F.E.E.D. #5

F.E.E.D. is an acronym for “Family Emphasis Enrichment and Development." From Mother’s Day through Independence Day Weekend we will be focusing our sermons on how we can be better parents, a better spouse, a better son or daughter, how we can be more connected to our local fellowship, and many other virtues which should improve as we grow in our faith. A secondary purpose is to remind the congregation that we need to focus inward for a portion of our yearly messages and activities. You often hear the term personal development, F.E.E.D. will speak to this growth dynamic, so each of us should be prepared to evaluate where we are in our growth process.

“Spring Cleaning” is in the air! Thanks to everyone who helped with roadside cleanup. Our annual Spring Spruce Up will be happening on June 5th from 8am till 12:30pm. Lunch will be served at 12:45 and most everyone can be on their way home by 1:15. These longer days of spring/summer are very special and we understand your time is valuable. For those who have never attended our bi-annual clean-up, it has always been my personal challenge to be present. One of my ministry goals is to live up to everything I am asking you to consider (within reason). As a side thought my mother is about the cleanest person I know in the world. Seriously, she is constantly cleaning; otherwise, she is telling my father and youngest brother what they need to clean up. Some of this behavior comes from her upbringing in Bavaria, which is in southern Germany. My parents' home is filled with stuff, yet very little dust can be found on any flat surface. Just ask Brad E., he can vouch for the previous statement. When she has in the past come to visit, after saying hello to Janet and the children she would be found in some room cleaning or dusting. She has a built-in desire to house clean, yet all of this house cleaning is of no eternal value if we don't get the inside of our spiritual homes right. I wonder how many people live day to day and never take into consideration the condition of their spiritual home. Spiritual house cleaning is something we should be mindful of all throughout our life, with the attitude of being ready to allow the Holy Spirit to blow through our dusty souls when needed. No one wants a family member to slip into eternity without their spiritual condition, with the Lord, being forgiven/cleansed. As we consider “Family Reunions” one other aspect is making sure our “earthly” relational condition with people is right. The last words I speak to my wife or children need to bring life and blessing to their souls. How many of us need to do some spiritual house cleaning, even as we are all prepared to do some deep cleaning with the advent of nicer weather and more daylight? The scripture which causes me to pause this morning is found in Luke 12, “And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." The story should challenge all of us to not be so engrossed in ourselves and our worldly attainments because life can end abruptly. When the "Game Over" sign of life lights up on this side of heaven, we need to remember there are no do-overs. Let’s get it right now, don’t wait for tomorrow, tomorrow will never come, and you will regret the lost opportunity to clean out the junk that still resides in your heart. Mach schnell! Do it now Joseph, that’s what my Mom would tell me.