God’s Kindness Changes One Life at a Time

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, 
not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 
Romans 2:4 ESV

It is easy to become overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness, when reading the headlines of the latest cruelty, perversion or political movement that seems to hate even the merest vestige of Christianity. Such temptations to despair sometimes can get our eyes off of what God has called us to do and call us to respond with harshness, criticism or sarcasm. But Jesus had another way when He faced an unreasonable and seemingly hopeless mission. The path that Jesus took, unleashed the power of God’s kindness.

Yes, Jesus wept over the city, but then He walked down into it and gave His life. No, Jesus did not stop teaching the hard things about the Kingdom of God, but when they nailed Him to the cross, He didn’t hurl angry accusations against His opponents, instead He prayed, “Father forgive them.” How foolish and weak that must have sounded! Forgive? What good would forgiveness do? How could that change the situation? The answer came not only on the third day, when they found Jesus alive again, it also unfolded on the day of Pentecost when three thousand of the people He had wept over repented and believed. Soon all of Jerusalem was shaken, and tens of thousands became Christians. It all began in a moment on a hillside, when judgement seemed the more logical response, but Jesus chose the power of kindness, and that kindness has changed the world. Kindness doesn’t win military victories, elections or Hollywood awards but God’s kindness changes the world one life at a time. I know it has changed mine!

I Hope the French Don’t Mind!

One of the older titles for Angels We have Heard on High is, “The French Carol” whose original title was Les Anges dans nos campagnes. But, on Sunday, we sang it in English! (And I hope the French don’t mind). I hope you also don’t mind and that you will enjoy Gary Jenkins and I singing with our friends at Watermark Assisted Living.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!
Luke 2:13-14 ESV

Quiet Sunday Thoughts – Christmas Joy

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

Today we begin the first of four caroling events at various Senior facilities in our area. This is our small part in carrying the same message of joy that the angels brought to shepherds 2,000 years ago. Others will bring it to children, some to prisons and some into the marketplaces of our world. The message never changes though every generation hears it in a different way. Jesus came into the world to find us, heal us, shed His blood for our sins and call us to live our lives for Him. We may not know the answers to why the problems and sorrows of life have happened, but God’s message is that Jesus came in the middle of them all and He came for you and me! Now that is definitely a hope that brings comfort and joy! Have a blessed Sunday everyone and pray for our outreach at 2 pm this afternoon!