Vacation Season

    For several years in a row now Beckie and I have taken a week's vacation to the same place, White Tail Crossing Resort on Lake Shelbyville. Once in a while people will ask us about where we went or why we keep going back, as we will again this August. A few listen intently, thinking maybe they would like this place as well. But most have a hard time grasping the joy we find there simply because, "You have to be there and experience it for yourselves". I hope others of you have places like this that draw you back year after year, places others my not understand why, but you do!
      Worship is like that! We gather every Sunday throughout the year, week after week in the same place. The bulletin's look the same, but each Sunday is always different in some way. We never really know how the Holy Spirit is going to move. Trying to explain this glorious event to those who have never been or go just every once in a while is like trying to tell them about your vacation experience! You have to have been there to experience it! The majesty of God, the cries of a baby, the words of an old familiar hymn, smiles as a Mom tells of her child's accomplishments, tears as pray over a difficult situation and the list goes on and on. I can try and tell you all about what each Sunday means to me, but you cannot see it thru my eyes or my heart.
      So we gather Sunday after Sunday, to see what new thing God will do next and to encounter the ritual that takes place week after to week, that we all need in the aftermath of Chaotic week's.
       So this Summer, enjoy and find peace in that place you call your home away from home, but more importantly make time to find Christ week after week as you worship in the Church of your choice!
      Love ya' Pastor Rick Koch       

A Crack of the Window

    Yesterday morning when I left Church after services, I left the window in my office that faces South cracked open no more then a half an inch wide. I had opened it earlier that morning to get some fresh air in the office after having been gone for a week. Then came Sunday night's Storms. I had forgotten that I had left open the window just this small crack, but that half inch space proved to be more then enough for those storms to play havoc with my office! The fierce winds pushed rain water thru that crack in the window, dampening many things and ruining others. Carpet was wet as was my desk. A few books ruined as well as my stereo, a it was still sitting in a puddle when I arrived. I only have myself to blame. The damage could have been much worse, but it was damage that could have been prevented.
       It causes me to ponder how at many times we grow lazy in our Faith, leaving open windows of contentment and complacency, maybe we pray less then we used too or we don't crack open God's Word as much as we should. Finding time to serve others doesn't happen as much as it used too for we have now filled our calendars with more "Me Time". And our Worship attendance takes a hit as well as we allow too many things to take God's place as the one we worship.
   Why do we do this? Because we have given satan a "Crack in our Windows of Faith" allowing him to blow into our lives with such a damaging wind, a tornado of havoc he can play upon our spiritual lives.
    We cannot give the devil any footholds in our lives friends! For the devastation he can bring about is life altering. Have you checked your windows of faith lately to make sure NO falsehoods are blowing in?  Well, I gotta go, for I still have mess to clean up! Love Ya' Pastor Rick      

Mother's Day Reflection

Paul speaks to us all in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
      At times this can be a confusing passage for some. "God, just how are you going to use this painful situation I face, for good?" I have asked that myself. Today I want to share one way I have had this promise answered.
     Yesterday was Mother's Day as you all know. At this time last year my Mother and I, along with my step-father were NOT talking to one another. As a matter of fact we had not talked for well over a year. Many of you might now think, "How can this be! You being a Christian and a Pastor? "I don't get it!" I am not proud of this, nor will I try and justify myself or go into my families painful and broken past.   
    Then late last year I found out my Mom was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Right away I called home and on that day had a good conversation with my step-dad. All was not made right in that moment, but we are now in a re-building time in our relationship. I was even able to visit them in late January of this year.
    Through this terrible disease, good is now coming. God found a way to put myself and my mom back together again. So what situation is in your life right now, where you cannot see the "light at the end of the tunnel". A situation you are in where you find yourself questioning why God has put this in your lap. Never give up Hope! Never give up on God! Never give up on yourself! Love ya' Pastor Rick
P.S. Happy Mother's Mom, I Love You and I miss you! Your son Rick
  

A Little Marriage Wisdom

      This past Saturday I had my first Wedding of the new wedding season ahead for me. I said a lot things at that service, but there were Two pieces of Wisdom I shared with the couple that I now share with you are are planing a wedding and to you who are married. First, have Christ as the third strand in a rope not easily broken. Don't simply claim to believe in God, but claim His Son as Lord of your lives. If both husband and wife do this the success rate for your marriage sky rockets! Second, each morning when you awake and roll over in bed and see your spouse, begin anew each day to put their needs, wants, desires and dreams ahead of your own. But some of you will say, "What about me? I Have needs and dreams as well!" You see if both of you are striving to put the other first, your needs, wants and dreams will be fulfilled, for you both will want the best for each other. Two simply put pieces of advice. Yet, two pieces of advice not always easy to live out. God desires strong, vital and love filled marriages for us all. We simply have to put in the effort. My prayers are with as you seek too live out your faith in Christ and as you seek to out do each other in acts of love. Love ya' Pastor Rick