TRANSFORMATION
I’m really looking forward to spring. Like the old saying goes; “Spring is right around the corner”. It’s a wonderful time of the year to see life blossoming into existence before our eyes. I’m looking forward to seeing the crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and the dogwood trees blossoming, and all the beautiful colors that are accompanied with the variety of flowers and trees. It is a refreshing site to see the beauty of spring unfolding after going through a long cold winter. Most of the plant life is dormant during the winter, hidden in the darkness of the earth, yet alive and prepared to blossom in the spring. I think about the butterflies and moths that are confined to a dark chamber for a period of time, inside their cocoon, before they emerge and spread out their wings with a beautiful array of colors for the first time to experience life in its beauty.
A cocoon is sometimes used as a metaphor to describe a person living in sin, in darkness, confined to a space that is limited from experiencing life outside the cocoon.
But when we receive Christ as our savior we are born again. We emerge from the darkness of sin, just like having been in a cocoon, full of darkness and sometimes feeling helpless and hopeless. But when we receive Christ as our savior we emerge from the cocoon and we are given a new life. And figuratively speaking, we have wings to fly in a new direction. As Isaiah 40:31 says,”But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall Mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Psalm 103:5 has a similar message which says, “The Lord satisfies our years with good things and our youth is renewed like the eagles”. I believe what the psalmist is saying is that in the same way that the eagle is dependent upon the wind to carry it to it’s destination, so too, the Holy Spirit carries us to our destination. Our dependency is not on our own strength, but on the strength of God’s Spirit carrying us. In the Gospel of John 3:8, Jesus says, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it’s sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” To this word Jesus spoke, I’ve written a poem entitled:
” Life Is Like The Wind”
Life is like the Wind, it sets its course unknown;
Those living through it are seeds carried to be sown.
The Wind carries us to many places, some we don’t want to be;
But just as the Wind carried us there, with the Wind we also leave.
We learn to endure the Wind, it’s strong or mild touch;
At times it seems so gentle and at others so forcefully much.
We never know it’s movement, so vulnerable to what it brings;
But if we adapt and overcome, into its path will lift our wings.
We shape ourselves through it, or else we let it shape;
But when our will is surrendered, the Wind predicts our fate.
The Wind will always be, though it’s directions often change; How we yield to the Wind, our life will rearrange.
Yes, it is our will that shall guide us, to our ultimate destination; But the Wind will always have its way without any hesitation!
The word cocoon is also used in a different context, in its form as a verb, known as “cocooning”.
Cocooning is a trend that sees individuals as socializing less and retreating more into their homes apart from everyone else. Cocooning has intensified more among individuals in the age of internet and computers. Many people, even christians, cocoon themselves into a world of information and imagination apart from the reality of actual life experience. One of the dangers of cocooning is that it takes us away from communicating and integrating with people the way that God intended us to. To live like Jesus it is necessary to emerge from the tombs of technology and get out into the world that God has created and be the salt and light of the earth that He intended us to be. Matthew 5:14 – 16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people like a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday (not counting Sundays). The early Christians observed the days of our Lord’s Passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the church that before Easter celebration there would be a 40-day season of spiritual preparation.
During this season of Lent new converts of the Christian faith were prepared for baptism. It is also a time of inner reflection, confessing sins, and seeking God’s forgiveness, and for some, restoration to participate in the life of the church.
In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness found in and through Christ.
During Lent I will be emphasizing self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God’s Word.
I hope you can join us for the Ash Wednesday service, Wednesday March 5th at 6:00 p.m. . It can be an opportunity to make the lent season a more meaningful and spiritual experience.
God bless you all,
Pastor John
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Bible Memory Verse Plan
Week 1 – Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19, KJV
Week 2 – Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
Week 3 – Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3, ESV
Week 4 – James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” – James 1:5, ESV Week 13 – Psalm 107:8
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Bible facts Did you know that:
• There are 66 books in the Bible?
• Micah and Nahum are the middle books of the Bible?
• 3 John is the book with the fewest words?
• Psalms has the most chapters?
• There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible?
• Psalm 117 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible?
• Psalm 117 is also the shortest chapter in the Bible?
• Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible?
• There are 31,101 verses in the Bible?
• Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible? “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man” (NIV).
• John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible? It has two words: “Jesus wept.”
• Esther 8:9 is the longest verse in the Bible? It has 78 words.
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The apostle Paul wrote: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13)
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Shamrock
St. Patrick used the shamrock to teach people about the Godhead. Holding up a shamrock, he challenged them, “Is this one leaf, or three?” Inevitably, people replied that it was both, prompting St. Patrick to draw the analogy that so, too, is God: one God in three Persons — the Holy Trinity.
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How to Pray
Pray where you are. God is present everywhere and ready to listen.
Pray, when possible, in a quiet place where you can be alone. It is good to fix your mind deliberately on God, apart from confusing distractions.
Pray to God simply and naturally, as to a friend. Tell him what is on your mind. Get help from the prayers of others.
Pray, remembering the good things God has done for you. Give thanks for all your blessings.
Pray for God’s forgiveness for the unworthy things you may have done. He is near to a humble and contrite heart.
Pray especially for those things that will make your life more Christlike.
Pray for others, remembering the help they need for the situations they confront.
Pray for the world in its need, and for God to guide you toward ways you can help.
Pray that God’s will be done in you. His purposes are deeper and wiser than our own.
Pray, and then allow God to answer your prayer.
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Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. One gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy.
A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen. —Mother Teresa
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 1pm
You may reach Pastor John at #607-651-4760 or at his.ship@gmail.com
E-Mail Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests (whisperpines@frontiernet.net) throughout the week.
Sunday, March 2nd – Transfiguration Sunday
Wednesday, March 5th – Ash Wednesday Service – 6pm
Friday, March 7th – World Day of Prayer
Sunday, March 9th – 3:00PM – Service at Barnes Kasson, If you would like to help – please see Pastor John
Sunday, March 9th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
Thursday, March 13th – PW meeting 11am
Wednesday, March 19th – Men’s Breakfast 8am
Thursday, March 20th – First Day of Spring
Tuesday, March 25th – Newsletter Deadline
Thank you to all who donated to our Souper Bowl Mission. We collected $360.00.
Don’t forget our card ministry - If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Cathe. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Cathe will address the envelopes and mail them.
NOTE: Our website is: www.franklinhillpresbyterian.org where you can access online messages, event calendar, our church newsletter, mission, etc. Check it out when you can! Church E-Mail: fhpc400@att.net Also check our Facebook Page! Phone #570-967-2075