|
|
|
A New Start |
 |
|
Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 8/11/2010 8:21 AM | Greetings!
As I was driving to work this morning, I passed about 50 kids waiting for school busses along my way and I was reminded that for alot of the kids in the Atlanta area, this week is the first week back in school. One friends kids in Decatur actually started last week, on August 2nd. It seems early to me, but it must really seem early to the kids! In fact, I don’t think it matters if you start on August 2nd or October 2nd: it’s still going to be early for the kids!
But still, I remember going back to school with a sense of excitement, a sense of a new beginning, and if it was a year where you changed schools, you actually had a chance to “reinvent” yourself among people who had never met you before. Sometimes that is what I miss most after spending so much of my life involved with higher education. Because the fact is, that new beginning and new excitement was just as present in my 13 years as a college faculty member as it was when I was in elementary school! There is something reenergizing, something renewing about the start of a new school year.
It is something that we could all use from time to time: a chance to start again. And that fact is, we have that opportunity whenever we want it.
There have been times in my life when I felt “stuck.” Stuck because of circumstances that I could control; stuck because of circumstances beyond my control. But stuck, nonetheless. When I have found myself in those situations, I have hoped and prayed for a new start, only to discover that I can start again whenever I wish. Oh, this does not mean that I can disregard my responsibilities or not deal with very real issues in front of me. What it does mean is that I can change the way I think, change my attitude and invite God in to help me move forward. And that last part is the key. Too often we believe we can push through things on our own. A lot of our self worth is wrapped up in being able to handle what life throws at us. Not only do we not HAVE to face up to these things alone, it is my belief that we SHOULDN”T face these things alone. God created us to be in relationship. With God, and with each other. When we finally remember that God is with us, that God has promised to see us through, we will understand that we need to go to God in prayer and simply ask for help. ”Give us this day, our daily bread” is a good place to start. Then, we can face anything with a sense of renewal, ready to start again.
We cannot hide from our responsibilities or the problems that confront us. But we can move forward knowing that we are loved by God. When we face up to what is causing us to be “stuck” with that realization, we can begin again, This is not pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by theology: it is the reality of being God’s children, created and loved by God. Too often we deal with God only on Sunday morning when in fact, if we would start every day thanking God for a new beginning, if we would face every challenge we meet, every meeting we attend, every decision we must make by acknowledging to ourselves that we are not alone and God is with us, we will see that the new start we seek is real and present. Every time we ask for it.
For an updated prayer list list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Please keep the family of Jim Knuckles in your prayers as they deal with his loss. There will be visitation at Patterson Oglethorpe (right next door to the church) on Friday August 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday August 14th at 11:00 a.m.
Please keep Marcia Butler in your prayers as she undergoes tests.
Please keep Trae Hurst in your prayers as he deals with health concerns and prepares for hip replacement surgery.
Upcoming Events
This is a big Sunday for our children and the Christian Education ministry. Immediately following worship, we will gather for our 3rd Sunday Fellowship Pot Luck Luncheon. So bring a dish or two to share and join us for lunch. During the fellowship lunch this week, we will recognize those children who are being “promoted” to the next level, and say thank you to the teachers who help make our children’s Sunday School so vital and effective. Please make every effort to join us as we celebrate together.
A couple of things to put on your calendar: The beginning of our Super Sunday programs on Sunday evening beginning September 12 and the Garden Club Yard Sale on September 24 and 25.
I hope you can join us in worship this Sunday as we once again celebrate the Lord’s Day together. This week’s sermon will be the second in our three part series: “Questions for God” and the title is “Why Did You Change, God?” The scriptures are Malachi 3:5-8a and John 14:15-21. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
|
|
 | |