FROM THE PRESIDENT
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many, they form one body."
I Corinthians 12:12
Hammock - check, lemonade (or beer) - check, a good book - check, an
afternoon all to yourself - check. Mix those four ingredients together and you
have a recipe for a perfect summer afternoon. Or maybe you want to dispense
with the hammock and spend it inside on your couch. So why can’t you relax?
Why is your mind racing a mile a minute, as usual? What seems to be missing?
There is one more secret ingredient needed for this dish and it is often
overlooked - a spirit at peace.
For many of us, pushing the pause button is easier said than done, even during
the summer months when life should slow down a little, giving us a chance to
catch our breath and relax. But just as physical rest is necessary for a healthy
body, spiritual rest is important for our spiritual well-being. And the best way to
rest your spirit is to rest in the One who created you.
The notion of resting is a theme woven throughout Scripture beginning at the
very beginning. “On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so
He rested from all His work.” Genesis 2: 2.
Even God took a day to rest after creating the world and it’s a lesson He intends
for us to follow. “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest
in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my
strength.” Psalms 23: 1-2. In God, we have all that we need. No matter what. He
knows the “green meadows” and “peaceful streams” that will restore and renew
each of us. And He promises to deliver. When we walk with Him, we can count
on Him for complete rest and restoration.
As we move further into the Texas summer, let us not forget how easy it is for our
changing (or lack of) routine to lead us away from our faith and our Immanuel
church community. Whether kids are running around the house more than
normal, or you’re out and about exploring the world, it is important to be
intentional about staying in God’s word, otherwise it probably won’t happen. Take
time to rest and reflect this summer. This is the day that the Lord has made; let
us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24.
afternoon all to yourself - check. Mix those four ingredients together and you
have a recipe for a perfect summer afternoon. Or maybe you want to dispense
with the hammock and spend it inside on your couch. So why can’t you relax?
Why is your mind racing a mile a minute, as usual? What seems to be missing?
There is one more secret ingredient needed for this dish and it is often
overlooked - a spirit at peace.
For many of us, pushing the pause button is easier said than done, even during
the summer months when life should slow down a little, giving us a chance to
catch our breath and relax. But just as physical rest is necessary for a healthy
body, spiritual rest is important for our spiritual well-being. And the best way to
rest your spirit is to rest in the One who created you.
The notion of resting is a theme woven throughout Scripture beginning at the
very beginning. “On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so
He rested from all His work.” Genesis 2: 2.
Even God took a day to rest after creating the world and it’s a lesson He intends
for us to follow. “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest
in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my
strength.” Psalms 23: 1-2. In God, we have all that we need. No matter what. He
knows the “green meadows” and “peaceful streams” that will restore and renew
each of us. And He promises to deliver. When we walk with Him, we can count
on Him for complete rest and restoration.
As we move further into the Texas summer, let us not forget how easy it is for our
changing (or lack of) routine to lead us away from our faith and our Immanuel
church community. Whether kids are running around the house more than
normal, or you’re out and about exploring the world, it is important to be
intentional about staying in God’s word, otherwise it probably won’t happen. Take
time to rest and reflect this summer. This is the day that the Lord has made; let
us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24.
Your Friend In Christ,
Larry W. Moehnke, Council President
Larry W. Moehnke, Council President