Xtreme Life 4 Jesus Christ!
FromPastor’s Desk
I have several translations of the bible in my study. One of those is The Message, by Eugene Peterson. I read it sometimes to get a fresh perspective. Sometimes I'll use it on Sunday mornings in hopes of helping you to see old truths from a new perspective. I think that's important - old truths - new perspectives… One thing I like about The Message is Eugene Peterson's commentaries at the beginning of each biblical book. For instance, at the beginning of Habbabuk (Habbakuk is one of those obscure Old Testament prophets), Peterson writes, "Living by faith is a bewildering venture. We rarely know what's coming next…" He goes on to say, "It is natural to assume that since I am God's chosen and beloved," (you do know you are God's chosen and beloved, don't you?) "I will get favorable treatment from the God who favors me so extravagantly…exempt from the dead ends, muddy detours, and cruel treatment from the travelers I meet daily who are walking the other direction." That's where Habbakuk found himself back in the 7th century B.C.. God used a godless people to get a godly people's attention and Habbakuk didn't understand. It didn't make sense, and Habbakuk told God so. But, even more important; Habbakuk waited for God to answer and listened when God spoke. Eugene Peterson writes, "Habbakuk started out exactly where we start out with our puzzled complaints and God-accusations, but he didn't stay there. He ended up in a world, along with us, where every detail of our lives of love for God Is worked into something good." Habbakuk writes in chapter 2, verse 1, "What's God going to say to my question? I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God says, how he'll answer my complaint." More of the story next month…. XL4JC! Pastor Steve
XL4JC!
Pastor Steve
