Tomorrow afternoon, Margaret, Angelina, and I head out to Rancho Cordova for a Chrysalis weekend. We are so excited!! I know that many of you are experienced with the Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis, and so you know exactly what I mean. There is just something special about it, something different than anything else I have ever experienced. It was at a weekend similar to Chrysalis (we called it Search then, great name) that I first really, powerfully experienced the love of God for me. It truly changed my life. That was about 30 years ago now, and I have been involved in Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, and their several different branches all of my adult life. If you aren't familiar with these things, I think it's best explained as a weekend of remembering why we are Christians in the first place. Whether we are new to Christianity, or are a lifelong churchgoer, these weekends remind us what Christ has done, and why it matters. I am looking forward to the music, and the laughter, the stories, the new friendships, and the presence of God everywhere! I leave every single time with a renewed sense of God's love for me, and new inspiration for living my life with God.
I will also be with you in worship on Sunday, driving back to Fallon on Saturday night and returning to Rancho Cordova after worship. Expect your pastor to be a little bit frazzled, and a little bit tired, but a whole lot inspired and joyful. This week in worship, moving prayerfully and thoughtfully through Galatians 5:22-23, we will hear what God has to say to us about peace.
I wonder if you read that word, and feel like I do: oh Lord, YES PLEASE. I wonder if you think of somewhere beautiful, with growing things and a soft breeze, with outdoor sounds and smells. Or maybe you think of a kitchen table, full of good food and packed with smiling people who love each other. Maybe you think of a quiet, thoughtful, slow, worry-free place...or unlimited time to be with your closest friend, to do whatever you love best to do...or a loud, crowded concert hall with the kind of perfect, harmonious music that takes your breath away. The prophet Isaiah, in chapter 11, describes the Peaceable Kingdom like this:
"The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them...
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea."
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea."
The book of Revelation describes it as a place more beautiful than we can imagine, covered with precious stones, streets paved with gold, a wide, clear river and the Tree of Life. And in chapter 21, the prophet describes it this way:
"Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people,
and he will dwell with them.
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them
and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away."
Makes a person's heart feel full just reading that, doesn't it?
Isaiah and John the Evangelist and all of us tend to think of this kind of peacefulness as something that will happen when Jesus returns and sets all things right. And that's true! But the wonderful thing is, God promises us a portion of that peace NOW. Right now, in this life. As you prepare your hearts for worship this week, you might like to take a look at the Gospel of John, chapter 14. Think and pray on it, and we will talk about it together on Sunday. See you then!
Leaning on the everlasting arms,
Pastor Dawn
