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The Warm Embrace of Family |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 3/5/2008 2:38 PM | Greetings on this lovely day,
There are days when God seems distant and aloof. Those can be lonely and hard times, even if we have faith that God is there. When we find ourselves in those times we yearn for God’s presence, we long for the warm embrace of God’s love, we want nothing more than to be comforted by God’s grace. These are times when the importance of being part of a faith community is so very clear.
I don’t think we can overestimate the importance of the faith community in helping us through the tough times. When we find it difficult to discern God’s presence, for whatever reason, our church family can and does help fill that void. When we can claim membership in a faith community, we are surrounded by people who will help us when we are down, care for us when we are ill, pray for us when we are unable to pray, and celebrate with us when are restored spiritually and physically. When we claim membership in a faith community, we have a family always ready to stand as partners on the journey, honest and supportive, in good times and bad, through ups and downs, come what may.
As I write this morning, I am overwhelmed by the care and love that this church family has for each other and for all those seeking God’s comforting embrace. Whether it be members, friends, frequent visitors or relative strangers, when they bring their concerns to this family, the family responds with their prayer and their presence. Through so many situations - illnesses and accidents, experimental treatments and long recovery periods, waiting for test results and dealing with whatever news comes, employment concerns and financial obstacles, the sting of death and the grief that follows - this church family has never wavered in their love, support and prayers. We all have felt it; and we all have participated. That’s the beauty of this thing we call the church: we are all participants; providers and recipients at any given moment. It all starts with our shared belief that the God revealed through Jesus Christ has created us not as singular, isolated folks, but rather, as folks that will thrive in community with others. In that community, God’s message of love is taught, emulated and put on display for all the world to take note. And when the world takes note, God will be glorified, and even more people will seek what we have: the love and grace and peace that comes from being part of Christ’s church.
In just the past few weeks, for example, this congregation has surrounded so many with their prayers and presence, and in some way, all those prayers have been felt. Among those people are folks with so many varied needs and concerns: Robert Marshall, working toward self-reliance; Cynthia Freeman as she works hard in rehab; Glen Smith as he pursues treatment; Emily Jorgensen in her time of grief; Shari Smith and her aunt as they have dealt with family issues and family illness; Shane Pinson as he waited for good news from test results; co-workers, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, strangers, who have crossed our paths and our consciousness. They all share the same thing: God’s presence has been made real to them because of the very real presence of this community of faith. And this list is just a small sample of those who have felt the loving touch of BCC. On behalf of all those who have felt God’s presence because of the care and concern of this community of faith, I say “Thank you.”
Yes, there are days when God seems distant and aloof. But when we find ourselves surrounded by a committed and loving community of faith, God is very real and present. And those are the best days… like today.
For an updated prayer list and calendar of events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
Announcements: If you need tickets to the Afternoon Tea, this Saturday March 8th from 2:00 until 4:00, there are still some available. Call the church office at 404-237-3030 or e-mail Ruth Luckett at ruth@brookhavenchristian.org
If you can help with supporting the Christian Education effort to help provide Easter Baskets for children in need, please drop a check in the offering plate this Sunday or sent it to the church. Make the check out to BCC and write “Easter Baskets” on the memo line.
Don’t forget: before you go to bed this Saturday night, March 8th, set your clocks ahead one hour: it is time to “spring forward” into daylight savings time. I’d hate for you not to be on time for church on Sunday!
I hope to see you this Sunday as once again we celebrate the Lord’s Day together! The scripture is John 13:1-17 and the sermon is titled “Setting an Example”. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad
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