March 2, 2015

 

Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,

 

I hope this note finds you well this Monday morning. We are on our way! Thank you to so many of you who have joined the Journey this Lenten season and have committed each day to STOP, BE STILL and KNOW! The sermon series began yesterday as well focused on the "I AM" sayings of Jesus. The first two sayings were shared at the 8 and 11:15 a.m. services. Jesus said of himself, I am the Bread of Life and I am the Light of the World.

 

To know God as Bread and Light is to know that God satisfies, sustains and guides. There is no need to worry, stress or be anxious about the issues of life that are common to all humankind. We are invited to cast all of cares upon HIM, partake of the Bread of Life and walk in the light. The challenge for us this week in addition to our study is to BE SATISFIED. Practice Satisfaction. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:12-13, shares with us the secret to satisfaction: I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little.  I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

 

 

To practice being satisfied means, no grumbling, no complaining, no backbiting, spreading good news, sharing that which will strengthen and encourage someone else. This includes what we say to ourselves about situations and circumstances. I can hear someone saying now, "Sometimes people need to be told the truth. And the truth is...". When we are not satisfied, we feel the need to let people know as if their knowing and our sharing, will change our sense of dissatisfaction. More often than not, it doesn't and we are left even more frustrated, disappointed and dissatisfied. The truth is that God has not slept or slumbered since creation. The truth is the Transcendent God is also the Imminent God, Emmanuel - God who is with us, meeting our every need and being a light unto our paths, in spite of.

 

I have found the key to being satisfied, is being grateful. So as you reflect on the following scriptures this week on bread and light, find something each day to be grateful for. If you are reading this, you already have a few things to start with. This week, let's look at - Psalm 34:8-10, 1 John 1:1-5, Isaiah 55:1-2, Matthew 5:14-16, 1 John 2:7-11 and Matthew 6:28-34.

 

Satisfaction and Gratitude definitely requires being still and knowing that God is God. I awoke to the news of the City of Cleveland declaring that the actions of 12 year old Tamir Rice caused his own death producing "that" feeling the has become all too familiar in the African American community. Some of you know "that" feeling. Yet, I am grateful for the God who: Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. (Psalm 146:7-9)

 

May your week be full of satisfaction and gratitude! Join me again this Sunday for the next two "I AM" sayings. Until then...

 

Be still and know,

 

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson

Assistant Pastor

 

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