Dear Emmanuel Reformed Church Family, February 2012
We have two February birthdays at our house so I need to be careful how I say this, but…”I am
not a big fan of February!” Not being a huge basketball fan I am grieving the end of football and
longing for the start of baseball. By February, winter is quickly losing its charm and I am usually in
the throes of trying to be healthier. February is a grind and with no plans to spend any time in the
Caribbean it’s a cold grind. So where does that leave me and my less than sunny attitude? Searching.
I will need to find blessing beyond what comes natural. I will need to take joy in those who take joy in
February. All those who love skiing and really brisk walks will need to stop by and cheer me up. I will
need to bask in the excitement of the birthdays at our house. I will need to find purpose in some brisk
walks of my own. Most importantly I will need to trust that the God who created Spring and Fall
which I love also created Winter. God has blessings for me in winter and maybe because I won’t be
distracted by the things I naturally love about other seasons, the blessings of God can be magnified.
So bring on February! Let’s trust God to speak and comfort and direct in the month ahead. May
God open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to receive what God longs to give!! Praise Be to God!
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will. -Romans 12:2
In His Grip,
Pastor Jeff
We have two February birthdays at our house so I need to be careful how I say this, but…”I am
not a big fan of February!” Not being a huge basketball fan I am grieving the end of football and
longing for the start of baseball. By February, winter is quickly losing its charm and I am usually in
the throes of trying to be healthier. February is a grind and with no plans to spend any time in the
Caribbean it’s a cold grind. So where does that leave me and my less than sunny attitude? Searching.
I will need to find blessing beyond what comes natural. I will need to take joy in those who take joy in
February. All those who love skiing and really brisk walks will need to stop by and cheer me up. I will
need to bask in the excitement of the birthdays at our house. I will need to find purpose in some brisk
walks of my own. Most importantly I will need to trust that the God who created Spring and Fall
which I love also created Winter. God has blessings for me in winter and maybe because I won’t be
distracted by the things I naturally love about other seasons, the blessings of God can be magnified.
So bring on February! Let’s trust God to speak and comfort and direct in the month ahead. May
God open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to receive what God longs to give!! Praise Be to God!
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will. -Romans 12:2
In His Grip,
Pastor Jeff
| Rev. Jeff McIlrath Pastor |
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