Pastor’s Pen

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Priorities for a New Season

I just love the fall season.  Who misses the scorching heat and humidity of summer?  Sweater weather suits me fine!  Bring on the World Series, Friday Night Lights, college football, and beautiful evening sunsets!

Fall is also the season of harvest.  Time to gather in the latter crops and to set aside provisions for the winter.  Fall is a wonderful season for a spiritual harvest.  We have just kicked off our new church ministry season.  Regardless of age, from the nursery to ninety year olds, everyone should seek to get connected with God’s people and God’s work.

It’s the big rock principle.  If you are trying to fit big rocks, small rocks, pebbles, and sand into a jar, you don’t start with the little stuff first.  If you put in the sand, pebbles, and small rocks, the big rocks WILL NOT FIT!  But if the big rocks go in first, all the rest of the materials will settle into the spaces and cavities to fill the vessel.

Fall is a new season where we put the BIG ROCKS in first.  Having a devotional time with God every day is a BIG ROCK.  Reading the Word and prayer should be a priority for fall.  Being faithful to church is also a BIG ROCK.  Someone recently said to me, “Church is just a habit.”  I hope so!  The reason why folks don’t have time for church is that there is too much filler stuff in the jar.  Big things go in first!  Finding a way to serve God is a BIG ROCK.  Landmark has so many ministry opportunities on a weekly basis.  Worship and work are different sides of the same coin.  Make serving the Lord a fall priority. 

October is Mission Emphasis Month at Landmark.  During the month special attention is given to our Lord’s command, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Through our missions program , we are privileged to help fund the spread of the gospel throughout the world. 

It is amazing how much you can fit into your life with the right priorities!  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Again, this fall get connected to God’s people and God’s work.  BIG ROCKS go in first!