Taradiddle (Colossians 3.1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “taradiddle.”  I love how the Bible talks about putting on the new self.  It makes me feel like I have been given the gift of a new and blameless life before God.  W see in today’s passage that the church was continually dealing with the struggle to be true to one another.  They were reminded that as they shed the old self and embraced the new, God was faithful to respond to them as both a people, and individuals.

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” ~Col. 3:9-10

My question is: how do you act towards the people within your sphere of influence?  We must understand that as God calls us to be different and set apart, so must we remember to let our actions match our deeds.  The Lord has called us to be a people who live in his image. That means we need to love one another.  And as in the case of the people in the Colossian church, even the smallest taradiddle brings deceit within the church, because even those little lies fester and grow.  We must be more like Jesus.  Knowing him on a personal level is up to us and the way that we choose to move either closer to God, or further from him.  I pray that you continually renew your mind and the knowledge of God’s saving grace.  Take a moment the morning to thank and praise him.

Praying for you,

MO

Incunabula (Mark 1.29-39)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “incunabula.”  The New Year is always fun and exciting.  There is a freshness of spirit and understanding that you have the chance to be better.  Resolutions, decisions, and all that comes with each year puts you in a position to do the unexpected.  I think that is one of my favorite parts about having a relationship with God.  There is always something to challenge me, to be a better person and

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” ~Mark 1:35

My question is: What are your goals for this year? When you take this first day of the New Year, are you ready and willing to make JC a part of your year-long commitments?  My prayer is that you take the time to use this first day with God and give him the best of your year, right from the start.  Do it today.  When you add God to this beginning equation, the incunabula, I can confidently say that you will have a great year.  Not saying it is going to be easy… but worth the time and effort it will take to live according to God’s will.

Praying for you,

MO

Flapdragon (Romans 12.1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “flapdragon.”  If your family is anything like mine, each year you have your ritualistic boardgames, flapdragons, and such that bring in the new year.  I remember vividly growing up and having different families over at the house, engaging and all the fun and festivities of bringing in the New Year.  I am also reminded of a renewing of my faith and a continued understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ~Rom. 12:1-2

My question is: what are your resolutions for the New Year, and is God a part of them?  My mentor has me make resolutions each year and defined my goals for the next 12 months.  I’ve been doing this for quite some time now.  Because I am an avid Journaler I am able to look back at this year and those previous to see what kind of progress, or changes that I’ve made up my life.  My prayer is that you would look forward to the New Year and make sure that God is a part of any of your decisions to change.  Use this time as a refresher in your faith, and make decisions that will last a lifetime.

Praying for you,

Mo

Skosh (Psalm 1:1-6)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “skosh.”  During the beginning of each year I revisit the Psalms.  What I like about that particular book in the Bible is when you feel that you do not know exactly what you should read, opening up to any of these Psalms is usually a pretty good idea.  And, in keeping with the theme of new beginnings this year, it is only appropriate to start with the first one.  A lot of times people overlook this psalm because it is like the quick start guide of how to read the rest of the book.  But, there are some very telling the pieces within these verses.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

~Ps. 1:1-2

My question is: what are some of the resolutions that you have made this year that will move you to be a better person?  Everything that we do it is important that we remember that each day is given to us to become a little bit better.  My prayer is that each of you examines the places in your life where you maybe have fallen short and would like to improve.  The goal is not to become better by leaps and bounds each day, but even just a skosh is pretty awesome.  Always work to get a little closer at excelling in everything you do.

Praying for you,

mo

Terminus (Luke 5:36)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “terminus.”  Last night I was thinking about coming back to our regular schedule.  It's always bittersweet at the end of this particular holiday season.  I love Christmas and everything that goes with it.  But with the terminus of one season comes the joys of something fresh.  Bringing in the New Year always makes me feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.  But, the most fun that I have is looking forward to new beginnings and a continued journey.

“And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.”

~Luke 5:36

My question is: what do you have in store for this year?  Remember that God wants to continually make your relationship with him new each day.  As you make your New Year's resolutions take some time and effort to add God and to those.  My prayer is that each of you burns away the old stuff that gets in the way of your relationship with God and puts on the new clothes of the Savior.  Let's have a great year!

Praying for you,

Mo

Inchoation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “inchoation.”  Today marks the beginning of yet another year. Now that we are in the middle of this particular decade, it is important for us to evaluate how we are doing.  Back in the early church, years were not necessarily the marking of times, but in events. One of those events was a belief in Christ and a transformation of life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

~2 Cor 5:17

My question is: what are you most looking forward to this new year?  I know that each of us have a ton of stuff the we are thinking about, stuff that needs to get done.  God gives us new beginnings at many points in life.  It is easy for us to see that in days like today.  As the Lord brings forth this year another inchoation, or beginning, I pray that each of you takes the opportunity to see what God has laid in front of you to be successful and obedient.

Praying for you,

mo

Cusp [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “cusp.”  Deciding to live a life with JC is all about newness.  The peeps in the Corinthian church knew that they were in a unique position to receive a fresh start.  As this church grew in numbers and spiritual understanding, they were urged to keep the message simple.  Learning to change one’s life to focus on God was not an easy task.  However, it was essential for these believers to know that with any beginning comes much desire and need for change.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

~2 Cor 5:17

My question is: what are the things that you have changed since you gave your life to JC? I know that i continue to do my best to become new each day, and refresh my relationship with him.  For those of you who are struggling in your relationship to God, or do not know where you fit into this grand plan, what are the things that you would like to change in your life… if you could. My prayer is that God shows you your potential new-self and that you learn how to be better each day.

Praying for you,

mo

Novitiate (2 Peter 3:9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is " novitiate.”  I remember pretty vividly my first few days of high school.  In fact, I was so nervous for my first day as a freshman that I had my mom drive me to the school the day before it started, I hopped the fence, and found out where all of my classes were.  I guess the reason I remember this is because I was moving out of my comfort zone into something new.  I think sometimes as Christians we forget that others who do not share the same beliefs as us should be up to par and figure stuff out quick.  This is the exact opposite of what we should be thinking.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

~2 Pet 3:9

My question is: are you the kind of person that others want to be like?  I know that we hear this all the time, but maybe we need to take a hard look at whether or not we are an example of what other people should emulate.  My prayer is that each of us take a deep look at the way that we respond to people who are not like us, mainly those who are not Christians.  For some reading this, you might not even call yourself a Christian, and that's okay too.  In fact, my favorite part about being a pastor is that I get to speak with people who are not of my faith beliefs.  Either way, I hope that God takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to put your faith into practice, whether you are new believer in the novitiate of the kingdom, or if you are a seasoned veteran.  God wants to use you to speak to others.

Praying for you,

Mo