Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hi friends,
This week I have asked Pat Richards to share an encouraging word with you all. Pat and her husband Gary serve as Praying Elders here at Meadows. Pat and Gary are lifelong missionaries who travel far and wide, spreading the Gospel. We are so very thankful that Pat and Gary call Meadows home. I really hope you enjoy Pat's devotional!
This week I have asked Pat Richards to share an encouraging word with you all. Pat and her husband Gary serve as Praying Elders here at Meadows. Pat and Gary are lifelong missionaries who travel far and wide, spreading the Gospel. We are so very thankful that Pat and Gary call Meadows home. I really hope you enjoy Pat's devotional!
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We have been learning different spiritual practices that can provide a framework for our time with the Lord, where our hearts draw closer to him, our faith is strengthened, and our walk becomes deeper. One of the truths that has been a powerful tool in my walk with the Lord and the spiritual battle that we face in this world is understanding 'The Power of the Songs We Sing.'
Words are important. The earth was without form and void - God spoke - and the power of His Word created this world and all that is in it. Hebrews 1:3 declares that to this day, the power of His Word is holding it all together. Including us. As we pursue any type of spiritual practice, we need to be mindful, to actually pay attention. Too often, I find that I do things on auto pilot, and it doesn't really 'stick' with me. Am I the only one that's driven to work, home, or church, someplace I go often, and find I get there and don't remember any details of the drive? Sometimes we 'do' our time with God; we 'do' worship; without it penetrating our soul. I remember a Sunday morning worship service a few years ago, while singing a song of commitment and rededication, suddenly, the meaning of the words I was singing hit my heart - and I stopped - overcome with the reality that as I sang and declared the words, God was listening. He was mindful, and He would take me at my word.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us, 'Let your yes be yes and your no be no.' (Matthew 5:37) To say what you mean - and mean what you say - without needless words and promises. It is better to NOT make promises, than to break them. God's Word has the power to create, to sustain. It has never lost its power. When we speak God's Word; when we sing God's Word, the power of that Word is released in our lives. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8 NIV) Understanding the scriptural basis of the songs we sing encourages us to not simply sing songs because someone is leading us; but to meditate, ponder and receive the truth in the songs we sing. To learn to use the power of the songs we sing as a prayer, as a declaration and reminder during our day, during our week, as we live life.
The chorus of the song "The Way" declares:
"I believe You are...
The way, the truth, the life..."
These words come directly from Jesus' words at the Last Supper. He'd just dropped the bombshell that one of the twelve was going to betray Him; that He would be leaving to prepare a place and would come back to take them with Him; and then he tells them, "You know the way to the place where I am going." 'Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14: 5-6 NIV)
Basically, Jesus is saying, you just need Me, because I not only 'provide' what you need - "I am" everything you need. Let's use the power of the songs we sing. Let's sing mindfully, intentionally, declaring into every circumstance and situation in our lives (both the positive and the challenging) what we believe: that our amazing God is all we need.
Words are important. The earth was without form and void - God spoke - and the power of His Word created this world and all that is in it. Hebrews 1:3 declares that to this day, the power of His Word is holding it all together. Including us. As we pursue any type of spiritual practice, we need to be mindful, to actually pay attention. Too often, I find that I do things on auto pilot, and it doesn't really 'stick' with me. Am I the only one that's driven to work, home, or church, someplace I go often, and find I get there and don't remember any details of the drive? Sometimes we 'do' our time with God; we 'do' worship; without it penetrating our soul. I remember a Sunday morning worship service a few years ago, while singing a song of commitment and rededication, suddenly, the meaning of the words I was singing hit my heart - and I stopped - overcome with the reality that as I sang and declared the words, God was listening. He was mindful, and He would take me at my word.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us, 'Let your yes be yes and your no be no.' (Matthew 5:37) To say what you mean - and mean what you say - without needless words and promises. It is better to NOT make promises, than to break them. God's Word has the power to create, to sustain. It has never lost its power. When we speak God's Word; when we sing God's Word, the power of that Word is released in our lives. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8 NIV) Understanding the scriptural basis of the songs we sing encourages us to not simply sing songs because someone is leading us; but to meditate, ponder and receive the truth in the songs we sing. To learn to use the power of the songs we sing as a prayer, as a declaration and reminder during our day, during our week, as we live life.
