Even though it is only the very beginning of September, we already see signs that Fall is fast approaching. Thankfully, one of those signs has been a slight cooling in the temperatures. Hopefully those days of triple digit heat will remain behind us and we will continue to enjoy bright and sunny days in the high 80’s and low 90’s. But, isn’t it good to know that whether we are baking in the heat, basking in a more moderate climate or dressing warm so we can shovel snow, God is still with us.
In the early 2000’s our family lived on the Monterey Peninsula, and to hear people talk it was hard for some to distinguish between Monterey and heaven. As beautiful as it was, we knew a man who lived in Pacific Grove who suffered from a great deal of depression. His stated reason for it was the lack of sunshine and the frequent presence of fog. It’s true folks, we are often adversely affected by our outward environments, or our moods our activities and yes, even the weather. Personally, I find things about each season of the year that I find enjoyable and certainly there is plenty to be thankful for in each of the seasons.
But then we must also consider the seasons of one’s life. The Bible addresses both chronological age and spiritual development when John writes of “children, young men and fathers” (1 John 2:12-14). And Luke writes of the development of Jesus saying He grew “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). Both these reflect seasons of life. Obviously there is also that season of life where the hair turns gray and the body doesn’t function as well as it once did.
But, we must also take stock of what season we are in spiritually. As the seasons of a year change, we prepare for it. We get out the umbrella or the raincoats. We again begin to wear sweaters and coats to stay warm, but what about those seasons of doubt and struggle? How well do we prepare for those seasons?
Summer is almost over. A chapter of our lives is ending. Time is passing and we are getting older, but Fall is also a season of new beginnings and it can be a time of spiritual renewal. Let me encourage you from the pages of the Bible:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6
I invite you to come join us on Sunday in the fellowship of loving and caring people! God bless. I love being the Pastor of the Journey!
Pastor Jim Day
In the early 2000’s our family lived on the Monterey Peninsula, and to hear people talk it was hard for some to distinguish between Monterey and heaven. As beautiful as it was, we knew a man who lived in Pacific Grove who suffered from a great deal of depression. His stated reason for it was the lack of sunshine and the frequent presence of fog. It’s true folks, we are often adversely affected by our outward environments, or our moods our activities and yes, even the weather. Personally, I find things about each season of the year that I find enjoyable and certainly there is plenty to be thankful for in each of the seasons.
But then we must also consider the seasons of one’s life. The Bible addresses both chronological age and spiritual development when John writes of “children, young men and fathers” (1 John 2:12-14). And Luke writes of the development of Jesus saying He grew “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). Both these reflect seasons of life. Obviously there is also that season of life where the hair turns gray and the body doesn’t function as well as it once did.
But, we must also take stock of what season we are in spiritually. As the seasons of a year change, we prepare for it. We get out the umbrella or the raincoats. We again begin to wear sweaters and coats to stay warm, but what about those seasons of doubt and struggle? How well do we prepare for those seasons?
Summer is almost over. A chapter of our lives is ending. Time is passing and we are getting older, but Fall is also a season of new beginnings and it can be a time of spiritual renewal. Let me encourage you from the pages of the Bible:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6
I invite you to come join us on Sunday in the fellowship of loving and caring people! God bless. I love being the Pastor of the Journey!
Pastor Jim Day