May 2008:
As I’m sure most you know, the past month of April has been a roller coaster for Sadie and me. I have described the past month as the best/worst single month of my life. The high for us obviously came with the birth of our beautiful little Norah. It was an amazing experience to be able to see and hold my little girl for the first time. Each time I hold her I am amazed at the amount of love that I possess for such a little baby who can do little more than eat, sleep, poop, cry, and make cute faces.
The other side of our month of April was the death of my oldest sister, Wendi. A mere 9 days after Norah’s entrance into this world, I experience Wendi’s departure from this world. The good news is that my sister is now more alive than she has ever been. I also know that I will one day get to see her again in the presence of our loving heavenly Father.
During the morning of the day that my sister left this world, I was doing my daily devotional and reading from Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. In the letter, Paul writes, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16, NIV). This is how my sister lived. She was a wise woman of God who made the most of the opportunities that she during her time in this life.
In light of my highs and lows I have had to ask myself if I am making the most of the opportunities that God has given me. Am I making the most of my opportunities as a husband, daddy, youth minister, child of God? What about you? Are you making the most of the opportunities that God given you? I believe we hear the phrase “Carpe Diem” a lot, but we don’t really practice it. My challenge to myself and you is to seize every moment for the kingdom of God. Live without regrets and honor God with your life.
In closing, I would like to express how thankful Sadie and I are to have you all as part of our church family. Thank you for all the cards, words of kindness, food, gifts, and most importantly your love that you have expressed to us over the past month. May God continue to bless you as you make the most of all your opportunities.
--Rusty, Youth and Family Minister
April 2008:
I believe spring is one of the most amazing times of the year. The grass and trees that have been dead for so long seem to come back to life overnight. I was driving to work the other day and was amazed at how green all the fields were. Prior to that drive, all I had noticed were the barren trees and brown fields.
In addition to the new life for plants, spring is also the time of year that the Church places special emphasis on the new life we have in Christ. It is in spring that we celebrate the season of Easter. I used to believe that Easter was merely a one day celebration. It was only over the past couple years that I have learned that Easter is full fifty days in the church year. It is not happenstance that the season of lent is ten days longer than the fasting season of Lent. Our forty days of fasting should be followed by a long and wonderful celebration of the new life we have in Christ.
I would encourage you to find ways to make Easter more than “that one Sunday a few weeks ago.” Over the next few weeks, celebrate the spiritual and physical life given to you by Christ. Celebrate that life when you seen the green grass and new flowers. Celebrate that life when you see a newborn baby. Celebrate that life wherever you are going and no matter what you are doing.
Before I leave you, I must mention an important event that I hope you will be involved with this month. On April 25th, the youth ministry will be hosting a fundraising dinner at PeaceWest. The theme of the dinner will be, “A Servant’s Heart.” This theme was chosen because in order for students to receive the money raised at the fundraiser, they will be serving those in our local body as well as families in our larger community. Please join us that evening to help us raise the needed funds for our summer trips.
--Rusty, Youth and Family Minister
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