The chorus of the song "The Way" declares:
"I believe You are...
The way, the truth, the life..."
These words come directly from Jesus' words at the Last Supper. He'd just dropped the bombshell that one of the twelve was going to betray Him; that He would be leaving to prepare a place and would come back to take them with Him; and then he tells them, "You know the way to the place where I am going." 'Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14: 5-6 NIV)
Basically, Jesus is saying, you just need Me, because I not only 'provide' what you need - "I am" everything you need. Let's use the power of the songs we sing. Let's sing mindfully, intentionally, declaring into every circumstance and situation in our lives (both the positive and the challenging) what we believe: that our amazing God is all we need.
_________________________________________________
Below is a recap of this week's Sacred Practice:
"The Sabbath is an invitation to enter delight. The Sabbath, when experienced as God intended, is the best day of our lives. Without question or thought, it is the best day of the week. It is the day we anticipate, and the day we remember. Sabbath is the holy time where we feast, play, dance, have sex, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk, and watch creation in its fullness. Few people are willing to enter the Sabbath and sanctify it, to make it holy, because a full day of delight and joy is more than most people can bear in a lifetime, let alone a week." - Dan Allender, Sabbath
"The Sabbath is an invitation to enter delight. The Sabbath, when experienced as God intended, is the best day of our lives. Without question or thought, it is the best day of the week. It is the day we anticipate, and the day we remember. Sabbath is the holy time where we feast, play, dance, have sex, sing, pray, laugh, tell stories, read, paint, walk, and watch creation in its fullness. Few people are willing to enter the Sabbath and sanctify it, to make it holy, because a full day of delight and joy is more than most people can bear in a lifetime, let alone a week." - Dan Allender, Sabbath
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Upcoming Events at Meadows:
- Men's Breakfast is this Saturday, September 10, at 9 AM. Men of all ages are invited to join us for a time of fellowship, the Word, and of course, a great breakfast. Click HERE to let us know you are coming!
- Ladies Connect is BACK! Join us on Tuesday, September 13, for our launch party! Here are the details:
Fall Ladies Connect:
Study: Waymaker
Morning Session: Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Evening Session: Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Fall Session Length: Eight Weeks Cost: $30 (Study Guide is included)
(Childcare is available at both the morning and evening sessions)
We will be journeying through Ann Voskamp's Waymaker study together while growing a deeper relationship with God and one another. Ladies of all ages (16 and up) are encouraged to register for Ladies Connect. To register today, click HERE.
- Men's Breakfast is this Saturday, September 10, at 9 AM. Men of all ages are invited to join us for a time of fellowship, the Word, and of course, a great breakfast. Click HERE to let us know you are coming!
- Ladies Connect is BACK! Join us on Tuesday, September 13, for our launch party! Here are the details:
Fall Ladies Connect:
Study: Waymaker
Morning Session: Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Evening Session: Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Fall Session Length: Eight Weeks Cost: $30 (Study Guide is included)
(Childcare is available at both the morning and evening sessions)
We will be journeying through Ann Voskamp's Waymaker study together while growing a deeper relationship with God and one another. Ladies of all ages (16 and up) are encouraged to register for Ladies Connect. To register today, click HERE.
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Weekly Events at Meadows:
- Prayer Meeting on Monday at 10 AM
- MYG on Wednesday at 7 PM
- Wednesday Night Connect at 7 PM
- Prayer Meeting on Monday at 10 AM
- MYG on Wednesday at 7 PM
- Wednesday Night Connect at 7 PM
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This Sunday is an exciting one, church! Dr. Angie Richey will be here to share Part 6 in our Abide series. She is the President of Life Pacific University and is a Licensed Therapist. She is an educator and mental health advocate, passionate about empowering individuals to live out their God-given purpose. Angie is a recognized voice in Christian higher education, a future-focused innovator with a proven track record of adaptive leadership. Angie and her husband, Lew Richey, are founders of the Gathering, a Foursquare Church, a counseling practice, and a consultancy specializing in strategic leadership development and entrepreneurship, and they have two adult children. It is going to be a really great Sunday!
See you on the walkway!
Pastor Portia
See you on the walkway!
Pastor Portia
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