Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
This week, I've asked Sandy Fritchley to write the devotional for this week's Weekly Musing.
Bill and Sandy are Elders here at Meadows, and have been through the thick and thin with Portia and I for many years. They are as highly trusted of leaders that I've ever known, and both bring such a wealth of wisdom and grace to all that they do. Enjoy!
This week, I've asked Sandy Fritchley to write the devotional for this week's Weekly Musing.
Bill and Sandy are Elders here at Meadows, and have been through the thick and thin with Portia and I for many years. They are as highly trusted of leaders that I've ever known, and both bring such a wealth of wisdom and grace to all that they do. Enjoy!
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BEING THANKFUL and MINISTERING TO THE LORD
During my teenage years, there was one thing I knew for certain -- that sometime in the future, I wanted to have children. I never thought about how many or if they would be boys or girls, it didn't matter. I just knew I wanted children -- I didn't need them -- but I desperately wanted them.
Children are amazing!
As babies, everything is about them. They are totally dependent on Mom and Dad for all their needs. Love, food, clothing, warmth, safety, and health. Even first time parents learn very quickly the difference between a hungry cry, a diaper needs changed cry, a sick cry, and a spoiled cry.
Then the "toddler" time takes over. The walking, exploring, getting into everything they shouldn't. Our vocabulary usually consists of a lot of "no's".
Next is the very formative "grade school" years. They are feeling their way at school, the authority of teachers, making new friends and being away from mom and dad for much of their day. They are thrust into competition of grades, sports, clothes, and confusing times. If Mom and Dad are "believing Christians", we spend a lot of our time on our knees.
They become teenagers and the influence of other kids, phones, social media, and drinking and drugs can become the loudest voiced in their lives. We hope and pray that the difference between right and wrong that we have tried to teach them, values, kindness, manners, and above all -- loving Jesus -- is going to kick in and we see the beginning of loving, caring, responsible adults.
But through all the years of trials, pain, anguish, sleepless nights and times of "I want", "Why can't I have it, and "Everyone else gets to", one thing makes it all worthwhile -- when they climb on your lap and say "I love you", not because there want something -- just because at that moment they love you!
Does this sound a little bit like our relationship with your Heavenly Father? Do you know that He doesn't need us but, Oh! How much he wants us! He wants us when we are new babies in Christ, content to have Him "just hold us", when we are toddlers trying to navigate our way in new relationship with Him, when we are like school children trying to learn about Him in a very confusing place, and He still wants us when we act like spoiled teenagers that already know everything!
He wants us to come to Him, to bring our needs, cares, fears, hopes, and shortcomings. I think many times, just like our children, we want, want, and want from the Lord, rarely stopping to consider what He wants. Yes He wants to bless us, to give us the desires of our hearts, and love (regardless if we are loving or not). But He also wants us to "THANK HIM"!
One scripture that always breaks my heart is Luke 17:13-19. Jesus healed the ten lepers and one came back to thank Him! What was in the hearts of the other nine? Do we have thankful hearts or just take everything He does for us for granted?
One scripture I love is Matthew 26:6-13. A woman came to Him with a very expensive perfume that she poured over His head as he rested. The disciples thought it was a waste, but Jesus thought it was an unselfish act of love. That is ministering to Jesus, not expecting anything, just saying through her actions "I love you."
Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him with our hurts, needs, wants, and series -- but He is also waiting for an "I love you" or a "Thank you for being my Heavenly Father" -- just because!
-- Sandy Fritchley
During my teenage years, there was one thing I knew for certain -- that sometime in the future, I wanted to have children. I never thought about how many or if they would be boys or girls, it didn't matter. I just knew I wanted children -- I didn't need them -- but I desperately wanted them.
Children are amazing!
As babies, everything is about them. They are totally dependent on Mom and Dad for all their needs. Love, food, clothing, warmth, safety, and health. Even first time parents learn very quickly the difference between a hungry cry, a diaper needs changed cry, a sick cry, and a spoiled cry.
Then the "toddler" time takes over. The walking, exploring, getting into everything they shouldn't. Our vocabulary usually consists of a lot of "no's".
Next is the very formative "grade school" years. They are feeling their way at school, the authority of teachers, making new friends and being away from mom and dad for much of their day. They are thrust into competition of grades, sports, clothes, and confusing times. If Mom and Dad are "believing Christians", we spend a lot of our time on our knees.
They become teenagers and the influence of other kids, phones, social media, and drinking and drugs can become the loudest voiced in their lives. We hope and pray that the difference between right and wrong that we have tried to teach them, values, kindness, manners, and above all -- loving Jesus -- is going to kick in and we see the beginning of loving, caring, responsible adults.
But through all the years of trials, pain, anguish, sleepless nights and times of "I want", "Why can't I have it, and "Everyone else gets to", one thing makes it all worthwhile -- when they climb on your lap and say "I love you", not because there want something -- just because at that moment they love you!
Does this sound a little bit like our relationship with your Heavenly Father? Do you know that He doesn't need us but, Oh! How much he wants us! He wants us when we are new babies in Christ, content to have Him "just hold us", when we are toddlers trying to navigate our way in new relationship with Him, when we are like school children trying to learn about Him in a very confusing place, and He still wants us when we act like spoiled teenagers that already know everything!
He wants us to come to Him, to bring our needs, cares, fears, hopes, and shortcomings. I think many times, just like our children, we want, want, and want from the Lord, rarely stopping to consider what He wants. Yes He wants to bless us, to give us the desires of our hearts, and love (regardless if we are loving or not). But He also wants us to "THANK HIM"!
One scripture that always breaks my heart is Luke 17:13-19. Jesus healed the ten lepers and one came back to thank Him! What was in the hearts of the other nine? Do we have thankful hearts or just take everything He does for us for granted?
One scripture I love is Matthew 26:6-13. A woman came to Him with a very expensive perfume that she poured over His head as he rested. The disciples thought it was a waste, but Jesus thought it was an unselfish act of love. That is ministering to Jesus, not expecting anything, just saying through her actions "I love you."
Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him with our hurts, needs, wants, and series -- but He is also waiting for an "I love you" or a "Thank you for being my Heavenly Father" -- just because!
-- Sandy Fritchley
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Every week at Meadows:
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
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Saturday, February 12: MEN'S BREAKFAST!
Men of all ages are invited to join Pastor Ron and the men's ministry for food, fellowship, and the Word! Starts at 9 AM.
Men of all ages are invited to join Pastor Ron and the men's ministry for food, fellowship, and the Word! Starts at 9 AM.
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This Sunday is a Meadows favorite -- it's YOUTH SUNDAY!
The world-famous MYG band will lead in worship, and the legendary Pastor Adrianne Offermann will be bringing the Word, giving her concluding thoughts to our January series, FIRST LOVE.
Join us for the finale, Part 5 - Each Other.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
The world-famous MYG band will lead in worship, and the legendary Pastor Adrianne Offermann will be bringing the Word, giving her concluding thoughts to our January series, FIRST LOVE.
Join us for the finale, Part 5 - Each Other.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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