From The Pastor
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During this time of year many people experience what is called the “Winter Doldrums.” If you love to ski and have the opportunity to actually get away and go skiing, you may not feel the doldrums as strongly as others. However the reality is the gloom caused by Mother Nature each winter in much of the country is biologically felt to some degree by an estimated one in four of us, usually starting around October and then magically ending by April with spring's thaw. For most people, this feeling manifests itself as winter doldrums, the
"I-can't-wait-for-winter-to-end" feeling that
produces mild but manageable sluggishness.
If you are indeed feeling sluggish here are a few thoughts and prayers to help us get through the winter doldrums. Along with these inspirational words, coming to worship on Sunday mornings is a wonderful way to begin your week and get a jolt of God’s uplifting love.
If the only prayer you ever say in your life is
“thank you” it will be enough. (Meister Eckhart)
When people ask me “Where is God?” I tell them I would rather rephrase the question to “When is God?” Encountering God is not a matter of being in the right place, but of doing
the right thing. God comes into our lives when we do things that make us truly human. When we help the poor, when we speak out for justice, when we get over our exaggerated sense of our own importance, when we learn to respond with child-like awe to the sun shining in summer or to the snow falling in winter, when we get over being stuck on ourselves, we make room in our lives for God.
(Rabbi Harold Kushner)
Remember….there is a deeper strength and an amazing abundance of peace available to you. Draw from this well; call on your faith to uphold you. The difficult times are often the best teachers, and there is good to be found in all situations. Reach for the good. Be strong, and don’t give up. (Pamela Renfro)
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
(Reinhold Niebuhr)
Live each day to the fullest. Get the most from each hour, each day and each age of your life. Then you can look forward with confidence, and back without regrets.
Be yourself...but be your best self.
Dare to be different and follow your own star.
Don't be afraid to be happy...enjoy what is
beautiful. Love with all your heart and soul.
Believe that those you love, love you.
When you are faced with a decision,
make that decision as wisely as possible, then forget it. The moment of absolute certainty never arrives. And above all, remember that God helps those who help themselves.
Act as if everything depended on you
And pray as if everything depended on God.
(S.H. Payer)
The first day of spring is March 20th – until then, if you are feeling the doldrums, reflect and pray, give me a call and come to worship.
With love,
John
