Taradiddle (Colossians 3.1-10)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “taradiddle.”  I love how the Bible talks about putting on the new self.  It makes me feel like I have been given the gift of a new and blameless life before God.  W see in today’s passage that the church was continually dealing with the struggle to be true to one another.  They were reminded that as they shed the old self and embraced the new, God was faithful to respond to them as both a people, and individuals.

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” ~Col. 3:9-10

My question is: how do you act towards the people within your sphere of influence?  We must understand that as God calls us to be different and set apart, so must we remember to let our actions match our deeds.  The Lord has called us to be a people who live in his image. That means we need to love one another.  And as in the case of the people in the Colossian church, even the smallest taradiddle brings deceit within the church, because even those little lies fester and grow.  We must be more like Jesus.  Knowing him on a personal level is up to us and the way that we choose to move either closer to God, or further from him.  I pray that you continually renew your mind and the knowledge of God’s saving grace.  Take a moment the morning to thank and praise him.

Praying for you,

MO

Incunabula (Mark 1.29-39)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “incunabula.”  The New Year is always fun and exciting.  There is a freshness of spirit and understanding that you have the chance to be better.  Resolutions, decisions, and all that comes with each year puts you in a position to do the unexpected.  I think that is one of my favorite parts about having a relationship with God.  There is always something to challenge me, to be a better person and

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” ~Mark 1:35

My question is: What are your goals for this year? When you take this first day of the New Year, are you ready and willing to make JC a part of your year-long commitments?  My prayer is that you take the time to use this first day with God and give him the best of your year, right from the start.  Do it today.  When you add God to this beginning equation, the incunabula, I can confidently say that you will have a great year.  Not saying it is going to be easy… but worth the time and effort it will take to live according to God’s will.

Praying for you,

MO

Flapdragon (Romans 12.1-10)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “flapdragon.”  If your family is anything like mine, each year you have your ritualistic boardgames, flapdragons, and such that bring in the new year.  I remember vividly growing up and having different families over at the house, engaging and all the fun and festivities of bringing in the New Year.  I am also reminded of a renewing of my faith and a continued understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ~Rom. 12:1-2

My question is: what are your resolutions for the New Year, and is God a part of them?  My mentor has me make resolutions each year and defined my goals for the next 12 months.  I’ve been doing this for quite some time now.  Because I am an avid Journaler I am able to look back at this year and those previous to see what kind of progress, or changes that I’ve made up my life.  My prayer is that you would look forward to the New Year and make sure that God is a part of any of your decisions to change.  Use this time as a refresher in your faith, and make decisions that will last a lifetime.

Praying for you,

Mo

Novitiate (2 Peter 3:9)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is " novitiate.”  I remember pretty vividly my first few days of high school.  In fact, I was so nervous for my first day as a freshman that I had my mom drive me to the school the day before it started, I hopped the fence, and found out where all of my classes were.  I guess the reason I remember this is because I was moving out of my comfort zone into something new.  I think sometimes as Christians we forget that others who do not share the same beliefs as us should be up to par and figure stuff out quick.  This is the exact opposite of what we should be thinking.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

~2 Pet 3:9

My question is: are you the kind of person that others want to be like?  I know that we hear this all the time, but maybe we need to take a hard look at whether or not we are an example of what other people should emulate.  My prayer is that each of us take a deep look at the way that we respond to people who are not like us, mainly those who are not Christians.  For some reading this, you might not even call yourself a Christian, and that's okay too.  In fact, my favorite part about being a pastor is that I get to speak with people who are not of my faith beliefs.  Either way, I hope that God takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to put your faith into practice, whether you are new believer in the novitiate of the kingdom, or if you are a seasoned veteran.  God wants to use you to speak to others.

Praying for you,

Mo