Brandon Ives: May 2010

May 27, 2010

Newsletter Article

I saw a great church sign on the Internet the other day. It said, "Come hear our pastor. He's not very good, but he's short."

Now I am glad that Mary Anne hasn't placed that on our sign yet. Perhaps it's because I'm not short? But the sign gets me thinking about how we measure success?

I truly believe that the best measuring stick that we can use for our church is faithfulness. If we are being faithful to our calling, we will be successful. If we lack faithfulness, then we will fail no matter how many people show up or how much offering comes in. Faithfulness can be explained as simply as following and trusting God where ever he leads. Faithful churches come in varied shapes, colors and sizes, but they are always pleasing to God. Could we really ask to be anything more?

12:20 PM | Permalink |

May 20, 2010

That Little Boy of Mine

Two eyes that shine so bright,
Two lips that kiss goodnite,
Two arms that hold me tight,
That little boy of mine.

No one could ever know how much your coming has meant.
Because I love you so, you're something heaven has sent.

You're all the world to me.
You climb upon my knee.
To me you'll always be,
That little boy of mine.

By Benny Meroff, Wayne King, and Walter Hirsch

1:05 PM | Permalink |

May 14, 2010

Blessing of the Hands

This afternoon I participated in a service blessing the hands of health care workers in one of our local clinics. It was a privilege serving the nurses and doctors in this way and I pray that their work will be blessed by God in this coming year.

I thought that I would share our prayer and some words read today by Saint Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy
O Divine Master
Grand that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in dying that we are born into Eternal Life.
In His Name, Amen.

Saint Francis

May you be blessed with a spirit of gentleness and a heart that is tender. May you be blessed with a spirit of strength shining within you. May you be blessed with a spirit of compassion and a fervent caring. May you be blessed with a spirit of courage, daring to be who you are. May you be blessed with a spirit of openness, understanding, and respect. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Labels: Blessings, Church, Community, Worship