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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 10/22/2008 11:25 AM | Greetings on this beautiful fall day,
If you are like me, you need to get away. Oh, I’m not talking about leaving town, or finding some deserted island beach, although, that does sound nice. No, I’m talking about getting away from all the noise of the news…the election, the economy, the endless drumbeat of somber pronouncements concerning so many things: health, crime, natural disasters. And while I truly believe that the news media in this country do us a great service in helping to keep us informed, there are times when I just need to get away from it all. And so, this week, I have tried to do just that. As a wise friend counseled, “Just turn it off, man!”
When I am alone in the car, I usually have the radio on. I try to find music and no talking, but that is almost impossible. So, this week, no radio, no i-pod plugged into my car stereo, no nuthin’. And you know what, it seems to work. I read the newspaper in the morning, but try to put aside the editorials and letters to the editor and concentrate on fun things like sports and the funnies and movie reviews. I am trying to not turn on the news, except to get the weather or traffic. And it seems to be working. Oh, I can’t get away from it completely, but I find, especially in the car, I am a lot less stressed out, able to concentrate on what the day ahead will bring, see if I can’t map out where I have to be when. As of right now, at 10:35 a.m., I am approximately a half hour ahead of schedule! Not bad, if I do say so myself.
And what will I do with that extra half hour? Will I find even more work to do? Will I seek to be more productive? I don’t know, but I know I won’t be turning on the news…
We all need to get away from it all occasionally. Jesus built it into his life. Over and over again we hear of Jesus finding time to go up the mountain, or across the lake, or into the garden to get away from the pressures of the day, the crush of the crowds, the stress of his life. He went to pray, to sleep, to simply be… It is a lesson that all of us must learn if we are to truly be the people God would have us be: whole, healthy and fully present. There are so many benefits from finding the time to sit by yourself, praying, letting your mind wander, reading your Bible. My doctor tells me that I am not imagining that I feel better when I am able to concentrate on prayer and quiet. She told me that several studies have shown that pulling away from the noise of the world, even for just a few minutes in the day, leads to lowered stress indicators like lowered blood pressured and decrease in the tendency toward depression.
So, in the midst of the chaos, find a place to just be for awhile. Believe me – and my doctor! – it will help.
For an updated prayer list and a complete list of coming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
Announcements:
This Saturday is “More Hands for God Day” and all those who would like to volunteer with other members of Disciples congregation in the Atlanta area for a half-day of assistance at “The City of Refuge” should meet at the church and be ready to carpool to the site at 8:00 a.m. – let me repeat…we will leave at 8:00 a.m. If you have not signed up but would like to attend, please contact me via return e-mail so we can make sure we have enough cars, etc.
Don’t forget, there is a congregational meeting this Sunday immediately following worship. Last Sunday, the Official Board voted on a budget that they are recommending to the congregation this Sunday. It is a budget that tries hard to reflect the uncertain times we live in, while making sure that we don’t miss a beat in fulfilling our mission as Christ’s church at the corner of Lanier and Peachtree. The meeting will also include the presentation of the slate of nominees for officers, elders, deacons and junior deacons for the coming year. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.
The Pumpkin Patch is going full steam ahead and lots of you have stepped up to help out. Remember, this is an activity of the church, not just a small group of people. If you can sign up for shifts over the next 10 days, it would be greatly appreciated. We are especially in need of pumpkin patch volunteers for Saturday evening (10/25) and Sunday evening (10/26)…please sign up if you can help out. It is a wonderful way to meet folks from the neighborhood and help them to put a human face on “Brookhaven Christian Church.”
Don’t forget that next Sunday, November 2nd, is Youth Sunday and our youth will be leading us in a very special worship experience in the fellowship hall at 11:00 a.m. Come and see in what good hands the future of the church rests!
A VERY BIG, SPECIAL THANK YOU TO LONI SMITH! I know she didn’t do it for the recognition, but Loni came in on Monday and used her business equipment and expertise to shampoo the carpeting in the sanctuary and all the seat cushions. When you see her, thank Loni for this gracious gift to her church!
For your prayer lists:
As the weather turns colder and shelter is harder to find, please keep our brothers and sisters on the streets in your prayers.
Ruth Luckett, our office manager, continues her slow road to recovery following surgery. Complications made the surgery much more invasive than they had hoped, and the recovery has been slower than they would have liked, but she hopes to be back at work next Monday.
All those who are suffering from allergies, change of season colds, flu, etc., as the season is once again upon us!
I hope you can join us this Sunday as we once again gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day together. The sermon this week wraps up our look at “Lessons from the Kings” with a sermon entitled “Jesus: The Truth King”. The scripture is John 18: 36-38a. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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