When I travel from Carbondale to Paris, I take two interstates, I-57 and I-70. Both
of these major highways currently have a number of construction zones. Before you approach a construction zone, there are highway signs warning you to slow down. In a construction zone, drivers are asked to reduce their speed for the safety of the construction workers and their own safety. Recently, I have been forced to slow down. COVID diminished my energy level which required me to rest and take it easy. I wasn’t happy about it but I had no choice. The virus within my body would not allow me to keep pace with the normal “speed of life.” Sometimes life’s circumstances force us into a different pattern of life. Sometimes we choose a different rhythm of life. Jesus often took time for quiet and rest. Mark 1:35 says this; Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Jesus is our model in all things. If our Lord took time to slow down, shouldn’t we? During the month of October, I plan to slow down. Beginning on Monday, October 9th , I will be taking a week of silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemane in Trappist, KY. Time spent on retreat will allow me to be still, rest, and spend significant time in prayer. Following my retreat, I hope to be recharged and spiritually renewed. I will be back in Paris in time of our Trunk or Trick event on Saturday, October 28th and I will be back in the pulpit on Sunday, October 29th . While I am away, you will have a wonderful array of guest speakers who are listed below. Here is the list of the worship speakers for the month of October: Sunday, October 1 – Bill Minnis - The Lord’s Supper Sunday, October 8 – Jeanette Levellie Sunday, October 15 – Mike Butts Sunday, October 22 – Betty Brinkerhoff Sunday, October 29 – Pastor Vallerie I Count It all Joy, Pastor Vallerie
0 Comments
During the months of August and September, our worship services have been and will be centered around the essential practices of the Christian Faith: worship, prayer, Bible study, service, giving and sharing our faith. In my sermon on Sunday. August 20th , I mentioned that I have an app on my phone called, Pray As You Go. This app is free and provides a daily devotional with music, a scripture reading and a reflection. The devotionals are based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Recently, while listening to a devotional on my app, I was asked to ponder two important questions. The questions to consider were these: What human things pull your mind away from God? And what divine things draw you closer to God? I thought a great deal about the first question. Now that I am a senior, I worry about not having enough money. That worry can pull me away from God. Recently, I confessed my concern about money during our Friday Afternoon Bible Study. One of the members asked me if I have ever been without what I needed. I answered, no, I never have. God has always provided just what I have needed just when I have needed it. Then she asked me: “Then, why do you worry?” The second question was easier to answer. The spiritual disciplines of worship. prayer, Bible study, giving and service, particular the discipline of prayer, have always drawn me closer to God. The beauty of nature and the love of family and friends also draws me closer to God. I want to invite you to ponder these two important questions. Hopefully, they will draw you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the list of sermons for the month of September: Sunday, September 3 – Following Jesus: Give - The Lord’s Supper Sunday, September 10 – Following Jesus: Share Sunday, September 17 – Joint Worship with Paris Presbyterian – Rev. Rodger Allen, preaching – Outdoor worship and luncheon Sunday, September 24 – Having the Same Mind – Outdoor Worship I Count It all Joy, Pastor Vallerie |