Then the devil said to Jesus, “If you will worship me, it [all the world] will all be yours. Jesus answered him, “It is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him’.”

Can it possibly be February, 2010 already? It seems like we just got the Christmas decorations put away! In a little over two weeks from now, Ash Wednesday (February 17) will mark the beginning of the season of Lent. during Lent we remember Jesus’ 40 days of desert wandering and temptations, and we are provided the opportunity for self-examination and spiritual discipline; an opportunity for a “spiritual check-up.”

In these days of economic crisis, employment uncertainties, family and health anxieties, a growing hungry and homeless population, government cross-roads, war and natural disasters, many of us feel we are already in the desert. Some folks have told me they feel as if they are being swallowed up or buried in the desert.

How about you? Where are you? Are you in a place where you need to hear from God, to feel God’s presence or to just cry out to God? Are you experiencing the pains of fear, worry or anxiety? Could you use a spiritual check-up? In these days of obligations and pressures, make time to be part of the church. Here we offer a place for sorting out and sorting through what is going on in our lives; figuring out just what God may be up to. Here we offer comfort, encouragement and hope in Jesus Christ remembering that He is always with us.

Make an appointment for a “spiritual check-up” at FPCJ every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Won’t you join me as we wander through this desert-like time together? Step aside. Come fast from the world which drains you, and feast on God who longs to fill you. Come; together let us remember we are not alone, for the One who brings us joy and hope is the One who also wandered and was tempted, and was beaten up by this world. Thank be to God for opportunities for spiritual check-ups, and for this place where the resurrection is celebrated! See you in church.

Grace and peace for the journey,

Pastor Sue

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Is. 43:19).

I remember getting my first pair of glasses in seventh grade. I resisted, but my parents said it was for my own good. This past Christmas I had my eyes examined, for my own good. I had begun to have difficulty driving at night. The optometrist was careful and precise in helping me find just the right corrective lenses. Optometrists strive to help us achieve 20/20 vision. They want us to see clearly both the things that are right in front of us, and the things which are approaching.

As I donned my new lenses, I wondered what God’s idea of 20/20 vision is? Created individually in God’s image, I imagine God’s vision is different for each of us and for each church. From my experience of God, God’s vision is for our own good, and the good of the world.

As you plan for the New Year, trying to see clearly what lies ahead of you, consider putting on God’s corrective lenses. How is God trying to help you see the world around you differently — including yourself, your relationship with Jesus Christ, your relationship with the church? What corrective lenses is God hoping you will put on as you start each day?

Perhaps seeing the world through the lenses of daily devotions and prayer, or being involved in our weekly Bible study, or Sunday school will help you navigate the year ahead. Perhaps God wants you to envision and be personally involved in new ministries of discipleship and outreach at FPCJ. Will you continue to wear your old corrective lenses, or will you be brave and have your spiritual vision checked again?

As anyone who wears corrective lenses can tell you, new eye glasses or contact lenses can be disconcerting at first. They may be uncomfortable, as if we can’t see straight. Sometimes new lenses make us more cautious in our walking, afraid of missing steps or falling. Optometrists tell us, “You’ll get used to it.” Putting on God’s lenses might make us feel cautious and uncomfortable too, but take heart, we’ll get used to it. God has a way of urging us on to new things that ultimately prove to be for our own good.

Your session has already taken brave steps in checking our church’s vision. We are beginning to see through new lenses regarding our relationship with Jesus Christ in the community. We look forward to sharing with you what we are seeing, and invite you to share what you are seeing. If God is in the visions, they will weave beautifully together.

With this New Year comes new possibilities in God’s kingdom. My prayer is for you to put on God’s lenses to see the new thing God desires to do within and through you; then come share what you are seeing.

Grace and Peace for the Journey, Sue