A NEW START!

Two United Methodist pastors heard that one of the specialties of the area was ice fishing, so they decided to try it. They went to the sporting goods store and bought all the necessary equipment.

They went out the next morning, found some ice, pitched a tent, and started cutting a hole in the ice. Just as they got into the spirit of the thing, a loud, awesome voice from above proclaimed, "There's no fish under the ice."

Well, that stopped them for a minute, and they looked quizzically at each other. But then, too embarrassed to acknowledge hearing the voice, they returned to cutting the ice. Just as they got going again, they heard the voice once more say, "There is no fish under the ice."

Still embarrassed, they once again started sawing when the voice came a third time only booming, "There is no fish under the ice!"

Finally, one of them could stand it no longer, stood up, and cried out, "Is that you, Lord?"

The voice boomed out again, "No! This is the manager of the ice rink!"

As we return to the routine of this Fall season, our world is filled with those who seek to predict the coming events of 2013. Some see a bright future while others see struggle and calamity throughout the world. Some see the world economy moving forward and others see a greater recession on the horizon. And still some will proclaim the end of the world as tensions continue to grow in the Middle East. Whatever your concerns may be, I'm sure you join me in looking to this Fall with some anxiety.

In Isaiah 43 we find these words: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now there are those who believe that this passage is still another prediction of the future, but I would suggest to you that these words are an invitation. You see, God offers us a new start whenever we surrender our lives to God's purpose and will. And who couldn't use a new start?

The Good News for us as Christians this Fall season is that God is offering us a new start. Grace says all is forgiven and… you are not forgotten! Grace says,"My Son died for you!" Grace says' "You matter and what you do matters!" I invite you to join me as we again assume our routines of returning to school and saying good bye to the summer; join me as we again look to the One who gives us purpose and meaning to our lives; join me as we discover “A Life that Matters!”

                                                                     Together in Christ,
                                                                      Pastor Jay