Pastor's Corner Archives November, 2007 September, 2007 July, 2007 January, 2007 November, 2006 September, 2006 May, 2006 Tidings-May 2006 January, 2006 November, 2005 September, 2005 January, 2005 November, 2004 September, 2004 July, 2004 May, 2004 March, 2004 January, 2004 November, 2003 October, 2003

August, 2008

PASTOR’S CORNER

“I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”(Psalm 121)  PLEASE READ ENTIRE PSALM

As part of my daily devotion over the past couple of years I have been reading through the psalms.  Typically, I will read one psalm a day and work my way through all 150 of them.  Each time something new jumps out and strikes me.  Like all of you I have my favorites and I especially love the psalms that King David wrote.  I seem to be able to relate to him better than the rest.
Today, I read psalm 121 which falls into that category as one of my favorites.  It was the psalm that was read at my aunt’s funeral two years ago.  I was asked by my cousin to officiate the service, and as I was flying down to North Carolina this psalm came to me.  It truly captured for me the heart of Aunt Judy.   She underwent cancer surgery about 20 years prior to her death, and apparently the radiation treatment following the surgery was too much and burned out her lower torso, which subsequently was all removed.  Now for most people I know this would put them in a lifelong depression, but not Aunt Judy.  Her incredible faith, and love for people and life turned this tragic situation into a ministry.  Her friend remembered her by stating, “Judy’s greatest contribution was her boundless love and generosity for others. She touched so many lives, supporting others through her own hardship. Judy counseled fellow cancer patients through CanCare and was active in the (Colon) Ostomy Association of Charlotte, serving as President for several years.”  When I arrived in Charlotte, my cousin asked me to read psalm 121 which she said was Aunt Judy’s favorite psalm.
All of us at times find ourselves and our futures seemingly in the hands of other people.  Situations arise that seem to take us in a direction we didn’t plan on, and quite frankly, in a place we had no intention of being.  Maybe that place is in front of your boss when he or she tells you that you’re being laid off.  Or maybe it is in your doctor’s office when he informs you that you have cancer.  It could be in a lawyer’s office as she guides you through the bankruptcy process, or a divorce or the reading of your spouse’s will.
Can we trust God that He can and will help us through these difficult times in our lives?  Can He work in the heart of an individual to bring about His plan for us?  Can He and will He take us by the hand and lead us from darkness to glory?
The Bible tells that the answer to all of these questions is YES!  God’s promise to His faithful children is that, “He will not let you be defeated.  He who guards you never sleeps.” (Ps. 121:3)

In Jesus’ love,

Fr. Jim +