Pastor's Message

First Presbyterian Church of

Mount Vernon Ohio

106 North Gay Street

Mount Vernon OH 43050

740-393-1326

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. M-F

Sunday Schedule

8:30 a.m.

Contemporary Worship

9:45 a.m.

Christian Education for all ages

11:00 a.m.

Traditional Worship

Sunday Schedule

8:30 a.m.

Contemporary Worship

9:45 a.m.

Christian Education for all ages

11:00 a.m.

Traditional Worship

Pastor's Message

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Six months ago I became a father. Since James arrived in our home I have been learning a lot. Some of these things have been practical lessons on how to care for our new son. Those have often been meaningful. However, there have also been theological lessons which echo things that I have studied and even preached.

I have long appreciated the fact that God reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I have written papers and preached sermons on the beauty of God revealing that He is a community of relationships. However, I am now experiencing what it is to be a father for the first time.

I recently heard myself saying these words, "OK James, I am going to let you have your way. You don't have to, but that is not what is best for you." James is teaching me about my relationship with God, my Abba. As the words came out of my mouth I heard them and wondered how often my father in heaven says that to me. My words were in response to my son's desire to stand up and play after eating and before he had burped. I knew that he would feel the pain of that decision later, but in that moment, I allowed him to say no.

I believe that God allows us to say no to his best for us. I believe that He does that out of genuine love and compassion. I also believe that He allows us to experience the pain we cause ourselves as a gift and not as punishment. The Bible tells us in John chapter 1, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." Since God calls us His children and invites us to call Him Abba (Romans 8:15), the lessons that I am learning about being a father to James are also a lesson to me about being a son to my Father in heaven.

Here are a few things I am re-learning 6 months into fatherhood:

· God is willing to let us have less than the best because he loves us.

· When we refuse his gifts he doesn't stop offering them, but it does grieve Him.

· Natural does not equal good. "All-natural" is used often to sell us things, but it is natural to be selfish. There are lots of things that are natural that are downright disgusting. We need God to transform our natural selves into His image.

· Maintenance is required from parents. That is why God sent His son

Being in relationship with a child is hard work, but the joy of his smile or laugh can warm the depths of my heart.

God loves us so much that He came and died for our sins. God loves us so much that His Spirit has come to live in us. God loves us so much that he invites us into His life and calls us His children. However, he won't force any of His love on us. He offers His whole self while allowing us the freedom to say no.

What are you saying to God's offer of self today?

In Christ, Jonathan

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