The Messenger - March 3, 2010 - Juggling
The Messenger
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Juggling
So many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat. So, Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest"
(Mark 6:31)
Do you ever feel like a juggler who is trying to keep several balls in the air? One ball might be carpools. One ball might be housework work. One ball might be email. Another ball might be committee meetings. Another ball might be service projects. Another ball might be projects due at work. It's easy to spend so much energy keeping all the "balls" aloft that life becomes a sort of harried blur.
In many respects, this is a natural condition, but it's not a healthy one. My tendency in these times is to run faster and faster--sort of like a hamster on a wheel. But that simply causes more fatigue and less productivity in the end. That's why I need this passage from Mark's gospel--a passage that commands us to break away and rest.
When I follow Jesus' teaching and briefly set my tasks aside, focus is restored, perspective is restored, and faith is restored again. My "meeting" with God might include hiking, listening, journaling, singing, or countless other activities. It doesn't really matter how I do it, and it doesn't really matter where I do it. What matters is that I take a breath and pause to meet with God.
So, the next time your life goes crazy with all sorts of little tasks, choose a few to drop (or, at least, postpone a while) and spend some time with God. Then, as you plan ahead, clear your calendar for 1 day--or at least for half a day--and go to your favorite place to meet with God. When you return to daily tasks, your attitude and your energy will be markedly renewed.
Have a blessed week!
| Weekly Calendar | ||||
| Mar. 4 | ||||
| Thursday | 9:30 AM | Deacon's Meeting | ||
| 7:30 PM | Chancel Choir | |||
| Friday | 7:30 PM | Youth Hang-Out | ||
| Saturday | 11:00 AM | Wedding | ||
| 4:00 PM | Volleyball | |||
| Sunday | 8:30 AM | Adult Sunday School | ||
| 9:30 AM | Worship | |||
| Scripture: Matthew 9:1-7 | ||||
| Sermon: "The Healing That Everybody Needs" | ||||
| Preacher: Pastor Neal | ||||
| 11:00 AM | Worship & Music Meeting | |||
| Monday | 7:00 PM | Stewardship Meeting | ||
| 7:00 PM | Women's Bible Study | |||
| 7:30 PM | Nar-anon | |||
| Tuesday | 7:00 PM | VBS Meeting at UMC | ||
| 7:30 PM | Student Ministries Meeting | |||
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM | Bible Study at Carrow's | ||
| 1:00 PM | Women's Bible Study | |||
| 4:00 PM | AWANA for Children | |||
| 4:00 PM | Gospel Gang | |||
| 4:30 PM | Cherub Choir | |||
| 5:00 PM | Angel Choir | |||
| 5:30 PM | King's Chorus | |||
| 6:30 PM | Boy Scouts | |||
| 6:30 PM | JR High Fellowship | |||
| 6:30 PM | SonLight Singers | |||
| 7:00 PM | Chapel Bells | |||
| 7:00 PM | Co-op Meeting | |||
| 7:00 PM | Prayer Group | |||
Good Humor = "Joyfulness"
"Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young.
A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us."
- Orison Swett Marden
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
"Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."
The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.
The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.
He said, "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up".
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner."
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!
Until next time!
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Page Last Updated: Thu Mar 4, 2010