January Letter

With a smile, I recall a church bulletin of a few years ago. Right there in the “Order of Worship” section, it boldly announced that, just before the prayer, we would all join in “Moments of Medication.” We decided on meditation instead.

As we head into this new year of 2008, here are three succinct Scriptures that pack a punch - for meditation, for application. They speak to my soul (and I hope, yours as well).

1. “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
   (Psalm 90: 14)
2. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
   Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
   1. who forgives all your iniquities;
   2. who heals all your diseases;
   3. who redeems your life from the pit and
           and crowns you with love and compassion;
   4. who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
   (Psalm 103: 1-5)
3. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
   (Romans 15: 13)

Knowing that we are so easily trapped by the urgent
                                                            the immediate
                                                                the material . . .
     . . . the Lord draws our passion to the truly important
                                                                   the eternal
                                                                      the spiritual

This early Sunday morning in January, 2008, I take great joy with you that He alone is able to transform our smallish, self-contained longings into healthy, holy hopes. Let’s not be shy or too proud to ask Him.

And based on His word (Psalm 90, Psalm 103, Romans 13, for starters), let’s respond by

1. Recognizing our tendency to forget His benefits.
2. Recalling - actively bringing back to mind His mercy that forgives, heals, revives
3. Rehearsing - re-living (it’s like enjoying a mental DVD replay of His blessings, played out in living color in our imaginations)
4. Remembering - quickening our memories, awakening from spiritual amnesia and selfishness
5. Rejoicing - like a man who looks out over ripe farm fields, we look out and back on blessing upon blessing, and we look forward to the future He has prepared for those who love Him.

That’s joyful. That’s hopeful.

“Lord, our generation craves satisfaction from money, from power, from consumables, from friends,  from forms of religion.
          Satisfy us with your unfailing love.
In our flesh, we naturally, normally, frequently forget your incredible benefits - your blessings.
            Heal our amnesia of soul.
And when we walk through the valley of the shadow ... or jog in the sunlight of early morning health,
            Fill us with your kind of  joy and peace  - - - - so that we may overflow with your kind of hope.
            In our marriages and families.  In our work.  In our service to others.  In our walk with You.
Amen.”

Yours and His . . .  for a Great ‘08 !

Dr. John P. Williams, Jr.
General Superintendent, EFC-ER