March 2009

“It Was A Dark and Stormy Night....”

Dear Congregation,

The phrase, "It was a dark and stormy night..." was the starting point for the great and extremely dramatic writer, Snoopy... As I write this month I want to begin in a similar way; "It was a long , long, cold, snowy winter..." I was kidding with a few folks at the community center this week when I apologized for the long winter. I shared that I had told God last year that I was tired of wimpy winters and if we didn't get our Minnesota winters back in central Minnesota, we would have to move north or south to the snow. Now I can say," Too much winter, it's time for spring." But in spite of the long winter, it is this time of year that I love so much because it is filled with hope. Every few days we now get a warm, melty day that gives us a taste of what is to come.

It is this outward seasonal message of hope that reminds us of an even greater inward truth of this season. As we walk this Lenten season, the message of hope permeates the air. The hope of forgiveness, the hope of salvation, the hope of the cross, the hope of the resurrection, all made a reality in Jesus Christ. We can live each day looking forward to the hope in Jesus Christ.

The message of hope is what many people need. Their life is in the middle of what seems a never ending problem without a way out. They are not sure how they will make it. In the Old Testament, Jeremiah in Lamentations 3 puts words to a long, long cold, snowy winter... ;

"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I remember them and my soul is downcast within me."

But then, in a sense he sees the snow beginning to melt, and remembers that God is with him.

"Yet this I call to mid and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail, They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

The message of Jesus in Matthew 11 is also warm, true and full of hope.

"Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

As I look out my window today, the snow is melting off the roof. Spring is coming.

My prayer for you is that you come see the total thaw in your life, because of the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. Give him your whole life and follow his teachings. Let Jesus direct your life.

--Pastor Craig