February 25, 2015

Dear ATBC Family and Friends,

It happened! I don't know if it was because Resurrection Sunday is early this year or what. But it happened. Lent came upon me like a thief in the night and as in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, I was not prepared. I immediately started doing what a good Christian should. Trying to figure out what can I do. What can I give up? I have to DO SOMETHING! But then that still, small voice that is so very often drowned out by the activities and other voices of life whispered, "STOP! Just STOP." I was convicted. This was the real issue in the first place. I have been so busy just doing things. Good things, yes. Necessary things, yes. Church and Ministry things, yes. So busy doing all the should do, must do, need to things, that I forgot my first call is to just BE. Doing Christianity often occurs at the expense of Being a Christian.

With all that is going on in the world, in our lives and even in our churches and communities of faith, it is easy to forget to BE. During times when it appears that strife, confusion and discord prevails, the Bible tells us exactly what needs to occur and what our posture should be. In Psalms 46, the writer acknowledges there will be times when we need refuge and strength. There will be times when it seems the earth is being removed and mountains are being carried off into the sea; times when the waters roar and the land is shaking. There will be times when things just seem like they are falling apart. During these times, God says - "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"!

This Lenten season, that is what I am sensing - a call to be still and seek to grow in my knowledge of God. It occurred to me, that maybe I am not alone. Maybe there are others who like me, need to STOP, BE STILL and KNOW. So this will be the journey. Managing those three things will be more difficult than giving up my beloved Starbucks Vanilla Mocha. I invite you to join me over the next few weeks as we prepare for Holy Week 2015. The goal is to make time each day to be still and grow in the knowledge of God through meditation, reflection and study of the word.

At Allen Temple, starting this Sunday - March 1, 2015 - I invite you to join us as we seek to know and grow in God through a Sunday Lenten Sermon Series. Each week, we will look at the revelation of God through Jesus Christ by lifting up what Jesus said about Himself. In preparation for our journey together, here are some scriptures to reflect on for today through Saturday: Psalm 46; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Psalm 1; 1 Kings 19:9-13.

I wholeheartedly believe if I can commit to making time to Be Still, God will enable me to Be Fruitful. This is my hope and prayer - that with all my Doing - God, the Holy Spirit will enable me to BE: Loving, Joyful, Peaceful, Longsuffering, Kind, Good, Faithful, Gentle and Self-controlled. Against these, there is no law! Let's take some time and just BE!

Be still and know,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor