Life @ Montrose, Feb. 7, 2008

Relationships. Our whole new series is about relationships. Watch for the bulletin insert that is going to cover different aspects of our relationships with one another. As we get ready for Valentine's I invite you to come learn with us on Tuesday night how to grow your relationships with those around you.

 

One week ago today Darlene Johnson, the granddaughter of Phyllis Gleason, passed away from cancer. She was only 10. As we minister to Phyllis and her extended family during this tragic time, we have an opportunity to do something tangible to help. Funds are needed to help defray the costs of the burial/funeral. Would you be willing to do something to help? Please mark "Darlene Johnson" on your tithe envelope. We've raised $1,000 so far and we would like to raies an additional $600 thanks to the generosity of our church family.

Do you follow politics? "Super Tuesday" I thought was rather interesting to watch as McCain took the Republican lead, and Obama and Hillary continue to duel it out. Adventists have historically esckewed political involvement, but actually that isn't exactly true according to a book I read recently (Doug Morgan, Adventism and the American Apocalypse). Adventists have been skeptical that political involvement will make a difference when we know through Bible prophecy what will happen in the end. But, even in early Adventism, there were times for political activism. My favorite story is when some people tried to pass a Sunday law in Texas and Ellen White urged Adventists to vote against it of course. The danger with politics is that it is possible to let it color our relationships with others and we want to make sure that people know we love Jesus more than our political views.

 

One of the most rewarding aspects of ministry is getting to work with our young people. This Tuesday they had a treat for me because I had the privilege of going with them on their school ski trip to Powderhorn. It was a blast! And for all of the parents in our church, no one was seriously hurt! (I suspect a few people may have sore derrieres!). Powderhorn had just had 20 inches of fresh powder and it also warmed up a bit so it was the perfect day to ski. I also enjoyed the ski lesson in the morning. It's great to get some pointers on how to improve one's technique. According to my instructor, parallel skiing is discouraged (it's "old school") and keeping the skies about 4-5 inches apart is preferred. It's weird to hear that I am now "old school." I didn't think I was that "old" yet.