from Pastor Austin

 

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"Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons."  - F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

Autumn might be my most favorite season. From football, to cooler weather, bonfires, the hope and coming of Christmas, a pot of chili, pumpkins and corn mazes, beautiful trees, and the routine that comes with school ... at least for us! But my most favorite thing about fall is that it brings a cozy, family-like atmosphere to the home. There is a memory that begins to click in our heads, for those with healthy childhood homes, where we start to consider the holidays and the joy that comes with those. It's almost like all the things we enjoy about specific seasons are triggers from earlier joys in our lives. Have you ever considered why you like certain times of the year? Is there a pleasant memory of your life attached to that?

 

In my own spiritual life, I find a few places that trigger joy in my heart. One of those is a campground. One of those is the beach. Another is a sports stadium. But the one that means the most to me is an old church building. From my baptism, to the altar where I gave my life to Jesus, to the pulpit where I preached my first sermon, to my time as a child running around with my friends. A church building is the most prominent place in my life that gives me joy. 

 

The group of believers we call the Church is truly beautiful in nature. Where Hebrews 10 says that this group gathers to encourage one another, 1 Corinthians 12 says it is a canvas of different believers with different gifts that benefit each other. The Church in Acts gave of everything it had to ensure an individual's well being. In various ways, we still do this today. We care for each other in sacrificial ways in the name of Jesus. When done faithfully, this holy act helps the Church shine like gold. 

 

John 13:35

"By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

 

While there are plenty of places in this world we enjoy, none carry the mantle of holy purpose like the Church. No other group loves as well as the Church.

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Ready to talk with your children about this? Ask them how they have seen our local church faithfully  serve others. Take time to discuss why the church must focus on loving each other. Set up a time when your family can choose another family to serve by cooking a meal, mowing a lawn, or visiting someone in the hospital. Put it on the calendar and make the plan!

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Praying for your family today,

Pastor Austin