"Entertaning VS Hospitality"

   I like watching HGTV with my wife every now and then. They have some neat shows. But one of the things that really gets my goat when watching "House Hunters" is that every now and then some young couple will turn there nose up at a house because they cannot see themselves being able to "Entertain" there friends in this space. Hey, if I would to be entertained in my home I simply have the grand kids over. They are always good for a laugh or two!
   But now on the flip side is this word, this Godly Trait called "Hospitality".  It is much more then simply having friends over for dinner. Hospitality is welcoming people into your life. It is opening your home, your Church and your arms to people around you. It is a warm smile and a firm handshake. It is a Hug that offers hope and a kind word that  Builds up. It is knowing your neighbors and those you sit with in church. It is ministering to those in need, even if you do not know there name. Hospitality is a Christ like gift that I see slowly disappearing from we Christians as we allow ourselves to get to busy in our lives. Consider today how Christ is calling you to share Hospitality to some one around you. It will be like a breathe of fresh air.
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it" Hebrews 13:2 Love ya' All Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church
 

Paul the Penguin

   This past Saturday at our Church, our board spent a little time talking about ways to improve our Church. I then decided to let the Children help us out a bit. So during Children story on Sunday I asked them to tell me a few things they would like to change at Church. The list included such items, a trampoline, playground equipment, a cotton candy machine, a Penguin and a place to go Ice Fishing and more! Earlier this morning as I was thinking about their list God gave me a way to fulfill one of their wishes, a way that would also enhance our Children stories over the next few weeks. And that was to get a Penguin stuffed animal, to name him Paul in honor of the Apostle Paul and then in weeks to come to let Paul and I tell stories about this famous relative of his. So while I was in Sterling, Illinois I set to to find this stuffed Penguin. An easy task I thought with the popularity of Penguins these days. Don't you just love "Happy Feet"! Anyway, I went to store after store with little luck. In one store they had a penguin you pulled, but it was the colors of the rainbow, nah! The next store had one that lights us the ceiling for a very hefty price. The next one had a plastic one that held blocks, but NO Penguin stuffed. toy. When leaving one store I saw off in a corner a Carnival game. The one with a small crane that you let down and try to pluck the toy of your dreams for just one dollar. In there was just the penguin I wanted. I went through a lot of ones that morning to no avail. I did finally find my Penguin. In my search of frustration, it came to me just how much God pursues us with his love. A pursuit of us in which He never gives up! No matter how many times we may turn our back to Him and his Son Jesus, He stays ever constant, always holding out to us His vast love. Have you let God catch you yet? If so you know of this Love that I am speaking of. Or are you still keeping our all loving God at bay? Stop for a moment and allow Him to engulf you with Love you have never, ever known before.
     I Love You all, but God Love's you more! Pastor Rick Koch, Dutchtown Church   

"Treasure"

    When was the last time you told someone that you "Treasure Them". Have you ever told anyone this? Think about it for a moment. To express such care and affection for someone that you tell them that they are treasured by you, wow! Sunday in worship we talked about just how much God treasures each and everyone of us, that includes you! Hear what a few scriptures say about God's affection for you. Exodus 19:5 "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." Then from Deuteronomy 14:2 "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession."
   I share this with you all today for I know that there will be several times in your week ahead, just like in weeks past where you will feel like anything but "Treasured". All around you people will be doing their best with satan at their side to beat you down. To make you feel about as low as a slug. Been there, done that, and it ain't any fun! But then God comes along and reminds you that He has chosen you to be His treasured possession. That YOU are worth more to Him then all of the silver and gold in the world put together. For you SNL veterans out there, can't you here the Church Lady saying, "Well ain't that Special"! But this time without the sarcasm. Sometimes we just need a simple reminder of our place in God's heart. Go out this week now and live like you are treasured and treasure those around you as well.
Have a Blessed and Joy Filled week! Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church      

New Years Resolutions

So how many of your New Year's resolutions are you still keeping? Or did you simply decide that "Why Bother" I will just break them anyway! I always toy with a few resolutions but sometimes wait a week or so, so that I may pray over it to make sure it'one that God wants me to make ans one that the Holy Spirit will let me know whan I am not keeping it. This year's resolution for myself is to make time in my life away from worship on Sunday to worship Jesus as a need to. For you see often times it is hard fore we Pastor's to fully give ourselves in worship on Sunday as our minds are focused on creating that experience for those in our congregation. Ask your Pastor about this, most will agree with me. And the second part of my New Year's Resolution is to listen to the Holy Spirit when planning worship for each Sunday with the hope that it will reach into the hearts of those who attend here at Dutchtown. To help me in this endeavor I have adopted a theme song from Matt Redmon entitled, "The Heart of Worship". Hopefully I can send you a link to the video. If it does not work out, please look it up for yourselves as it has helped me now for several months as I approach worship each Sunday. As when are now apart of the New Year make worship regular part of your week and I guarantee you that your week will get off to a great start!
   Love ya' All - Pastor Rick Koch Dutchtown Church      

A New Year's Day Reflection

For many people New Years Day is a time to begin anew. A time to break that bad habit or to start a new good habit. But when I think of New Years Day, I think about Marriage. For you see it was 36 years ago on a frigid New Years Day that Beckie and I were married. Two 19 year olds starting a new life together with so many obstacles to overcome, that they are too many to mention! But the main part of my message today is that those obstacles can be overcome and turn into a strong marriage. A marriage that continues to be ever changing and ever growing. Not that our marriage is a perfect one, but for a few moments now allow me to share with you from a "Guys" perspective what has helped make our marriage a strong one and one that grows with changing times. First and foremost, we both have a faith in Jesus as our Lord and have allowed that faith to grow & mature over the years. We talk about faith issues and we do not always see things the same, but we respect each other's faith views. Second, guys make your wife feel special with each passing day. Find your own way to do this. One way I do this is by giving Beckie a note each day sharing in it a variety of things. What I share with her is between her and myself! Another thing, go out and eat together or if eating at home sit across from one another and spend that time in conversation about what's going on in life. Two more things guys I have to share. One, find things that you can do together that you both have an interest in and then do those things often together. One thing that Beckie and I enjoy is "Antiquing" and so we make time to do that together. And lastly guys, tell your wife often these three little words, "I Love You". There are too many guys that I know that tell me, "She already knows that, why do I have to tell her?" Why because she needs to and wants to hear you say those words. They are refreshment to her heart! Well that is my few words of wisdom for you all for today. I pray that each and everyone of your marriages grow stronger with each new day and that your relationship with Christ does the same.
    Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church