I Heard the Bells

Sights and smells can trigger memories. When I took a part time job at Hy-Vee this past fall, I immediately went back in time when I walked into the back stock room. The smell reminded me of another super-market job when I was in high school. It was one of my favorite jobs so it was a good memory. It was a time of dreams and goals. I was finishing high school and about to enter college to pursue my dream of being a pastor. I worked hard and saved money for school. I was young, excited and full of hope.

Sights and smells. The smell of fresh fallen leaves, the sight of a tree standing tall in the woods; praise God for sights and smells!

And then there are sounds that do the same. I recently took a full time job working with youth who are at risk. At the center where I work I saw a library book lying on a table in the main office. You know, the ones covered with wrap so little fingers don’t get them smudgy. I opened the book and the crinkling noise whisked me back to a time when the teacher opened such a book and read to me. I don’t know what it was but it was a pleasant sound and a sweet memory. One of being safe and learning things that would take me into a world of exploring my dreams! The power of a teacher is amazing.

I still think about my world of being a pastor. I have been one for over 22 years. Right now I don’t have a church and I miss things about that very much. But for now I am content to wait and see what God has planned for me. I don’t think He is finished with me yet. I knew that when the other day I was going into the Bowden Youth Center and I heard some church bells ring. It was as if the bells were calling me to something that I could not explain. I longed to be in a church at that precise moment. As I walked into work I began to wonder if for now this was my church. Perhaps the bells were calling me to make a difference in the lives of young people and to give them hope.

Perhaps one day they will see or smell or hear something that will remind them of the encouragement they received to pursue the dreams anyone can achieve if given the chance.

I look forward to hearing the bells ring again.

In Christ,
Pastor John

Mysteries

1Cor 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I’ve always enjoyed watching and reading mysteries. Why is it then that the mysteries of God’s ways sometimes annoy me? Probably because I’m a sinful human. No doubt because I’m impatient. A mystery movie will be over in a couple of hours. A mystery book in a few days. But the mysteries that my life is made up of can take years to unfold. Feel that way too?

Picture a foggy morning. Hard to drive in isn’t? In the above verse Paul is telling us that life is sometimes like that fog. Now we see dimly, now we know in part. You can’t know the whole thing if Scripture tells us we only know in part! Life is like driving in a fog at times but God has promised someday that the weather will break and the sun will shine. We will see Jesus face to face and all will become clear. The mysteries of this life solved!!!

I'm learning to make peace with the fact that I don’t have the answers for everything. As a Pastor I stand in awe along with you as we experience the mysteries of God’s ways. (Pastors don't know it all!) Some things are just plain beyond my understanding too. I am not always sure what He is doing in my life or yours but one thing is for sure...God is good and He loves you! Trust Him and get excited about seeing how the mystery will turn out!

In Christ,
Pastor John