SEASONS OF CELEBRATION...

 Last week I acknowledged the incredibleness of Mothers.  This week I want to Celebrate the Mother of our Children...Patti.  Most of you know that today is her birthday, and a pretty big one at that.  This has been a busy week but one full of surprises.  I was able to fly our son home from California, allowing her to have all of her children here to celebrate this milestone birthday.  Many of you joined us this afternoon at our house as we continued the Celebration.  Thank you to those who were able to come.  It was a messy, gloomy day, but it cleared up in the end.  And during the party Patti's sister and her younger brother joined us as well.  It has been a fun day, full of surprises.  (She shared with me, the only "give away" was that I was cleaning my office.  That should tell you something!)

Celebrations are important in life.  Our Jewish friends do it right with the seven festivals, plus Hanukkah every year.  When a child "comes of age" at 13 there is the bar mitzvah for the young men and a bat mitzvah for the young ladies.  These celebrations mark the time when the child becomes a Jewish adult.  After the serious ceremony, there is a huge, fun celebration.  The Scriptures are full of Celebrations.  In Nehemiah 12, the Israelistes have a huge celebration when dedicating the wall.  Jesus, while sharing the parables of the "Lost Sheep" and the "Lost Coin", and leading up to the "Lost Son" tell us that when one comes to know the Lord personally, the angels rejoice.  Jesus said, "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Luke 15:10   And all of these Celebrations include great joy!  Celebration is a spiritual disciple that God desires for us to practice and to include Him.  As Christians, we should be the most excited, joyful, celebrating folks around.  John 10:10b reminds us that " Jesus came to allow us to experience life and to experience to its fullest.  This fullness of life, or life abundantly, includes Celebration.  So, I challenge us all to Celebrate and to Celebrate Big!

Please join us Sunday as we continue our study of the Fruits of the Spirit.  This week we will look at the Gift of "Patience".  And then you are invited to join us for a delicious Potluck luncheon.

I hope I see you there.  And remember...

You ARE Loved!   

Pastor Lonnie