June 15, 2011 - Pastor Carlan's Blog

Dear Family of Faith,
Last Sunday was awesome! The attendance was superb for summertime (176), the special music of the choir and bell choir was moving, the banners and flowers were beautiful, the communion was renewing, but it was the release of the dove that was the most powerful of all. When it flew out of its cage so gracefully and perfect, I was stunned by the message of freedom it carried with it-- the Holy Spirit is at large in the world!God is loose in this place, never to be confined. There is so much potential in us because of God's abiding Spirit-- potential to change the world for good. Thanks to all the musicians and those who gave the red begonias and especially to Kathy Hackemer who arranged for the dove. It was a day I will always remember.
Sometimes when I'm doing nothing or something of little consequence, God's Spirit gives me a great thought about life or a sermon theme or a word to share with others. Many times these best thoughts of God end up sliding into the great oblivion of forgetfulness. It is so frustrating! I have learned to counteract that loss by keeping a pad and pen by my bed, in my car, and at my desk. Yet I wonder why it is that such powerful inspirational moments seem so fleeting-- as if there is but a moment's chance to fasten on to truth before it evaporates forever. Could it be that such times of communion with the eternal are much more common than we realize-- that those instances of recognition of God's favor and inspiration are just a fraction of the times God speaks to us? Maybe we are so focused on worldly things that we miss the eternal in our midst. Maybe we work too much and meditate too little, calculate too much and contemplate too little. Maybe we are too fixated with life's duties that we don't take time to daydream the thoughts of God. This summer I encourage you to take time out for God-- go fishing on a quiet lake, sit in the hammock without a book, sun on the beach with nothing to do but listen to the waves, or even just stare into space while sitting at your kitchen table. No doubt you will sense the presence of God. Just have your notebook ready!
When I first came to Spring Hill, I kept my Pastoral Prayers to a two-page limit-- two hand-written pages of thoughts and petitions to offer to God on all our behalf. Lately, though, there is never enough room on those two sheets for all the needs of the congregation and our world. I'm spilling over into the margins every Sunday! So many people who are dear to us are going through rough times. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. If you feel like that, don't give up praying. You don't have to pray for everybody every moment of the day. When someone comes to mind who needs your prayers, just lift that person to God right then wherever you are. Then you can go on with your life. That's what it means to me to "pray continually" as the Apostle Paul admonishes. It's never a burden, but a joy to bring people to God, for God is the Source of all our blessings.
With affection,
Pastor Carlan