It's been a week that has felt
like life in Seattle: rainy and gray. I'm not complaining for all sorts of
reasons. The rain is a blessing. Every day is a gift, and I know the forecast
says it is going to be a beautiful weekend, but that Fall sun is not shining
today, not as I write this.
Yesterday, as I walked out of the
Y, every adult face I saw seemed to be glum. Everyone seemed to be half bent
over with the weight of the gloom and the rain and the low clouds. Then, there
was this little girl walking with her mother. The 3 or 4-year-old girl, dressed
up in colorful jacket and boots, was tugging at her Mom's hand and smiling from
ear to ear. The little girl was chirping like a bird!
I liked that.
People of faith hurt. People of
faith have bad days. I know that, but there is also something about people of
faith, who have had a life-changing encounter with God in Jesus, that gives
them a buoyant hope, a courage that perseveres, a confidence in how the story
of the world will end.
In his letter to the Jesus
followers at Thessalonica, Paul says (2nd Thessalonians 3) that "the Lord
is faithful and will give you strength and protect you from the evil one."
He prays that the people of God -whatever the season- will have hearts that
"express God's love and Christ's endurance." Paul encourages us not
to get discouraged in doing what is right, and near the end of his letter he
offers this blessing: "May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always
in every way."
May God so fill your heart that
even on the gray and rainy days of your journey, you may chirp with hope and
faith!
Please note the listing of events
for the upcoming FCJ Weekend Consultation.
You'll find in this email
information about how you can help respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa
(bring your checks this weekend or go online to donate - see the details
below).
Finally, you'll find out about
our next series of messages and some very specific life steps we are inviting
you to take in simplifying your life, giving to others, and growing your faith.
Be generous with the check you
will bring this weekend for UMCOR-Disaster Response. Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=_or7k0WqSHk
to see about the United Methodist Committee on Relief's response to the Ebola
outbreak, and go to
http://www.umcor.org/umcor/donate/ebolaresponse to donate today if you
can't wait for Sunday.
Let's be a part of the solution!
God is good!
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark Fenstermacher
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