Monthly Archives: January 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:00 am on January 20, 2015  

Take a Census Once in a While – Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 20, 2015

“Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: those listed of the tribe of Judah were 74,600.” Numbers 1:26-27

When I jog, I try to think about anything but jogging. One of the habits I have picked up over the years is to count my steps. Through the process of counting, not only does the time seem to slip by a little quicker, but I find that I can accurately determine the half-way point of my jog – just by counting the steps. It is a tedious process, but I find it helps me get to the end.

Another area of our lives that can benefit from counting is our faith journey. When was the last time you took a few days and counted your blessings – each and every moment of each and every day? Not possible? Think about the census taken of the Israelites – a census of the people as directed by G*d. How long would this “accounting” have taken? Think about the census we take in this country today. Why do we take a census? Is it due to legislation, or the fact that it takes so long to assess the numbers? Actually the U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, and takes place every 10 years. So G*d directed Moses to take the census, while they were in the wilderness, and no matter how long it took them, they listened to G*d.

Now don’t you think G*d would want you and I to take a “census” of our blessings often? You don’t know what you have until you take an accounting. And if we count our blessings, well it just may help us get to the end of each day, and the end of our most pressing concerns. Remember my friends, anything is possible with G*d.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:00 am on January 19, 2015  

Sent to Free Those Who are Oppressed – Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 19, 2015
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because G*d has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed…” Luke 4:18

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is often the same Sunday as the day we remember Martin Luther King Jr. Of course, Dr. King was a preacher, a pastor, and a civil rights activist. His was not an easy path. In January 1956 during the Montgomery bus boycott, he received a threatening phone call late in the evening. He couldn’t sleep. He was at a breaking point with exhaustion – he considered giving up. He spoke to G*d and says that he experienced the voice of the divine saying “Stand up for righteousness, stand up for truth. G*d will be at your side forever.”

We have had many prophetic voices in the course of human history, but few are considered capable of changing the path of humanity. In the text I listed above, Jesus was sitting in the temple and opened a scroll of the Hebrew bible. He found this passage from the prophet Isaiah (61:1-2) and read it aloud. The people listening were waiting for his teaching on this passage. Jesus said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled.” Jesus was announcing that He was the awaited Messiah who was prophesied to free the oppressed, and release those bound by disease. Whether you are a follower of Jesus or not, Jesus did change the course of human history and we believe today that He has come to forgive sins. His teachings, especially regarding love of neighbor and being a servant of all still form the lives of millions of people across this country.

Dr. King preached a similar message. In his “I have a dream” speech he said, “I have a dream that one day every valley will be exhalted, every hill and mountain will be made low, the rough places will be make a plain…and the glory of the Lord will be revealed. I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Where are we today in the march to equality, in the hope for righteousness for all, and in proclaiming our love for all people, no matter the color of their skin, the faith they proclaim, or the contents of their bank account? Take time today to listen to Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech; to read passages regarding Jesus’ love; and then take your petitions to G*d – and listen for G*d’s truth being spoken to you in how you can live into the love of Jesus Christ in service to everyone you encounter.

Pastor Dave