March 14, 2012

Dear Family of faith,
This past week a man asked me, "Will you teach me to pray?" He was a retired man who had been in various churches in his life, a good man who needed some help in his life with God. I felt privileged and affirmed that he asked me. The disciples asked Jesus that very same question one day, and the Lord taught them what we now know as the Lord's Prayer. What struck me most about the man's request, however, was his humble heart. It takes a lot of humility to admit, after as many years as he has lived, that you don't really know how to communicate with God. But what he may have seen as a weakness, I saw as strength; for out of that kind of humble heart comes a true relationship with God. Lent is a time when we can dare to be real, a time to see ourselves for who we are and to come to God with all that we are. Some day in the future I hope to have a "class" on how to pray. In the meanwhile, for those who feel inadequate about speaking to God, I share this simple advice: Talk to God like you would talk to you best friend. You will be surprised how it changes life.

I heard on the news this week that Hernando County is the one county in all of our area of Florida where the unemployment rate went up instead of down this past month. Times are hard for a lot of people. If you know someone personally who can use help, do what you can to support them. In ancient biblical times you were taught always to help those in need because you never knew when you might be that person in need. It's what it means to offer extravagant hospitality!
A closing thought: Sometimes we have a right to be angry, but we never have the right to be cruel or demeaning. Pray for those who hurt you.
You are wonderful people, and I delight in every day that I am your pastor.
With affection,
Pastor Carlan

March 7, 2012

Dear Family of faith,
Often people have asked me whether I believe that miracles still happen. I do; and this past week I experienced yet another one. It was Sunday evening when I left Charles and Joann Sheffield at the Hospice Care Center. Charles had been unconscious all day and breathing very heavy and labored. After praying, I left for home, not expecting that he would survive the night. Five minutes later, he "woke up" and began talking and remembering everything that had happened to him in the past weeks. The next day he was receiving visitors, eating, and breathing much more easily. It was one of those God-moments, a reminder that just when we are about to give up, everything changes and hope is born again. Today Joann and Charles are talking about going home. Whatever challenges and obstacles to life you face right now, remember, what is impossible for mortals is always possible for God. God is the Lord of the impossible.