Tonight's blog for April 24, 2013

Tonight is a good time to remind you about the events of the weekend that starts in just a few hours. Since

Wednesday is the middle of the week, each moment after midnight is moving us forward to our weekend. Most people in most jobs see weekend from the perspective of T.G.I.F. (Thank GOD It's Friday). Us church folks share that since each Sunday is a chance to get together with people we love. Most of the days leading up to weekend are filled with activities, prayers, and anticipation so we can receive the best reward for our time. This weekend is special for us at MCC because we are filling our schedules, offering our prayers and anticipating a real blessing from our time together for worship and study and fellowship.

This weekend will be sweeter because we will officially say "Thank You, GOD" for the life of our dear sister, Diane Brown. What an impact she had on our fellowship, with her presence radiating love and acceptance. I am glad she was willing to love through her pain. She shared the light of Jesus with every person who  came in to worship. It is so fitting for us to remember her at this time because we really do live in dark times. You might have a hard time finding someone who you could say was always filled to overflowing with love and you, but Diane was. You might find it hard to find someone who was so willing to show her light to others, but she did this as well. 

We recently started our study through 1 John. The simple love of John's letter is never more apparent than when he reminds us in 1 John 2:9 that, "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the

darkness. " Most of us don't even want to admit it, but that darkness of hate can creep into the most loving
people, even in the lives of those of us who are intentionally living our lives for Christ!  If we allow the darkness to grow, unchecked, it can slowly start to cause the hate to win. Stop for a moment with me, please check your heart! Is there any darkness of hate there? Get rid if it! Pray this prayer with me, "Never so with your saints, LORD!"

What test can we use to see if we are walking in the Light? If you stand up right now, and take a few steps, there is an easy test. What is the test? Close your eyes. Take a few steps. Oh, I didn't mean physical steps. We start with our choices. Our choices then can permeate our thoughts. Finally, our thoughts can lead to actions! John meant for us to walk in the light, with our brothers and sisters in Christ. That is how John 2: 10 defines this life, "Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble." When we have made good choices, and have opened our thoughts to the light of Christ, then we can walk together. That walk is strong, and bold and loving. 

Remember how this study of 1 John started? We all are weighed down by heavy backpacks, of sin, of fear, of aloneness. Tonight I am praying for you that you won't have to add a "brick" to your backpack of the darkness of hate. Will you let the light of Jesus come in tonight and give HIM a chance to shine through your life? I am and I will… GOD Bless your Saints! big marv