When I look around, I see JOY!

I see “refreshment” and trusting God’s promises…

I see Outreach and Stewardship often having the same mind and purposes…

I see slow and steady winning the race…

I see genuine warmth and love…

I see willingness to sacrifice…

I see the fullness of the grace of God in Jesus Christ as an everyday, personal reality.

I see peace and harmony, not to be confused with total uniformity or agreement…

 I see daring forgiveness, leading to disappearing anger…

I see the miracle of Christ’s Spirit sustaining us in our personal, individual crises du jour. His Spirit moves over the church that is always reforming (semper reformanda) and re-founding. I see inspired Stephen Ministers humbling themselves to be a listening, caring presence for their care receivers.

The miracle of Christ’s Spirit shows up in our “a-ha” moments that are impossible to consign to sheer coincidence. The tingling sensation when speaking with God? It’s not imagined or made up.

It was the miracle of God’s Spirit that helped Jesus endure the temptations in the wilderness. It was the miracle of God’s Spirit that breathed resurrection reality into the disciples.

These are the things I see, and I hope you see, when you look around with JOY! The church, the person (Olsen), and the attitude. Each one of you reading this is the miracle of Christ’s Spirit and a living reminder of His unconditional love.

Pastor Art