Uplook - August 17, 2024
Warm greetings,
As we near the end of summer I have found myself making lists of a variety of things which must be completed before the fall rains begin and the days get shorter. Many of those things have to do with building maintenance on the church as well as the church home. I met a service representative at the church yesterday and he asked “How old is this building?” When I told him it was constructed as a school in 1907, he marveled at what good shape it was in after 117 years. I reflected on those who have come before me who invested in maintaining our physical building. We purchased it around 1960 so have been responsible for the building for more than half of its life. In 1907, the building was heated by coal furnace and fireplace. Both are long gone and heat comes from fuel oil. I chuckle whenever I go in our furnace room because when I pastored in Seattle for five years from 1997-2002, the service representative told me to “save your money” because you will need new furnaces before long. It is over 20 years later and the money has been saved but yet to need to be spent because we have maintained and updated the furnaces all along the way. During the 10 years we have been in Seattle this time we have painted, remodeled the kitchen, replaced some carpet, remodeled restrooms, added security, repaired windows, and drains, and the list goes on and on. We’re thankful the building was first built, and later came under our ownership, but even more thankful for the maintenance which continues to make it warm, inviting, and functional for worship and other church activities.
I wonder if we pay as much attention to spiritual and relational maintenance as we should? I often tell couples in their premarital counseling that while they are planning and preparing for a wedding, it is my job to help them prepare for a successful marriage over the long term. I think this is also true in the raising of our children…we must not only invest in the myriad of daily activities needed for their welfare, but must prioritize their long term spiritual welfare as it will be what truly matters. It goes without saying that we need to receive salvation but is sometimes overlooked that while it is an instantaneous exchange of grace/mercy for our sins…it is also the beginning of a new life. It would be ludicrous to expect that our care for a baby should only be during the 9 months after conception while it is safely in the womb and finally born. It is at that very moment that the maintenance cycle kicks in to assure the hoped result of an adult reflecting the character of Christ. Parents and the greater community of faith all has a part in such maintenance for sure. But ultimately, we as individuals must do what is needed to maintain that with which we have been entrusted…the grace of life.
So as summer wanes, maybe you will join me in making lists. But we would all be wise to make a list of those things which could use some spiritual maintenance even before they are worn or broken. It might be as simple as a renewed devotional schedule or commitment to be in church with our family. It could be tougher, like making a restitution or following through on a promised commitment. It might include renewing a friendship or reaching out in community to the rest of the body of Christ. Whatever maintenance the Holy Spirit points out to your heart, may you put it on your “to do list” and may God give you grace, strength, and power to follow through on it. Your long term spiritual welfare will benefit.
A special note…As we get closer to the fall mark your calendars for Seattle Special Meetings on October 19-20. We are working on details and will have them out within the next couple of weeks. God bless you all.
In Christ,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
As we near the end of summer I have found myself making lists of a variety of things which must be completed before the fall rains begin and the days get shorter. Many of those things have to do with building maintenance on the church as well as the church home. I met a service representative at the church yesterday and he asked “How old is this building?” When I told him it was constructed as a school in 1907, he marveled at what good shape it was in after 117 years. I reflected on those who have come before me who invested in maintaining our physical building. We purchased it around 1960 so have been responsible for the building for more than half of its life. In 1907, the building was heated by coal furnace and fireplace. Both are long gone and heat comes from fuel oil. I chuckle whenever I go in our furnace room because when I pastored in Seattle for five years from 1997-2002, the service representative told me to “save your money” because you will need new furnaces before long. It is over 20 years later and the money has been saved but yet to need to be spent because we have maintained and updated the furnaces all along the way. During the 10 years we have been in Seattle this time we have painted, remodeled the kitchen, replaced some carpet, remodeled restrooms, added security, repaired windows, and drains, and the list goes on and on. We’re thankful the building was first built, and later came under our ownership, but even more thankful for the maintenance which continues to make it warm, inviting, and functional for worship and other church activities.
I wonder if we pay as much attention to spiritual and relational maintenance as we should? I often tell couples in their premarital counseling that while they are planning and preparing for a wedding, it is my job to help them prepare for a successful marriage over the long term. I think this is also true in the raising of our children…we must not only invest in the myriad of daily activities needed for their welfare, but must prioritize their long term spiritual welfare as it will be what truly matters. It goes without saying that we need to receive salvation but is sometimes overlooked that while it is an instantaneous exchange of grace/mercy for our sins…it is also the beginning of a new life. It would be ludicrous to expect that our care for a baby should only be during the 9 months after conception while it is safely in the womb and finally born. It is at that very moment that the maintenance cycle kicks in to assure the hoped result of an adult reflecting the character of Christ. Parents and the greater community of faith all has a part in such maintenance for sure. But ultimately, we as individuals must do what is needed to maintain that with which we have been entrusted…the grace of life.
So as summer wanes, maybe you will join me in making lists. But we would all be wise to make a list of those things which could use some spiritual maintenance even before they are worn or broken. It might be as simple as a renewed devotional schedule or commitment to be in church with our family. It could be tougher, like making a restitution or following through on a promised commitment. It might include renewing a friendship or reaching out in community to the rest of the body of Christ. Whatever maintenance the Holy Spirit points out to your heart, may you put it on your “to do list” and may God give you grace, strength, and power to follow through on it. Your long term spiritual welfare will benefit.
A special note…As we get closer to the fall mark your calendars for Seattle Special Meetings on October 19-20. We are working on details and will have them out within the next couple of weeks. God bless you all.
In Christ,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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