiah and Paul sum it up best, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV) "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:13b-14 NIV) May we trust God to lead and guide us in His perfect timing.
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Sheree

Shelter In The Storm

"For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock." (Psalm 27:5)

On January 21, 2019 we will once again recognize and celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. Dr. King fought for the rights of black Americans who were experiencing discrimination and segregation. However, prior to Dr. King's achievements there were many others who fought for the rights and freedoms of black Americans. Among them were many notable women. Sojourner Truth who was born a slave in Hurley, New York and worked as a servant, became a powerful voice against slavery. She felt God's call to a greater mission as an abolitionist. As a result she began a ministry as an itinerant preacher delivering God's judgment against the evils of slavery and in time she joined this theme with a commitment to women's rights. Sojourner Truth, like Dr. King faced great opposition and at times violent mobs. Yet she never doubted slavery would end and was present in the capital in 1865 when Congress ratified the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. Her struggle for freedom and equality continued until the day she died on November 26, 1883 at the age of 86 years. 

"Black Moses"

Similarly, Harriet Tubman who was often referred to as the black "Moses" of her time was the "conductor" hero of the Underground Railroad. She, like Sojourner Truth was also born a slave. In December 1849, she escaped from slavery and began rescuing slaves in 1850. She helped lead dozens of runaway black slaves to freedom, including her own parents who were led to freedom in 1857. In April 1858 she was introduced to abolitionist John Brown, who unlike Dr. King, advocated the use of violence to destroy slavery in the United States. When the war ended, Harriet Tubman retired to her family home and like Sojourner Truth became active in the women's suffrage movement. In January 1863 shortly after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, she became the commander of the team in charge of espionage. In March 1913, Harriet Tubman died at the age of 93 of pneumonia in the Home for Aged Colored People that she helped found. The home was later renamed in her honor. 

"Sanctuary"

When we look at the church today, some still question why black people form separate congregations. Hated for their skin color, black people rarely found love, acceptance, and safety outside family except in one place: the Black church. At Sunday worship, Wednesday prayer meetings, Friday youth nights, summer day camps--the historically Black church was a true sanctuary from a time of terror and rejection. As a black woman pastor, I can understand the feelings of rejection. It is difficult to find true sanctuary when color, gender, and/or giftedness becomes a barrier to ministry. Yet like, my abolitionist sisters before me, I seek the only sanctuary and shelter that sees me as a daughter of the King. In Psalm 27, David declares three promises from the Lord in times of trouble. He will keep me safe in His dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent, and He will set me high upon a rock. (verse 5) It's a comfort to know that like the church which sheltered the black slaves, the Lord is a sheltering God. He is, was, and will always be a sanctuary to all needing refuge.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Pastor Sheree