The B-I-B-L-E

As a child I grew up singing, “The B-I-B-L-E” and I have thought a lot about that in the last months.  “The B-I-B-L-E, Yes that’s the book for me; I stand alone on the Word of God, The B-I-B-L-E.”  PVUMC has grown during this time and I am thankful we can be there for those looking for a Bible based church but many come with heavy hearts, burdened as they leave their home church.  As one of those who left my church of 50 years, it comes with grief.  Even though I left five years ago, there has been more hurt and grieving in the last months.  It is ok to grieve what we lost and it is ok to be excited about what is to come.

Many people feel invested in their church because they have given of their money, time and energy.  They have served, have many relationships, many years of memories and experiences.  Milestones have been shared in the walls of the church including marriages, baptisms, confirmations, hardships and death of loved ones.

There is a time to grieve, and a time to move on, but no one can tell you when that time is.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…”  This does not mean we will no longer have sadness over this loss but we can grow from the negative experience.  

Culture changes but God never changes.  Where His Word goes, it will not return void.  Damon Littlefield reminded us that while we feel the loss of unity, we thank God for His continuing works as Our Creator, having provided a path into a new future relationship with Him; just as He has done in times past, due to His everlasting mercy and infinite wisdom.  The B-I-B-L-E, Yes that’s the book for me!