March 14, 2016
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:16-19)

The Lord says, “I am doing a new thing”. This has been the most remarkable thing about our G-d throughout history – G-d has always looked to do the “new” and the “unexpected”. G-d used the flood to wash away the old, and give Noah and his family to do something new. G-d used slavery for the Israelites to achieve freedom. G-d called murderers (like Moses) and adulterers (like David) and double-crossers (like Joseph’s brothers) to be leaders and models for our living today. G-d allowed the Temple to be destroyed and the people to be taken into captivity so that they could return and make things new.
My question for you to ponder today is this: why do we try to hold on to the old so much that we squeeze the living life out of it? This has been the battle within the church for a millennia. We don’t want thing to change, yet the mantra that G-d told the people from the beginning was that the new would be a part of their relationship with G-d.

All along the way of our worship experience, there have been changes — some very subtle, and others rather jarring. And today many want to keep what they do in worship the same — and will go to their deathbeds trying to hold onto the old and stop the possibility of any and all new things. Just like hair styles have changed, so has our responses to G-d’s love, mercy and Grace. CR’s advice — you better get used to change, and better get used to G-d doing a new thing in your life and the life of the church — or there will be plenty of reasons to call us the “frozen chosen”.

Pastor Dave