A word from the Pastor...

WYSIWYG

2011 still lingers in our minds. Can't help it. Before us is a year spread out there yet to be explored. How do you see 2012? That is the question of the day. "What you see is what you get" is what behavioral scientists preach and the way the computing community lays out their programs. This tells us of mapping things out with the end results in picture. Experiences from "The Year That Was" could greatly influence the way we confront "The Year That Is Now." 

The book of Haggai was written to encourage the Jews to rebuild the ruined temple during the time of the Babylonian captivity. Haggai confronted the governor and the remnant of Israel that was left and asked: "'Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?'" (Haggai 2:3)

"How do you see it now?" That is the question that I hope you will ask about your life and about your relationship with Christ as we begin this New year. "How do you see it now?" 2011 may have treated you harshly or kindly. If you had the upper-hand, improve more on it. If you got the shorter end of the stick use those experiences as stepping stones for improvement.

"That's easier said than done," you may say. Consider this Danish maxim that says, "Life is not simply holding a good hand. Life is playing a poor hand well." Even better counsel is what Haggai wrote to his readers (and to us) in v.4, "...yet now be strong..." and he goes on to say at the end of the same verse, "Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts..."

Happy New Year!

Pastor Fred & Agnes