August 2007 Letter from the Pastor

The fact that it is August means that: school supplies are on your list; the grass is probably brown (unless you watered); vacations are in full swing; the Timberwolves are mathematically out of the playoffs (oops, they haven’t started yet); and college towns are gearing up.

August on your calendar also means that over half of 2007 is gone. Is this a good month to look back at goals or commitments made several months ago?

The ancients tell of a Montrognon, a man who existed only to eat and drink. He was allegedly a descendant of Esau on his father’s side, and of Gargantua on his mother’s. He once performed a feat of killing six hundred Saracens who happened to get in his way as he was going to a dinner. He was bandy-legged (bowlegged), could lift immense weights, had an elastic stomach, and four rows of teeth to chew things.

If in fact the man was more than legend, he sounded like a real contrast to Brainard, who on his death bed, said to Jonathan Edwards: “I do not go to heaven to be advanced, but to give honor to God. It is no matter where I shall be stationed in heaven, whether I have a high or low seat there, but to live and please and glorify God….My heaven is to please God and glorify Him, and give all to Him, and to be wholly devoted to His glory.”

Do you think his goals were accomplished in his life?

As a church, our Mission states: Our purpose is to glorify God and advance His Kingdom by making disciples.
Our Vision reads: We envision being a caring family of growing Christians reflecting Christ’s love.

Making disciples and growing in Christ includes an ongoing development in at least five areas: Worship; Word (the Bible); Wait (prayer); Witness; and Work (serving).

Maybe you set goals related to these areas at the beginning of the year. How are you doing? If you did not set any goals then, why not finish the year strong with a new commitment!

Are there people who would respond in faith to Jesus Christ if we got serious about the W’s? An emphasis on each one of them could play an important role in communicating the love of Christ.
With all of what August means for your yard or your shopping list, may it also be a month of renewal in your spiritual life.

In Colossians 4:2-ff. Paul challenged, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

What does the fact that it is August mean to you…?

Pastor Lerud

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” - Colossians 4:2