When things don’t go as planned

I am a person who likes a routine.  Every morning I wake up, have a cup of coffee, snuggle with Merriweather as we watch the Today Show before I get on with my day.  In the evenings I watch a little TV, snuggle with Merriweather, and most nights talk with my mom for a bit before heading to bed.  I don’t like surprises, I like to know what to expect.  I like to have a plan!

So what happens when things don’t go to plan…well funny you should ask!  Last Monday I woke with a dull pain in the lower back.  It happens from time to time so I didn’t really think much about it.  The next day, I had a doctor’s appointment to establish care with a new doctor.  I told her about my pain and we talked about symptoms and possible causes.  She ordered an abdominal ultrasound for the next day.  Lo and behold I have a “significant” gallstone embedded in my gallbladder!  (No wonder I have pain that won’t seem to go away!) Fast forward and today (Wednesday) I am having surgery to remove my gallbladder!

Normally when things go awry and I am thrown off course, I panic and let stress and anxiety run the house!  But not this time! I have found myself calm, cool and collected with only a small bit of anxiety on the side.  I have prayed A LOT this past week…turning my worry into prayer (habit 3).  I have let God’s truth wash over me…relying on truth over uncertainty (habit 4).  And most importantly I have leaned into rest…breathing in Christ and breathing our stress (habit 5). 

So, as I write this I am doing my best to only use the good habits…and let the bad habits go.  I am going into this surgery with just a little bit of anxiety because I don’t know what to expect which makes it hard to plan.  But what I can plan for is to know that I am covered in prayer head to toe.  To know I have on repeat in my mind those verses of scripture that give me comfort.  And to know that God has control, so I don’t need to worry.

Thanks for your prayers!  I will be out of the office for the remainder of this week, Rev. Terry Palmer will be with you in worship on Sunday as I recover. I will be back in the office next week.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, 
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

Creatures of Habit: Stress vs. Rest

 “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
(Mark 6:31)

I don’t think I have shared with you my word for the year…“Breathe!”  This is the word that I need as my focus for the year!  For me it is a great reminder of the importance of stopping every now and then to simply pause, breathe, and rest.  It is a word of intention and perhaps the one habit in this sermon series that I need to work on the most!  My default is stress!

I often feel that life is just plain busy, often feeling too fast-paced and chaotic to even keep up. Technology keeps us connected around the clock, yet many people feel more distant from peace and rest than ever before. Breathing in Christ means finding our true rest, peace, and renewal in Him—learning to pause, release the weight of the world, and rest in God’s presence.

In my life rest isn’t really a thing.  I run on adrenaline and stress is my motivator.  I am a huge procrastinator which adds to the stress in my life.  I am trying to build a new habit, to not let stress run my life.  I am creating a habit of not working all the time and instead taking time to rest…body, mind and soul.  It is a work in progress for sure!  But, I am finding the importance of the pause, pushing the reset button, spending time nurturing my soul by doing things I love. 

Jesus is a great example of someone who knew the importance of rest.  He was always finding time to himself to pray, not letting the “schedule” dictate his day. I love his words to his disciples when things were getting busy.  He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  They all climbed in a boat and got away from the crowd for some peace and rest!

Creating a habit of rest involves intentionality, it doesn’t just happen on its own.  It is an act of surrender—recognizing that we are not in control and choosing to trust in God instead. Resting in Christ requires slowing down, letting go of the need to constantly strive, and allowing God to be our source of peace. It takes an awareness of when stress starts to creep in and knowing when we need to pause and simply breathe.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
(Matthew 11:28-30)

Creatures of Habit: Uncertainty vs Truth

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)

Sometimes I find it difficult to figure out what is true in the world we find ourselves in these days.  There is so much “Fake News” out there being shared that it is at times overwhelming!  Not only that, but it is time consuming to fact-check every parcel of information to find the nugget of truth.

So how do we live confidently in this information overload?  Or do we choose to live with the anxiety of uncertainty?  What is your default: truth or uncertainty?  How do you determine truth?

When I was younger, I was told what you put into your mind is what comes out of your mouth. In other words, what you allow to infiltrate your thoughts manifests itself in your words and actions.  I don’t remember what wise person told me this…only that decades later it still resonates deep within me.  As a result of that wisdom I am constantly working to filter life through the truth found in God’s Word.

I love the imagery found in Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  What a great reminder that scripture speaks!

God’s Word is truth and speaks to every aspect of our lives.  It is the filter that helps us see what is true and what matters.  It is the lens in which we not only see but also respond to the world around us.  It is the sword that protects our hearts and minds.  Within the pages of scripture we find our comfort, our hope, our certainty, our place of belonging and our truth.

Friends, we have a choice in what we allow to permeate our thoughts…uncertainty or truth.  We also have a choice in how we respond…anxiety or confidence.  Knowing scripture, dwelling in God’s word helps in those moments where uncertainty and anxiety get the best of us.  Remembering God’s promises found in the pages of scripture help combat those feelings and replaces them with truth.

Creating a habit of truth involves reading God’s Word.  It takes being aware of times when uncertainty starts to creep in and not letting it take root.  Taking time to read and know passages of scripture replaces uncertainty with God’s truth. 

Blessings, 
Pastor Jenni  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16)

Look What He’s Done!

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me! 

Great is Thy Faithfulness is one of my absolute favorite hymns…Top 5!  The Biblical text for this hymn come from Lamentations 3:22-23 which says, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  It is such a beautiful reminder of how God provides in all seasons and stages of life.  It is a declaration of God’s unchanging reliability and constant presence in our lives. The word “faithfulness” also refers to God’s steadfastness, God’s unwavering commitment to His promises, and God’s consistent character. This hymn reminds us that God is dependable and trustworthy, regardless of our circumstances.

How has God’s faithfulness manifested itself in your life?  How have you seen God at work in your life this past year?  Where has God’s provision showed up unexpectedly? These questions are ones that have been going through my mind as I have been reading through our 2024 Annual Report.  And friends I am so excited to say that God’s faithfulness to EPC and our faithfulness to follow God are written in every page of our Annual Report!  2024 had some struggles for us as a church family, we faced a huge deficit budget, we saw a decrease in our membership, and we had some hard conversations.  But, through it all, the highs and lows, I can see God’s steadfast love guiding us, God’s faithfulness meeting our needs and increasing our impact in our community and beyond. 

This Sunday we will gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting but we will be doing it differently.  Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place within the context of our worship.  Together we will celebrate God’s faithfulness and provision as we look back at 2024.  I am looking forward to this Sunday as we take time in our Worship to look at what God has done in and through us this past year.  There is so much to celebrate and I cannot wait to be together!

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:12-17)