From the Pastor |
This weekend is a special time in our communities. Rondout Valley and Onteora High Schools are holding their graduation ceremonies. I would like to extend a heart felt congratulations and my best wishes to all the 2015 graduates... especially Lori and Erin from RVHS and the Samsonville Church. I know you will accomplish great things.
Whether your new path takes you to college or to work (or even to both) I hope you will allow God to go with you on this journey. You all have so much love and talent, intelligence and heart and with God you can be sure that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Wherever life takes you remember the words of the Apostle Paul: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Look to God in all you do: Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” And whenever hard times and trouble come your way (which will inevitably happen) remember to look to God's Holy Word and to God himself for love, and guidance.
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He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:39-4:41, NRSV)
Have you ever wondered why the Bible seems to keep telling us over and over again “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid”? Even in the midst of a storm out on the water... a lake know for sudden and dangerous storm... Jesus admonishes his disciple. "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" I try my best to not worry about what the future will bring. I try my best NOT to be afraid, but it is so very difficult. In this world we live in it is hard, so very hard to not be afraid. It seems like every day we are inundated with reports of crime, violence, anger, hatred and war. It seems as we look at the world around us ANY "normal", "sane" person would feel at least some fear. I try not to "sweat the small stuff" as they say. However I have to admit at times I am afraid; mostly for my children and grandchildren. Where are they today? Will they have a good day or will they get hurt? We all feel fear, worry, anxiety... The key is to not let the fear take hold; to not allow it to take root in our hearts. Fear is destructive. Our fear can cause us to hide ourselves away from the realities of our world; from the people who need our help the most. Fear causes us to lash out, do or say things that are negative, hurtful and even lead us to violence against others. Fear often leads to war. Look throughout history at what fear has done... Fear has led to many a war, to the hunting and execution of "witches". It leads to hate for those who are "different" and causes us to close our hearts to anything new. Fear truly separates us from God... enlarging the gap between us and the grace and love of God. Someone once said: "What we don't understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. And what we cannot control...we attack." (Author unknown) This is the reason scripture and even Jesus himself continuously reminds us "Do not be afraid!" Fear is destructive. Faith in constructive. The two do not work together. Faith is how we combat our fears. Faith in god... Faith in Christ Jesus our Lord... having faith means to trust in God. When we trust in God, there is NO FEAR because we know that God is with us. No matter what happens, God is with us! Embracing our faith; feeding it regularly through worship, praise, prayer and scripture.This is the way of faith. It is the way we open our hearts and minds to God's Holy Spirit. Putting our trust in the Divine King and recognizing that God is in control. This is the way we can combat the fears we have. Releasing them, through our faith, into God's Almighty Hands. Jesus is our example of how to live a life of faith, hope and love. Jesus faced hard times; Jesus was threatened, beaten, mocked and humiliated. He was crucified. He faced fear... he even prayed that God might change the path he was on... yet, no matter what fear he faced in his life, Jesus consistently chose FAITH over FEAR! And even though that choice led him to the cross and a painful death... it also led him to the ULTIMATE VICTORY: Resurrection into New Life! Now, we are faced with the same choice every day; will we chose faith over fear or will we let our fears control and consume us? |
Yeon Shin
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