Off-The-Wall Advice

I’m certain you’ve all seen sayings posted on outdoor church signs.  All are meant to be clever; some are a bit humorous; most are trite, and have little to do with any Biblical truth.  I tend to ignore them.  That being said, I did find a group of sayings on a wall plaque in, of all places, a hair salon a few weeks ago, that I found to be not only truthful about life, but also worth reading periodically and sharing with others.  It’s literally “off-the-wall” advice, and although it had no title, it could easily have been called, “A Healthy Way for the Christian to Live.”  Here’s what it said:
 
This is your life.  Find a passion and pursue it.  Fall in love. 
Dream big.  Drink wine, eat good food and spend quality time with
good friends.  Laugh every day.  Believe in magic.  Tell stories. 
Reminisce about the good old days but look with optimism to the
future.  Travel often.  Learn more.  Be creative.  Spend time with
people you admire.  Seize opportunities when they reveal themselves. 
Love with all your heart.  Never give up.  Do what you love.  Be true
to who you are.  Make time to enjoy the simple things in life.  Spend
time with family.  Forgive even when it’s hard.  Smile often.  Be
grateful.  Be the change you wish to see in the world.  Follow your
dreams.  Try new things.  Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.  Work hard. 
Don’t count the minutes, count the laughs.  Embrace change. 
Trust in yourself.  Be thankful.  Be nice to everyone.  Be happy. 
Live for today.  And above all… make every moment count.
 
When I first read these words, my thoughts drifted to the words of Jesus in John 10:10.  “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”  Jesus isn’t talking about eternal life here, he’s talking about life as we live it in the here and now.  Jesus’ goal is to enable us to live life to its fullest.  How do we do that?  By becoming his faithful disciples:  learn his teachings; submit our lives to his authority; and follow him wherever he leads us.  Do that, and we will experience the abundant life—all that our Lord intends for us.  I can actually visualize a situation in which Jesus’ has been teaching his disciples, and Peter, or James, or John, perhaps ask him, “What shall we do?”  And Jesus, with a wry smile on his face, says the words on that wall plaque (or something similar). 
 
I wish I knew who this author was, because I’d love to say thank-you for these little pearls of wisdom.  Incorporating even just a handful of them into our daily routines could certainly help move us closer to the abundant living Jesus has in mind for us.  Imagine how much better life might become if we added two handsful or even more.  Yes, I’m sure that every one of us could add something to the list.  I’m also sure that the author didn’t mean for his list to be all-inclusive.  So maybe he meant to get us thinking about such ideas so that we’d finish the list for ourselves.  Whatever the case may be, I think both the author and Jesus would agree that we all need to lead better lives.  Both seem to be saying, “Life is precious; don’t waste it!” 
                                                                                         ~ Pastor Jeff

Thank You, Team Benton Harbor!

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Our High School Mission Team represented St. John's very well in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  We say "Thank You!" to them for doing God's Work with their Hands!

Please Note...

The Conflict Resolution Workshop has been canceled due to low registration.

Help Yourself...

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Our quilting ladies have been working on “Walker Bags” for residents of area nursing homes.  They are also making them available to members of our congregation.  You will find a basket full of these colorful and handy fabric bags in the Narthex.  Please feel free to take one for yourself or someone you know.