Scott's Thoughts

 

Grace Presbyterian Church

E-mail bulletin

December 29, 2004

 

Dear Members and Friends of Grace,

 

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12)

 

The passing of another year is a reminder of the short time we have to live in this world. The other day I overheard the parents of several grown children expressing their amazement at how quickly the years had gone by. As I looked at our two young daughters, it seemed implausible that their childhood days would race by so quickly that one day I would make a similar comment. But, when we look back at the past years of our lives, time always seems to have gone by quickly.

 

One of the prayers of the Psalmists is that God would make known to them the brevity of their lives. David prays in Psalm 39, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” And Moses asks the Lord in Psalm 90 to “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom”. In these prayers, David and Moses are wrestling with the painful reality that one day our lives on earth must come to an end. Yet, they are not despairing. Instead, their prayer is for wisdom to make the most of each day God has given them; that they may serve the Lord more faithfully and fruitfully.

 

The Bible’s ultimate answer to the frustration the Psalmists and we ourselves sense at life’s brevity is the eternal life Christ came to give us. Derek Kidner writes about these Psalms: “Such ‘songs in the night’ reveal something of the bewilderment about man that was only finally dispelled when the Word became flesh, and when the gospel brought life and immortality to light.”

 

As another year fades into memory, and the new year looms ahead, remember that each day is a gift of God to live for him. But also remember that Christ promises an everlasting life in which we there will be none of the discouragement and frustration of a temporary existence. Instead, there will be only the never-ending joy and bliss of communion with our heavenly Father and with the innumerable other children of God.

 

Please note the following information:

 

           This evening (12/29):

 

-         We will meet for our weekly Wednesday evening prayer meeting this evening at 7:00 p.m. at our house. Please call me for directions or to inform me of any matters for prayer (church, 321-5220 or home, 321-6151).

 

Friday, 12/31:

 

-         The Johnsons are hosting a New Year’s Eve party at our house (3827 Lynnbrook Circle). You can arrive anytime from 8:00 p.m. and plan on staying as long as you like. Of course, if we can make it long enough, we will ring in the New Year at midnight! If you have any questions, please call Robyn or myself at the same numbers as above.

 

This coming Lord’s Day (1/02):

 

-         The adult Sunday School class will watch and discuss the next segment of Ravi Zacharias’ video series called “Deliver Us From Evil – Restoring the Soul in a Disintegrating Culture”.

 

-         During the morning worship service, I will preach on Mark 12:41-44, the story of the poor widow’s offering. The sermon will be “Giving Sacrificially”.

 

-         I will resume preaching through the 10 Commandments for the evening service. This Sunday evening we will consider the 6^th commandment (Exodus 20:13). The message will be called, “Respect for Life.”

 

January 8^th:

 

-         The session will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the church. Please let me know if you have any matters to bring before the session.

 

January 9^th:

 

-         The annual congregational meeting will meet this Lord’s Day immediately following the morning service. If you are a member of Grace, please make every effort to attend this meeting.

 

 

 

 

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

 

 

 

 

Pastor Scott Johnson

Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC)

Norman, Oklahoma

Visit our website: www.opcNorman.org