There is joy and blessedness in being permitted to witness in an age of doubt and unbelief to that precious faith committed unto us. 
The Rt Rev'd H.B. Whipple, Founder of The Church of the Good Shepherd, Maitland, Florida, 1881

Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Yesterday I shared a few of culture's standards by which a man is measured (according to an article in the Raleigh North Carolina News and Observer).  These included: the ability to make and conserve money; the cost, style, and age of one's car; a man's strength, size, and how much hair he has; the job he holds; his aggressiveness and reliability.

Jesus' list of how we measure up according to God's standards is so very different: Blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are those who mourn; blessed are the meek; blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; blessed are the merciful; blessed are the pure in heart; blessed are the peacemakers.

Whereas culture measures us by the externals, God measures us first and foremost by the internals.  The first three of the Beatitudes describe people who have come to the end of their own resources, and consequently can acknowledge their complete dependence on the only One who can provide.  In the words of the hymn:
Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

If the first three Beatitudes are about letting go of all false sense of self-sufficiency and a complete reliance on God alone, then the next four Beatitudes are about how we relate to the world because of our reliance on God and not ourselves, and the last two are the possible reactions of the world to our changed focus and lifestyle.

May we refuse to be complicit with the way the world measures us.  May we rather come to the realization that self-reliance is ultimately illusory - there is only One in whom we may place our confidence, and in doing so may we extend His Kingdom by living accordingly.

In His Peace, Grace, and Love,
Rev'd Sarah+

PS for those who would like to read the story I shared about the Chilean miners please follow this link

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CHILI COOKOFF AND DESSERT AUCTION

 

February 12, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Join us for wonderful food, great fellowship, and a little good-natured competition!
Enter your favorite chili recipe or bring along a dessert for the auction or just come for the food and fun!

Saturday evening service normally scheduled for 5:00 pm will begin at 6:15 on February 12 in order to accommodate the Chili Cookoff.