We have made it through… through the April showers, taking a moment or two to smell the flowers of May.  Now June is suddenly upon us.  Things are heating up… Places are opening up (Hallelujah!)… Choices now abound… a constant parade of choices!

Remember that God’s mercies are new every morning. As you consider the many decisions that are facing you, be mindful of where your trust lies – what is the Source of your trust?

The prophet Jeremiah, speaking God’s word to the Israelites as they were coming out of exile, gave the following encouragement,

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

• Jeremiah 17:7–8 (ESV):

Trust in the Lord and the outcomes are guaranteed.

Trusting in your abilities and knowledge and insight? Sure. But do not rely solely on those.  This does not mean you do not apply yourself or consider the learnings from the past – what worked and what did not…

You do all of that.  But you do it planted beside the stream of Living Water – planted in God as the Source.

Trusting in the Creator who made you to make decisions. Whose Son redeems you. Whose Spirit enables you to make wise choices.  Pray for that wisdom.  Seek His will. Let Him guide you.
​
Live – planted in the Source of all true prosperity.  With that water, bear fruit year after year…
 
Peace and Joy in Christ,
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

With this month of May, so many things are coming along in the schedule and it may seem that we are always busy. Mother’s Day, Confirmations, Pentecost & Trinity Sundays, Graduations, and of course, the Memorial Day weekend are all on our lists of events we need to attend to (especially, your pastor hopes, those Sunday things).

Let’s take a moment during our “busyness” to just stop, breathe, and thank God for the gifts we have received, as well as the opportunities for celebration.

The Bible Says Busyness Causes Doubt and Disconnection from God

Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” If you are not still, you will not know that God is God. And if you do not know God is truly the Sovereign God who reigns over all, then you will not be still. When these things happen, doubt and disconnection always appear.

In Mark 4:18-19 Jesus explains, “And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” When life’s issues get so big in your head, there is no room left for God. The cares of this world literally “choke the word” in your life. Worldly busyness disconnects us from the one true God.

Our relationship with God is living and breathing. It needs the space to take in oxygen, to receive, to give . . . it needs time and room to prosper and to grow.

Therefore, may we put to practice what the Bible says about busyness: that being still before the Lord will cause us to know that God is God; and actively believing God is God will give us the ability to be still.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6.
​
May God bless you with Trust and Stillness,
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann