God's Grace at Every Turn

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 4:15)

As I look back at 2010, I see quite a few more curves in the road than I expected.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, there have been incredible blessings and outstanding outcomes; but there have also been some ugly challenges.  Some of us have lost jobs and seen our resources become scarce.  Illness has attacked some, and others have been hurt by people, misunderstood, or judged unfairly.  Still others have suffered losses; from the departure of a trusted friend, to the death of a spouse or parent.

I’ve personally had a few of those things happen in my life this year; and as much as that road is difficult to travel, I can also tell you that God’s grace has been at every turn.  I don’t ever doubt that He’s there, and I’ve been amazed and encouraged to find that He blesses through challenges, He guides through trials and, He provides through loss.

I’d love to tell you some of the specifics of how friends and family and His Spirit have done that, but it’s probably better in person than here on the blog - so join us over these next Sunday mornings and I’ll tell you more.  As we begin a new year, be assured that there will be more curves, but God’s grace will be at every turn!  

Pastor Brent 

Lord of Every Season

Have you noticed how perfectly the calendar has coordinated with the weather this year?

We had the most beautiful summer most of us can remember in Ohio. The skies were blue and the clouds formed pictures for us almost every day. Fall arrived on the day the calendar announced it, as the weather began to turn cold. There were still beautiful days, and the leaves fell with time for us to rake and blow them to the appropriate places. This week, snow began to fall on December 1st, and it’s beginning to feel like Christmas. I love the sights and sounds of this time of year. I’ve been streaming “classical Christmas” on my computer and enjoying the nostalgia of each song that is being played.

As “perfect” as this season has been, it fades in comparison to the reality of the meaning of Jesus Christ’s coming into our world. Paul write in Galatians 4:4, “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” That’s perfect timing! That’s a perfect plan- and I pray that whatever we experience this month, we’ll appreciate what Jesus has done for us, in each and every season.

Brent

Fruit of the Spirit Video Series

Our entire Fruit of the Spirit video series is now available via the Old North YouTube channel.  Thanks to all those who participated in the series and Eric Harper, our outstanding video producer.

Enjoy!