Murray Presbyterian Messenger

October 2008

Dear Church Family,

 

Several years ago there was a pastor who started his sermon by showing four bottles.  One bottle was filled with cigarette ashes, one with chewing tobacco spit, one with alcohol, and one with dirt.  The pastor put a worm into each bottle.  The worm in the cigarette bottle died and so did the worm with the chewing tobacco spit and the worm with the alcohol.  But the worm in the bottle of dirt was doing great and thriving.  The pastor looked out over the congregation and asked, “What does this demonstrate to us?”  An older man in the back of the church got up and said, “I know, pastor.”  He said, “Well if you chew, smoke, and drink you won’t get worms!”

This parishioner had a funny comment but missed the point.  The truth that the pastor was trying to demonstrate was that we will live spiritually healthy lives if we are in the soil – God’s Word [the Bible].  In scripture we encounter God.  It is His self-revelation to us and that is why it is so important for His people to stay focused on His Word as we worship as a congregation and as we live our daily life.  Scripture nourishes us and comforts us and helps us to follow God.  Yet, we know that living a healthy spiritual life is not easy in our day.  There are many things that move our attention away from God, faith, and His Word.

Today in our culture many people think Christianity is synonymous with being a caring and loving American. The problem with such a view is that Christianity then becomes all about how we act on the outside.  Behavior, instead of faith, becomes the most important aspect of our Christian lives.  The idea that being a Christian is just about being a nice person distorts what Christianity is all about.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians Paul stresses that Christ is supreme.  Christianity is first and foremost about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He is the creator and the ruler of the universe.  When we accept Christ by faith He comes into our lives and changes us causing us to be spiritually re-born (John 3:1-21).  A Christian is someone who is willing to have his or her life transformed by Jesus Christ.  It is our faith in Christ that truly enables us to have concern for others.  How we act is our faith being lived out. 

Being a follower of Christ is not going to be easy.  Friends, co-workers, and relatives will tell you that Christianity gives us all sorts of hang-ups.  It does not matter whether you are a young Christian or someone who has been a Christian for many years.  There are dangers on every side.  Christians, no matter what their age, have the potential to lose the excitement they once had about their faith.  We all go through periods of spiritual depression.  Perhaps you are in a spiritual desert right now.  So how should we deal with this when it happens to us?

When Jesus was in the desert Satan came to tempt him (Luke 4:1-13).  Each time Jesus was tempted he responded to Satan with scripture.  Staying rooted in the soil will allow us to fight off temptation as well.  If you feel that you need to be spiritually re-energized I would like to invite you to several events that the church is offering for spiritual renewal.  On October 5 at 7pm we will be showing Lee Strobel’s The Case for Faith video at the parsonage.  Hope to see you there!  In addition, starting on October 14, the Gregerson’s are offering a class called “Alpha.”  This is a practical study series that explores the Christian faith in a low key and fun way.  Alpha is a world-renowned program that has brought spiritual renewal to thousands of Christians.  Also, I would like to invite you to get involved in our adult Sunday School which is studying the book of Job and is led by Marci Wordekemper.

Each one of us needs to take our spiritual health seriously and stay rooted in the soil – God’s Word!

 

                                                                                                Jeff

 

 

 

 

Don Loftin:  Prayers for healing & strength. (9500 Milford Rd.-Beaver Lake, NE  

68048)

Dave, Jenny, Samantha & Ella Cook:  Prayers of strength for the family & healing for Ella.   (9923 12^th Street – Murray NE  68409)

Jayne Pool:  (Julie Nickels sister) Prayers for strength & healing. A few cards or notes would help lift her spirit.   (328 Auburn Way – Coppell, TX  75019)

Dennis Gochenour: Prayers for healing and strength.  (404 N. Elm Street – Weeping Water, NE  68453)

Alec Price:  Prayers for continued healing.  (2244 E. Lake Drive – Union, NE  68455)

Janelle Sorenson:  Prayers for healing and strength.  (17812 18^th Street – Plattsmouth, NE  68048)

Additional Prayer Concerns:

 

Cathy Balfour as she battles cancer.

(11509 A Street-Avoca, NE  68307)

Nickey Johnson:  Prayers for her parents, especially her Mom.

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Thoughts & Prayers for our shut ins:

 

Lottie Johnson:  continual prayers. (1750 S. 20^th Street-Lincoln, NE  68502)

Mildred Moritz:  continual prayers. (1300 Avenue D-Plattsmouth, NE  68048)

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*Remember the members of our Armed Forces, who are serving overseas and stateside.  We   especially pray for those stationed in the Middle East.

*Philmore Williams – Stationed in Germany

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Continued Prayers of Comfort for:

The Family of Haley Eldred

The Family of Barbara Wohlfarth

The Family of Rick Riekemann

The Family of Char Gochenour