Wars, Earthquakes, Tsunamis,

...hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, drought, flooding, immigration and migration issues, political unrest, and more and more local shootings are all over the media. We all claim it’s a problem with mental health and/or easy access to owning a gun. Pick a side if you wish, but I think you are both wrong. I believe the problem is the lack of GOD.

1 Kings 19: 11 – 12 in The Message shares “Then he was told, ‘Go stand

on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by.’ A hurricane

wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD,

but GOD wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire; but GOD wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.”

We are now living in a world when our children's, children's, children do not know the church of God. They have not had the experience of growing up in a church community. We have moved from families being at church on Sunday to being out on whatever field is playing whichever game that Sunday. Okay, we can say a community exists but looking at how more and more parents behave in these situations reminds us how much we need a moral code to follow.

Just what have we been teaching our children? How to win, and hopefully how to lose. But do we teach them how to be kind and altruistic? What ever happened to being polite and thinking of others before oneself? Basic moral and ethical codes of conduct that are taught amid our religious communities are being lost. Let us talk about the community of the church for a moment. As I look back over my personal life it becomes apparent that my dearest friends have all been met through the churches GOD has sent me to serve.

Unfortunately, over the years there have most certainly been reasons to want to abandon our churches. This, however, is more about leadership and personal interactions. People are wounded for many different reasons. If this has been the case for you, please remember that people will always be people. However, I can be here to listen if you need.

For without faith in following the way of Jesus we are lost as a people. Our country began based on both separatism and puritanism. Should we think things would have changed? It is the foundation of our political structure and even that has been more about winning and losing, not serving. However, with all that is happening in the world, doesn’t it make sense to slow down and listen? To remember that GOD is still I AM.

So, as we move ever so quickly through Fall and into the Winter months, let us prayerfully shut off the media for a little while and instead read some scripture or pray or join me on our Facebook Page at 4:45 PM starting November 1st as we begin our daily Prayer and Scripture Time. (Facebook.com/CongregationalChristianChurchSomerset)

1 Thessalonians 5: 12 – 22 is a strong reminder of how we are to be. If we are not going to participate in Church, then can we at least participate in the good of humankind!

“See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seeks to do good to one another and to all.

Rejoice always,

Pray without ceasing,

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise the words of the prophets,

But test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen.

Peace and Fall Blessings,

The Reverend Cheryl Rieder