A Church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now." he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3000 sermons.  But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them.  So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.  It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:  "I've been married for 30 years now.  In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals.  But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals,  But I do know this.  They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.  If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.  Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"  When you are DOWN to nothing...God is UP to something!  Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!  Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

We really need both don’t we?! God created us as individuals composed of mind, body and spirit. Many people –Christians and pre-Christians love to take care of their bodies; but the healthiest body, while neglecting your mind and your spirit is of no real value. On the other hand, to exercise your mind with “deep thoughts,” reading challenging authors and engaging in stimulating debates over vital topics; is in the end without any real benefit. Obviously, we as Christians know to neglect our spirit is the worse offense of all. Without Jesus alive in our lives; our lives are void of any real meaning.

I was raised at Will Rogers United Methodist Church in Tulsa, OK. I was there every Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday nights and Tuesday afternoons for choir (if my memory serves me right) and for most every special event that occurred there from the time I was two through twenty-two. It was my second home and for the most part; I loved it. Now don’t get me wrong; I didn’t always want to go – I did miss some favorite TV shows from time to time; but church was where most of my friends were. I was blessed to have godly parents who loved God and believed in supporting the local church in every way - “Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness”. I guess you could say I was “spoiled” by the blessings of having a great church family, but I think that’s a wonderful way to be spoiled!

I appreciate all the faithful members of First Church. It’s been a blessing this last month to experience the Holy Spirit at work in our midst in some fresh ways! I particularly enjoy hearing how God is at work in your life answering prayers, providing for your needs and encouraging The Body!
I can’t wait to see what The Spirit is going to do next! Please be in prayer daily for our upcoming Spiritual Life Weekend March 2-4 and plan now to fully participate in this special time together. You will be blessed!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark