Well, congratulations to the successful hunters, and to those of us who are still looking for our deer/bear, good luck and stay safe!
You know, as I sat in the rain and cold on Monday morning (I did find a very nice and comfortable rock ledge to “hide” under for a while), I pondered the passion in which I, and other hunters, display in their quest of their game. And before some of you click your tongues at hunters, some of you have just as great a passion for shopping (3AM Black Friday mornings, etc), shoes, cooking, family, fishing, sports, music, etc. We are all different in that respect, our passions point us in different directions. Those differences make us special and who we are. However, we were all created with a passion for Jesus!
I was recounting my early hunting experiences the other day. At the age of 12, I was not into hunting at all. I only did it because it was what my family did. We hunted. So, I hunted, well, sort of. I would get out of hunting to back cookies with Grandmother, or sit in front of the fire in our basement and watch cartoons. That all changed when I was 13 and harvested my first buck. It was one of the larger bucks I have EVER tagged, and that year marked the start of my love affair with the sport.
Where am I going? We are all created with a passion for Jesus, but we don’t exercise it. If I had not been in the woods, my love for hunting would never have materialized and I wouldn’t be finding every excuse imaginable to get in the woods at every chance. Hmmm. Are we putting ourselves in position to exercise our passion for God? Are we “pushing” ourselves to read a little more, pray a little more, worship a little more, give a little more? Are we growing our passion for Christ, or are we letting it shrivel and dry up?
As we enter the Advent season, let us prepare, let us anticipate, let us grow our passion for Christ! For unto us is born … not just Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, but unto US is born a Savior! And that news is more exciting than any deer, any animal, any pair of shoes, any football win … A SAVIOR is not just born, but is LIVING in us and with us! God with us! Emmanuel!
By the way, a huge thank-you ladies for an amazing job at Bake Day last Monday! Approximately 70 dozen Christmas items were prepared that will be used throughout the Christmas season! They look FABULOUS … and some of us enjoyed the “rejects” that weren’t “good enough” for others! As awesome as the rejects were … wow! And the Christmas Trees, Snowmen, and Santas are sooo very cute! Great job one and all. I know it was a lot of work, but you efforts will bless many!
By: Pastor Art Speck
You know, as I sat in the rain and cold on Monday morning (I did find a very nice and comfortable rock ledge to “hide” under for a while), I pondered the passion in which I, and other hunters, display in their quest of their game. And before some of you click your tongues at hunters, some of you have just as great a passion for shopping (3AM Black Friday mornings, etc), shoes, cooking, family, fishing, sports, music, etc. We are all different in that respect, our passions point us in different directions. Those differences make us special and who we are. However, we were all created with a passion for Jesus!
I was recounting my early hunting experiences the other day. At the age of 12, I was not into hunting at all. I only did it because it was what my family did. We hunted. So, I hunted, well, sort of. I would get out of hunting to back cookies with Grandmother, or sit in front of the fire in our basement and watch cartoons. That all changed when I was 13 and harvested my first buck. It was one of the larger bucks I have EVER tagged, and that year marked the start of my love affair with the sport.
Where am I going? We are all created with a passion for Jesus, but we don’t exercise it. If I had not been in the woods, my love for hunting would never have materialized and I wouldn’t be finding every excuse imaginable to get in the woods at every chance. Hmmm. Are we putting ourselves in position to exercise our passion for God? Are we “pushing” ourselves to read a little more, pray a little more, worship a little more, give a little more? Are we growing our passion for Christ, or are we letting it shrivel and dry up?
As we enter the Advent season, let us prepare, let us anticipate, let us grow our passion for Christ! For unto us is born … not just Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, but unto US is born a Savior! And that news is more exciting than any deer, any animal, any pair of shoes, any football win … A SAVIOR is not just born, but is LIVING in us and with us! God with us! Emmanuel!
By the way, a huge thank-you ladies for an amazing job at Bake Day last Monday! Approximately 70 dozen Christmas items were prepared that will be used throughout the Christmas season! They look FABULOUS … and some of us enjoyed the “rejects” that weren’t “good enough” for others! As awesome as the rejects were … wow! And the Christmas Trees, Snowmen, and Santas are sooo very cute! Great job one and all. I know it was a lot of work, but you efforts will bless many!
By: Pastor Art Speck
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