Hope

Where I live in northeastern New Jersey, the leaves are all starting to change colors. The signs that fall is upon us are so evident. In some ways I really enjoy this. I found that I love the change of the seasons.

I am a summer guy, there is no question about that. I love almost any activity that has to do with the summer except for sweating. So the change from it being 96 degrees out with the humidity being something you can taste to a cool 70° is welcome to me right about now. As you drive around the neighborhoods, more and more pumpkins are showing up on people’s doorsteps and I’m starting to notice more cornstalks popping up around too. That one never really made sense to me, I’m just going to be honest. I get why people put up pumpkins they’re cute and decorative, I’m just not to sure about the cornstalks.

One of the things I love about the changing of the seasons is that it reminds me of what I love about the season before it. Right now I am missing sitting and soaking in the sun on a sandy beach. I am missing hearing the sound of seagulls cackle about my head. In the middle of the summer oddly enough I find myself missing a rainy spring day. And in the dead of winter, I long to be outside in a flannel shirt and a vest. Then in the spring I miss sitting under our favorite blanket on the couch with a cup of hot coffee. Every season reminds me of the beauty and joy of the season before it.

In the midst of all of this change, I am reminded of one thing that doesn’t change–God. Whether there are leaves on the trees or leaves on the ground, or they are somewhere in the in between stage, God is still in control. In fact, God is the one who causes leaves to bud out, grow, and then one day fall to the ground. God is holding that together right now.

For some of you it isn’t the natural seasons that you’re concerned about. Right now you’re in the midst of changing seasons of life. Some of you have lost a job, gotten a divorce, or found out you have cancer. Or maybe you’ve recently become a parent, or that precious baby you used to hold in your arms is now breaking free and headed off to college. These changing seasons can be incredibly difficult.

No matter what season of life you’re in remember that God is one who doesn’t change, even if you do. I love the words from Lamentations 3:21-23

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

What is one thing you need to hope in God for today?

~Peter

I love music. I enjoy making music, listening to music, and finding new music. I happened to catch a portion of MTV’s Video Music Awards two weeks ago (the VMA’s). I have been on the fence about a particular artist until recently. I’m talking about none other than Taylor Swift. It sealed the deal for me when several weeks ago now she included one of my favorite pastors, Pete Wilson and his family in her most recent video. Check that story out here.

I happened to be watching during Taylor Swift’s performance. It was unreal. She did an incredible job. The message she was sending was huge! Since MTV has taken all of the video’s down from youtube all I have is the audio from her performance. Listen to this song.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF0x2_mXjM4]

Regardless of you know what happened in 2009 during the VMA’s or not(Kanye West!), this song still speaks profoundly.

Some of us feel like Taylor is singing about our lives. Maybe you’ve lost your balance on a tightrope. Maybe you’ve blown your relationships with everyone around you. Maybe you’ve cursed your family out and left them behind without a care. Maybe you’ve gotten yourself chemically dependent on some thing or another. Perhaps you’ve given parts your sexuality away to people it was never intended for. Guilt can set in and just about wreck a person and cause them to feel worthless and alone.

Jesus knows about this and took care of this problem. See the reality is that every single one of us has ‘blown it and left ourselves in the warpath.’ We’ve all ‘lost our balance on the tightrope’ of life. Jesus died on a cross, was buried as every other dead man is, and unlike every other dead man He rose from the dead!(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Because of that one action you and I have a hand back up on the tight rope. We have been picked up out of the warpath and placed in safety. Forgiveness is here for you. Hope is here for you. Restoration is here for you. True life is here for you.

I watched as a young woman in the spotlight demonstrated forgiveness on national television. I listened to a musical narrative that made me immediately think of the one who is in the business of forgiveness; Jesus Christ.

~Peter

Changing Seasons and an Unchanging God

I guess you really did it this time