Finding Truth in the Stillness
There is something to be said about being still. I know people who never look back, guns blazing while charging ahead as if something is in hot pursuit of them. I know these people, I was their leader! “Never look back” should have been tattooed somewhere on my person to warn people to stay out of my way lest they get caught in my wake. I told people that it was my personality to just blaze ahead in life and I convinced myself that I was a lover of change, new direction, and conquest. Sure God calls people to lie down beside still waters but it was because they were weak and I was obviously stronger. The truth is that I have been running for the majority of my life, not toward anything but from something. I wasn't the hero conqueror forging out new paths in life that I told myself I was. Until of late I have been a scared boy running as fast as my legs could carry me, darting this way and that like a game of dodge ball where the past threw the balls and I lived to dodge them. What was I running from? Truth, the reality of my life, the world, and the poorly reflected God of my childhood and youth. Stillness and rest didn't have a place in my life because I didn't want to see how far I was from the man God created me to be. I didn't want to see how far off the path my zigs and zags had taken me and I didn't want to admit the truth of the pain I had caused others and they had caused me. As long as I kept up my speed I could usually distract myself from these realities and continue on in a blind race to nowhere. God was right when he said to “Be still and know that I am God” in Psalm 46 and that as a shepherd He would “make me to lie down” for rest in Psalm 23. When we become still we usually find that the chaos surrounding us becomes still as well because we were the ones creating it. Something for us to understand about Psalm 46 is that stillness takes time. Like a child trying to see their reflection in the pool it will not be clear until they have been still long enough for the water to work out all the waves and ripples. But when that stillness pays off and the chaos around us ceases we will be able to see and feel with clarity. It is in that moment that we can see God as He truly is because our hearts are stilled from the things that cloud and disfigure His true image. It is in stillness and clarity that we can take a look around and feel our pain, joy, hopes, and faith for what they really are. It is in the stillness that God shows me what the devil's lies are about myself and others and it is in this stillness that He reveals His plan for me whether by lamp light, the sunrise at the dawn, or sometimes just by the call of His voice as He beckons me forward. I ran from stillness for so long because I knew what I would find, hurt, pain, shame, and hard questions. And I did find those things but what I didn't realize I would find was a Gentle Shepherd holding me in His arms telling me I was His beloved, His grace for me was enough, and that He would never let me go. When was the last time you were still long enough for things to be calm? If it has been a while, you need to ask yourself why? I encourage you in this New Year to take time to be still, know your Shepherd. -Pastor Nathan
A New Year’s Benediction“Grant us, O Lord: • The hope to envision new dreams; • The strength to rise above our limitations, our fears and whatever holds us down; • The courage to stand on our own, to stretch our imagination and to experience being fully human, fully alive; • The faith to live our lives in your image and likeness. Guide us, O Lord, this New Year, every way, every day. Amen.” -Fr. Brian Cavanaugh Steubenville, OH
Remember In Prayer~Robin Willits’ mother, Phyllis Luckinbill, hospitalized after a stroke ~Former attenders, Shane Ersland, Ann & Bruce Ersland and family following the death of Shane’s 10-year-old son, Hunter, who died in a car accident December 26 near Marshalltown. ~Several in our congregation recovering from recent surgery, Don Macy, Will Macy, and Paula Young ~Fern & Wayne Tuttle ~Ted Robison on the list for a new kidney ~College students returning to campus ~All of our snowbirds ~Our FUM mission workers along with Victor & Brenda White at the Mesquakie Friends Center, Morgan Martin with InterVarsity, Nathan & Brianna Martin in Cambodia ~Our secret Prayer Partners
Wednesday Night Program New Wednesday Night Classes/studies begin on January 12th at 7 p.m. Classes include the following: -Grades K-5th - Moose Mountain curriculum -Sr. High Youth, meet on Wed. & 4th Sunday -Adult Bible Study, The Names of God -Adult Book Study continues with Small Changes for a Better Life -Women’s Book Study, All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans Everyone is welcome to join us as we meet on Wednesday nights at the church for fellowship and spiritual growth. We share a meal at 6:15 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday nights and usually have a service project scheduled for the 4th. A nursery is available for preschoolers. For more details contact Pastor Nathan or a member of Christian Ed.
Children’s Church We’ll meet in the fellowship hall after the children’s message on January 2 and 23. Lessons will encourage the children to build Godly character. Our service projects will be to emphasize giving to the food box and to give appreciation gifts to HOC supply closet volunteers. Kids age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate.
Bangor USFWThe January meeting will be held at 1:30 on Jan. 18th at Ann Nichols’ home. Peggy Martin will provide refreshments and Shirley Landt the lesson. All ladies are welcome.
Cleaning Out! We have 3 BLFC t-shirts available in the church office. They have the BLFC logos on the front and back and are all short sleeved. -Medium adult, heather gray -Large adult polo, buttercup yellow -3X Large adult polo, light gray If you would like a t-shirt for yourself or for a gift, contact Diane in the church office Thursday or Friday mornings.
Specials & Blessings Contact Kay Feltz to share a special blessing during January, or if you know of someone who might share.
Iowa Friend SubscriptionsIt’s time to renew or start a new subscription to the Iowa Friend, the monthly newsletter from Iowa Yearly Meeting. Group renewals are $9.50 per family. See Diane to renew or start a subscription by January 23rd.
White Gift Offering $650 was given for the White Gift Offering on Christmas Eve. It was divided between Morgan Martin, working with InterVarsity at Coe College, and the Mesquakie Friends Center at Tama. Thanks to all who gave to these mission works.
December HOC Meal Report On December 30, 16 people provided a generous meal for 45 guests. Our menu was vegetable beef soup, biscuits, fruit cup, cheese slices, various leftover desserts, and drinks. Thanks to our many volunteers who provided funds or food, helped prepare, serve, or cleaned up. A man volunteered to say the blessing and gave a beautiful prayer that surely came straight from his heart. Everyone seemed to enjoy visiting at the tables and several gave their thanks as they left. Our next meal will be January 27. -Margaret Good
Mission PrayersOur mission workers need our prayers as they share God’s love around our world. Prayer is the most important support we can give. During January the bulletin board will display mittens with prayer needs for specific workers. You may take one or more home and use them as reminders to pray daily through the month of January. Then in February we’ll send Valentine greetings. Some prayer examples are below.
Library Ledge: Fireside Fiction After the busy holidays it’s time to relax with a good book of fiction. Curl up in a comfy chair this month and enjoy a novel from our church library. You’ll find books set in the past and in the future, in America and in other countries. We have those of special interest to women, men and teens. New: “Hanna’s Daughter” and “A Gift of Grace”. Check out the library ledge for more. These books and books-on-tape will bring you laughs but also challenge you to grow in your Christian walk.
Christmas Adopt-A-Family ReportFourteen families/individuals provided gifts, funds or food for our shared church family. A dad, mom, and their three daughters were given several gifts, homemade goodies and a nice food basket. They were very appreciative of our gifts and hugged us while expressing their thanks. (A photo will be on the bulletin board soon.) BLFC also provided $60 for a HOC volunteer to go shopping with a single women so she can pick out her own gifts. The members of Liberty USFW adopted a single mom with a young son. The Youth Group adopted a mom and her teenage son. Four other family units joined together to adopt two young moms and their preschool age children. 175 family units were adopted at the House of Compassion this year. They represent 698 individuals. While this is an increase from last year, sadly 151 families were not adopted. Thanks for helping to spread the love of Christ this Christmas.
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