The Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship

 
Brian Rice, our new webmeister, asked me to begin this blog…pointing out the need for pastors to dialogue with people through technology, not just from the pulpit. In the communication realities of the 21st Century, he’s right and I thank him for nudging me along. I don’t think I can handle a daily blog, but I’ll try to do this weekly. However, why did we have to begin this week? Couldn’t we have begun on an easier week? I mean, there I was on Sunday trying to address the monumental realities of an earthquake in Haiti, while talking about the biggest political shift (potentially) since the Presidential Election and attempting to “squeeze-in” Connect Groups. At least that’s what I it felt like…Couldn’t we start on an easy week in which all was quiet on the western front??? Naaahhh. It’s time to address the issues of our day, as difficult as they are, with the light of God’s Word. For starters…were we really “squeezing-in” connect groups to our morning agenda or are they just as important as the other topics? Jesus says in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” According to this statement, the love that Christians show one another will have an evangelistic impact…meaning, people will know that we represent the person of Jesus Christ in a world that so often does not. Apply this to our Sunday morning emphases and it’s fair to say that:
People will know we are disciples of Jesus if we love Christian (and non-Christian) people in Haiti. People (and culture) will know we are disciples of Jesus if we vote in agreement with God’s Word. People will know that we are disciples of Jesus if we love each other within Connect Groups.
In light of these realities, I think “squeezing-in” Connect Groups is a pressure I shouldn’t feel. If we love each other (on any scale) we are fulfilling our mandate to love, in a world desperate for unfailing love. So…let’s get to it!!!
Love in Christ – PB (aka Pastor Brian)