New Year’s Day – 2018: It was a good start to a new year here at Little Church. With a pretty dense fog hanging over Laguna, we met New Year’s morning on the Easter Sunrise knoll high above the city, where we presented ourselves and the church to the Lord for 2018. “Take us, O Lord, may we shine for You in the coming year.”
In the evening Chris and our worship team played and sang to the glory of God. Such a sweet sound. So much heart. Driving passion in the vocals, especially in “So Merciful.”
Prayed our beloved bass player Ryan as the night wound down: “We bless You with every ounce of our being. Take our worship, Lord. I pray it puts a smile on Your face.”
Psalm 100:1 – “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.”
Sunday Morning: The last day of 2017. The last Sunday and the last service of the year. I felt happy about the messages I shared and then ran across the following poem. After reading it I realized once again what is really important in the lives of those who speak.
SERMONS WE SEE
I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day
I’d rather one should walk with me, than merely show the way
The eye’s a better pupil, and more willing than an ear
Fine counsel can be confusing, but example’s always clear
And the best of all the preachers, are the men who live their creeds
For to see the good in action, is what everybody needs
I can soon learn how to do it, if you’ll let me see it done
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run
And the lectures you deliver, may be very wise and true
But I’d rather get my lesson, by observing what you do
For I may misunderstand you, and the high advice you give
But there’s no misunderstanding, how you act and how you live.
-by Edgar A Guest, written in 1926
Attached: Is just an extraordinary video. I have played it and replayed it over and over.
Psalm 100:2 – “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.”
I am not sure if Mary Hurlbut or Greg Sowle took this picture but it is such a great shot.
Psalm 100:3 – “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
A Thought for 2018: “Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny,” -from “Leaves of Gold”-
Psalm 100:4,5 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name; for the Lord is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness endures to all generations.”
May 2018 be a terrific year for all of you.
Pastor Jay