Dearly Beloved,

The world of sports often produces some of the best story lines and human interest stories.  Over the past week many were glued to the two stories of cheating, hoaxes, and general confusion about what is real and what is fake.  First, we found out that Manti Te’o’s story of burying his girlfriend and grandmother on the same day was a hoax.  Then, Lance Armstrong finally admitted that he was using performance enhancing drugs and that he did not legitimately win his seven Tour titles.  While these may seem like trivial matters it reinforces the idea that is so prevalent in our society.  If I can’t see it for myself how can I believe that it is true?

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (1 Peter 1:16)

The apostles in teaching the early church found it necessary to address the idea of, “what is real?”  Although they were not far removed from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ believers were already beginning to question the origin of the gospel that was being preached.  Thus Peter writing here tells the church that what they believed was not from well written fables but was the truth according to their own eyewitness accounts.

For us today, two thousand years removed from the life of Christ, it is vitally important that we not slip into thinking that the things of God are like the things of this life.  The truth of the scripture stands sure as a strong foundation for the believer in God.

While the direct actions of God are not always visible normally the effects of those actions are.  If we take the time and look around we are likely to see amazing blessings on each side of us.  However, even if those blessings seem to be lacking in your life at the moment consider this thought —

You are like a prisoner of the worst sort in this life.  You have committed crimes that make you not fit to be around the rest of society and deserve to be locked up in the worst confinement possible.  However, while all of that is true you have a father that loves you so much he comes to visit you each day in your prison.  He spends time with you and loves you.  He brings you his peace and makes you have hope for tomorrow.  You have a father that loves you with a truly unconditional love —

If the only blessing we have each day is the knowledge of Jesus Christ in our lives then that is far more than we deserve.  Let us spend each day not sinking into believing that our faith maybe in vain and this is all just an elaborate fable.  Rather, let us hold onto the fact that while the world around us is filled with confusion the grace of our Lord is very real.  Let our service be founded in that love and grace with a hope for tomorrow.

From the Desk of the Pastor,

May the Lord Bless you is our prayer — Elder J.W. Cunningham