December 2011 

Greetings!  

There are certain privileges that come with being in your family.  'Refrigerator rights', family jokes only known to those that have either been the brunt of or the instigator of the endless ribbing, a sense of belonging, the ability to call upon others in time of need... But how quickly things get out of kilter and resentment builds if we begin to assume we have those rights to such a degree that we now presume upon family members. This happens in the church.  We have a 'right' to be understood, a 'right' to delivered meals when the new baby comes, a 'right' to an audience with the Senior Pastor whenever a perceived crisis arises. The list is endless, the damage to the body costly.  Paul teaches us something valuable in this last chapter of Philippians.  As our year comes to a close, so does our study of the joy letter.  Paul has learned the secret of contentment in all circumstances.  Whether the church is able to give much, or little or forgets him altogether, Paul's joy is preserved in Christ.  Notice how when the church does give, it is not to Paul's bank account they add, but to their own heavenly account with the Lord.  Maybe this Christmas we can know to a whole new level what it means to add to our heavenly account in Christ by keeping short accounts with each other and relearning how to be surprised and grateful for the small tokens of love that we try to give each other.  What would happen if we hugged more and complained less this Holy Season?

Love,
Cheryl and team