Pastor’s Note

Falling into a New Season

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We don’t often think of fall as a season of new beginnings. We think of it as the end of summer, the end of warm weather, and the end of vacation. But fall brings new beginnings as well: the leaves begin their wonderful transformation to breathtaking hues of red and orange, and in many ways, the de facto start of the church year.  Programs begin anew, familiar faces return after a summer of rest and renewal, and the body of Christ continues loving, learning, and serving.

I find fall to be a wonderful time to take stock in one’s life, to make new commitments and to resolve to live out old ones in new and powerful ways. Recently, I was rereading a work by Jonathan Edwards, considered by many to be one of the greatest American theologians and pastors to ever live. He wrote the following list of resolutions. I found them to be incredibly poignant, timely, and encouraging. As we enter into this new season of church life, may these resolutions encourage, inspire, and guide you as we seek to serve and love our Lord together. 

“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.

Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of humanity in general.

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.”
 

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tom