The 23rd Psalm is a favorite of people world-wide.  Even people who are not believers receive comfort from the words of the psalmist.

When you read the first 3 verses you see a picture of provision and tranquility, safety and peace.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right path for his name sake."

But in verse 4, that sense of safety and peace are shattered by the realities of life.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley."

And yet, the psalmist is not afraid.  "I will fear not evil," The reason is the shepherd is still there.  

The shepherd is protecting with his rod, the rod was a weapon used to fend off large predators.  And his staff, the crook at the top to pull us up out of the ditch.  What a great comfort to know God will protect us from harm and pull us up out of the ditch when we stray.

Then the scene changes and God is our host a grand banquet set before us though our enemies may be close by we enjoy the grace and hospitality of our loving God.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil,"

In the desert regions your scalp gets dry and hot and so sweet oil on the head is refreshing and comforting. 

"My cup overflows."  God does not provide enough; he provides abundance, more than can be held in your cup.

"Goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life," God will prosper and protect, that is an amazing thought.

"I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  We have a home and a relationship with God that is eternal.

I pray you are blessed by 23rd Psalm.

Blessings and love,

Pastor Dottie

Dear Friends

This week I spent time just resting in Colossians 3:17; “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God.  Essentially what Paul is saying in Colossians is that you should think about what you do before you do it.  And you need to consider your words as a Christian before you speak.  Remember who you are and whose you are.  You were bought at a price. 

Consider that your actions and your words are sacred.  Sacred, we don’t hear that word very often, it means; “Dedicated to the honor of God.”  What if that was how we lived our lives?  What if before we did anything we said, “This I do to the honor of God, in the name of Jesus Christ”?

A friend of mine attended a large women’s retreat and it was huge, 15,000 women worshiping and praising God, praying and sharing.  The minute they exited to the parking lot, there was chaos, people being cut off, people honking their horns, using gestures.  You would have not known by their actions or their words that they had just spent eight hours praising God and promising to honor him through their words and deeds. 

When alarm is shut off in the morning, through our bedtime prayers what if it was all to the in the name of Jesus Christ?  What would your day look like? 

You start off saying “Good, God it is morning, how may I serve you this day?”  Instead of, “Good God, it is morning and look at this to do list.”

Our breakfast would become a sacred meal.  In fact all our meals would be sacred. It would bring grace to our  table and our meal time would reflect that sacredness.    

Our daily encounters, doing all to honor God, would become sacred meetings.  Everyone would be treated with respect.  Our business dealings would become covenantal with God as the center. 

There are enough Christians in this world, to change the world; we just have to start acting and speaking like Christians.  So this week spend some time just resting in Colossians 3:17; “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

In Christ’s Love, 

Pastor D

The Blog is Back

Dear Ones,
After a long hiatus the "Word from Our Pastor" blog  is back!
People have asked if I blog and so we are returning to regular postings.
If you have comments or thoughts or questions, please post them.
I am excited to add this bring back this communication tool to our congregation and our many friends across the country. 
I look forward to hearing from you and sharing with you on our blog.
Blessings and love,
Pastor Dottie