Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey friends,
This week I have asked Bryan Terry to share a short devotional. Bryan, his wife Mary, and their two sons Jacob & Josiah have been faithful members at Meadows for over a decade. On Sunday mornings you will often see Bryan and his extended family taking up two whole rows at Meadows. Bryan has served as a member of the Church Council for the past few years and he also introduced the Meadows Bucks store to our kids' ministry, which has been a huge hit. Bryan is also a teacher with CCSD and owns an insurance company as well, busy guy! We are so thankful for the Terry family. Enjoy his devotional!
This week I have asked Bryan Terry to share a short devotional. Bryan, his wife Mary, and their two sons Jacob & Josiah have been faithful members at Meadows for over a decade. On Sunday mornings you will often see Bryan and his extended family taking up two whole rows at Meadows. Bryan has served as a member of the Church Council for the past few years and he also introduced the Meadows Bucks store to our kids' ministry, which has been a huge hit. Bryan is also a teacher with CCSD and owns an insurance company as well, busy guy! We are so thankful for the Terry family. Enjoy his devotional!
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Have you ever wanted to have a "Come to Jesus conversation with Jesus?" If you're like me, you may have many questions and want to know the answers to many "whys?" Why am I sick? Why has my spouse left me? Why am I still struggling with addiction? Why are my kids suffering? Why did this person I love have to die? I can go on and on with so many of these questions, but I think you get the gist of what I am saying. As a believer, and someone who has grown up in the church my entire life I have often wondered if it was okay to really ask God why? Is it okay to be upset with God, and ask these types of questions? Well, my friends, I can assure you one thing. Our God is a big God, one with broad shoulders who can take the heat of our anger and handle the questions of our why. Christ loves us and wants us to come to Him always with our hurts, desires, and questions. Remember His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
Often when I struggle to understand just how much God loves me, I try to think of the cross and what He did there. Then I think of my own boys. I have told my boys since before they can remember that one of the best days of my life was the day they were born. I also tell them that there is nothing in this world that they could ever do that would make me love them any less and that there is nothing they could do that would make me love them any more. Why do I feel this way? Well, it's simple, I am their dad, and this is a father's love, to me it's second nature and something that is just in me. One of the best illustrations of God's love for me is in the song Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. He sings of an overwhelming never-ending reckless kind of love (let that just sink in for a moment). That is a powerful statement! There is a part in that song that says, "There is no shadow you won't light up, mountain you won't climb up coming after me, no wall you won't kick down, lie you won't tear down, coming after me." This is our Father and this is an illustration of the purest love that He has for us. This is a God who we can freely come to and ask the "why."
I encourage you friends that when you ask the "why" ask it with trust in mind. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...." Proverbs 3:5-6. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the heavens." We may not get all our answers to our "whys" on this side of Heaven but what I do know for sure is that our Father's plan is perfect, His clock is always on the right time, and He never runs late. Let us be content in our hearts that it is not our will, but Christ's will be done. I will leave you with this life verse from our home. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Blessings,
Bryan
Often when I struggle to understand just how much God loves me, I try to think of the cross and what He did there. Then I think of my own boys. I have told my boys since before they can remember that one of the best days of my life was the day they were born. I also tell them that there is nothing in this world that they could ever do that would make me love them any less and that there is nothing they could do that would make me love them any more. Why do I feel this way? Well, it's simple, I am their dad, and this is a father's love, to me it's second nature and something that is just in me. One of the best illustrations of God's love for me is in the song Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. He sings of an overwhelming never-ending reckless kind of love (let that just sink in for a moment). That is a powerful statement! There is a part in that song that says, "There is no shadow you won't light up, mountain you won't climb up coming after me, no wall you won't kick down, lie you won't tear down, coming after me." This is our Father and this is an illustration of the purest love that He has for us. This is a God who we can freely come to and ask the "why."
I encourage you friends that when you ask the "why" ask it with trust in mind. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...." Proverbs 3:5-6. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the heavens." We may not get all our answers to our "whys" on this side of Heaven but what I do know for sure is that our Father's plan is perfect, His clock is always on the right time, and He never runs late. Let us be content in our hearts that it is not our will, but Christ's will be done. I will leave you with this life verse from our home. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Blessings,
Bryan
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Every Week at Meadows:
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG on Wednesdays at 7 PM
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG on Wednesdays at 7 PM
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Live Stream Update:
If you have been joining us via live stream, you know we have been having some technical issues. We are working on getting the device replaced, but in the meantime, we wanted to let you know that it may not be operational by Sunday. If the new streaming/recording box does not arrive in time, we plan on recording the audio of the sermon and loading it on the Meadows app and website after. Thank you so much for your patience! Technology, am I right?
If you have been joining us via live stream, you know we have been having some technical issues. We are working on getting the device replaced, but in the meantime, we wanted to let you know that it may not be operational by Sunday. If the new streaming/recording box does not arrive in time, we plan on recording the audio of the sermon and loading it on the Meadows app and website after. Thank you so much for your patience! Technology, am I right?
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This Sunday we will kick off our brand new series: Redeeming the Time. Over the next several weeks we will be hearing from incredible speakers about what redeeming the time looks like for them and discover what Scripture has to say about this important concept. I will be sharing a message this Sunday that explores how we as believers can live authentically while making the most of every opportunity.
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Living in the Light.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Lots of love,
Pastor Portia
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Living in the Light.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Lots of love,
Pastor Portia
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