"GROWING IN CHRIST; GOING FOR CHRIST"

Senior Pastor Bart Beebe, writes an article for the newsletter each month.

The July & August Newsletters are combined.

Here is his article for July & August 2007: 

Summer Rest – Part 2  

         In the last edition of The Messenger, I reflected upon Jesus’ words, “Abide in me as I abide in you.” (John 15:5) I suggested that Sunday worship is a weekly opportunity to find rest in our relationship with God. I also mused about the opportunity to find rest in vacation times. This month I want to continue my reflection upon the opportunities God places before us through the gift of vacations.  

          During my week of vacation in June I rested mostly by retreating away to a remote part of the Upper Peninsula . I spent some time visiting with old friends. I also spent some time getting reacquainted with nature via late-night stargazing, walks in the woods and exploration of little known waterfalls. (There are quite a few waterfalls in the U. P. apart from Tahquamenon Falls ; did you know that?)  

          My vacation time in June purposely was not very adventurous. Maybe you enjoy vacations like that, too. Other times, though, we plan vacations that include travel to new and different places that we have never been before.  

          It can be enjoyable and exciting to visit places we have never been to before, especially if these places are distinctly different from the place we call home. Through such travels we can come to an appreciation of different perspectives that people hold regarding everyday things in life that we sometimes take for granted. For instance, years ago I learned that people who live in the mountains and drive up and down mountain roads on a daily basis tend to park their cars in a different manner than us “flatlanders”. When I park my car in my driveway or in the church parking lot, I don’t have to worry about it rolling down the hill. Such is not the case in the foothills of Salt Lake City , where I lived once upon a time for a year. (Fortunately, this was a lesson I did not have to learn the hard way!)  

          Travel can be an educational experience not only as we see the sights, but also as we get to meet the people. Meeting and getting to know people with different experiences helps to broaden our understanding of people and of life.  

          When travel is not possible or preferred, reading can also be a way to experience diverse thinking and viewpoints. While I didn’t travel much during my week away in June, I did try to get in some reading. Some of you know firsthand how a good book on a peaceful day can provide both rest and the challenge of growth.  

          Sometimes, short of travel or extensive reading, a movie or a meal or a brief encounter with another person can broaden our perspective on an issue or an idea. Sometimes we are even moved to a different way of looking at things by a sermon or an example shared in a sermon.  

          In the sermon I delivered on Sunday, June 4, I included a reflection written by a father. In the days that followed, several people asked me if I could give them a copy of this reflection. Trying to save some time, I thought I would just recopy that illustration in the newsletter. It might do us all some good to read it again. The reflection comes from Ralph Milton’s RUMORS,

“a free Internet ‘e-zine’ for Christians with a sense of humor.”  

v     When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.

My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white stuff you can wish on.

v     When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.

My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

v     When I hear music I love, I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.

My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don’t know them, they make up their own.

v     When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.

My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

v     When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.

My kids say, “Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.”

v     When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.

My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

                   So I wonder: Did God give us kids to teach or to learn from?  

          Ah, vacations are good. They can be restful and educational. But there are everyday things and people close to home that can also bring change to our hearts and minds if only we are open to seeing them and hearing them.  

          God bless you in these summer days.                                                                                 

                                                                                See you in worship,  

                                                                                Pastor Bart Beebe