This has been a great time of holiday celebration for our family. Adrell and I stayed up late last night with our kids. We played games and chatted a bunch. It was great fun.
One of the highlights of the season for me was our foot-washing service last Wednesday night. I don't recall a foot-washing service where the entire church attended. It is seldom a popular service but few disciples seem to have an appreciation for the service. Its their loss really.
What other service provides the one single opportunity to resolve old conflicts in the church. Perhaps it is the neglect of this one ordinance, which the Church of God declares it still believes in doing, that is at the heart of church conflict and disunity. I wonder if the Council of Nicea would have ended in such a major church split if they had taken the time to wash one anothers feet.
What other service provides the one single opportunity to resolve old conflicts in the church. Perhaps it is the neglect of this one ordinance, which the Church of God declares it still believes in doing, that is at the heart of church conflict and disunity. I wonder if the Council of Nicea would have ended in such a major church split if they had taken the time to wash one anothers feet.
I am very excited about the direction our childrens ministry is heading right now. I am aware it is a temporary solution and I will commit to doing everything in my power to safeguard against the temporary becoming permanent. I do want to express appreciation to each of you who have stepped forward to provide ministry to our children. May God richly bless each of you. Let me also send out a special thanks to Kendra, Christie and Alicia for providing the initial leadership that was so needed. God bless you ladies!
Next Sunday we will be announcing a shift in our church events next Sunday. Be sure to tune in for what is on the horizon.
A new year brings fresh opportunities and new impetus to strive toward fresh goals. All our family have been inspired to be active in exercise and watching our food intake. Fresh new perspectives are being taken toward devotions and many are making fresh choices in family dynamics. To you who are making such choices, allow me to suggest a couple of things.
The first is that it will be regular discipline that help to build new habits. Discipline, which is at the heart of discipleship, comes from a choice of the will. The more firmly you commit the more likely you will be to build new behaviors.
The second suggestion is that you not get discouraged. My son Phil is astounding at being able to lose weight (not to even begin to mention Amanda who not only can lose it but keep it off!) and he always provides opportunities to have a break. We also need to find a means to not be discouraged.
Remember the goal is progress not perfection. You are building new habits and new habits a re formed from consistency. Old habits die hard and need to be sometimes re-framed in a negative light. Come to think of it, this seems to be good advice for witnessing!
The first is that it will be regular discipline that help to build new habits. Discipline, which is at the heart of discipleship, comes from a choice of the will. The more firmly you commit the more likely you will be to build new behaviors.
The second suggestion is that you not get discouraged. My son Phil is astounding at being able to lose weight (not to even begin to mention Amanda who not only can lose it but keep it off!) and he always provides opportunities to have a break. We also need to find a means to not be discouraged.
Remember the goal is progress not perfection. You are building new habits and new habits a re formed from consistency. Old habits die hard and need to be sometimes re-framed in a negative light. Come to think of it, this seems to be good advice for witnessing!
May God richly bless you and your family this week.
Pastor and Adrell Stacey
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