Tag Archives: Courage

The ability to believe and trust in our faith when doubt is asailing us.

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 9, 2016
Tags: Courage, , ,   

Not a New Beginning, But a New Ending — Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 9, 2016

I recently saw this quote, “No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” (Unknown). I want you to remind yourself of this quote often as you continue reading G-d’s word. The upshot of the quote is this: we don’t start over; but we begin again right where we are, toward the ending Jesus has already worked out for us.

As a believer in Christ, it is not about saying I will do this and I won’t do that and then dropping the idea or falling short, for that is a “response/consequence” relationship that Jesus does not want. In other words, believing that “If I do this or don’t do that” Jesus will love me more, is the wrong kind of relationship that G-d wants with each one of us. It is more about asking the Lord to help us each and every day knowing that G-d’s love for us was demonstrated in the death of G-d’s Son, Jesus, and that kind of love is never earned. Because there is nothing we can do to have G-d love us more, if we accept that G-d loves us already, then our focus will be set on the things of heaven and not on all this earthly stuff.

If I were to make a New Year resolution, it would be to have a deeper commitment to praying and reading G-d’s word. This idea of focusing on the Word of G-d truly has been set in front of me this new year, I can only assume by G-d, and you have joined me in this journey in 2016. I believe the current times and trends in this world requires our undivided attention on G-d’s Word and the truth behind it so we can deal with the trials and tribulations that lie waiting around the corner.

How you will end this year will be determined by how you started it. Did you want to get deeper into understanding G-d’s word and G-d’s intent for your lives? Do you want a new ending this year? How do you want the ending of your life? If you’re not a Christian, please know that this could be the best New Year of your life. Your life can be filled with hope and peace. To know what the ending will be is an extra bonus, because Jesus has already worked out our individual ending. Why should every year be the same as the one before with nothing really changing?   If you are a Christian and you feel stagnate in your relationship with the Lord, then now is the time to rekindle that relationship – beginning with Word and Prayer. The real ending in our life will be when Jesus says well done my good and faithful servant. Wouldn’t it be nice for each one of us to know where Jesus said that and the love and intent behind what he meant?

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 2, 2016
Tags: Bible Study, Courage   

Deep Into the Pit — Rev. David J. Schreffler

                                     January 2, 2016

“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, 13 and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.”

“Very well,” he replied. So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.When Joseph arrived at Shechem, a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?” He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animaldevoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.” Genesis 37:5-22

Joseph was a dreamer and a bit of a know-it-all. He also was just a little clueless. His bragging (we can at least agree that he was unaware of the impact of his sharing his dreams with his brothers) drew the ire of his brothers, and the consternation of his parents. The more he shared the angrier they became, until finally his brothers had enough. They threw him in a pit and plotted how to get rid of him. This is how we can feel when we finally decide to change our lives – from deciding our own path to allowing G-d to lead and to guide us. If you have accepted my challenge to live into your baptismal identity this New Year and to begin reading the bible, you may find that your reading and your understanding begins to lay a claim on your life – especially on how you spend your time. Your friends and family may see the change and think “He thinks he is better than us” – or “She doesn’t have time for us anymore.” They may even decide to toss you into a virtual pit – saying you are wasting your time. Remember, every change we make in our lives has the chance to bring joy and trouble, jubilation and pain, happiness and sorrow.

Recently my wife and I began a workout program at home. The first workout throws you right into a “full cardio” workout. Needless to say, it really kicked my butt. I could hardly walk for three days, and I am someone who runs three to four times a week. I hurt everywhere. It was very discouraging. My wife and I were both hurting physically. But, we encouraged each other to keep going – we lifted each other out of the pit of hurt, and each day we grew stronger and hurt less and less. There is always strength in numbers. If you can, find a partner to walk with you in your decision to read the bible and work together. Better yet, find a bible study group to join. I know, you think you need to have some requisite amount of knowledge, or you think you do not know enough to join a bible study group, and your lack of knowledge will make you look and feel dumb. Listen to me – everyone has questions, and we all learn something new in bible study – even pastors.

Pastor Dave