Message from the President…. Let Go of Grudges

My wife and I have an unspoken rule that whoever is first to stumble out of bed on Saturday morning that they assume the responsibility of starting the kettle and preparing the French Press with 8, yes 8 scoops of Peet’s Organic Decaf Terrena coffee.  Well this past weekend, I somehow made it out to the kitchen before my wonderful bride and, despite not quite thinking clearly, I was awake enough to move towards something that will help unscramble my thoughts and got the hot water going.  While enjoying my second cup of this freshly brewed coffee, it struck me that God performs a similar function for us when we ask Him to clear out the confusion and unscramble our thoughts.  Some people assume they don’t have time to begin their day with God… they don’t realize how much He can facilitate their lives.  God is sovereign over every aspect of our life, so I encourage us all to open up so that He can remove obstacles and clarify our thinking. Jim

As the joy and excitement of preparing for the holiday season nears, please remember to share the special gift that each and every one of us possess – Love.  Love is so important to God that it is mentioned hundreds of times in every translation of the Bible.  I remember during my early days at Sunday school that our instructors would pull the classroom in a circle and tell stories of how Christ referred to love as the greatest commandment of all, and how he spent his ministry demonstrating love to his followers. Learning to love God’s way provides the most tangible picture of him available to the world.  Nothing will draw you closer to him or to others than walking in unconditional love.   As my wife and I are raising our two beautiful and inquisitive young girls, we try to demonstrate that true love encompasses enthusiasm and passion, and it bases itself more on trust, commitment, and action. I encourage all of us to love someone today through your actions: give a gift, a loving touch, a personal note, or an act of kindness.  For it was Saint Thomas Aquinas who shared that to love is to will the good of another. Jim

The older you get, the more you realize your parents are a lot smarter than you thought they were.  People who love you – friends, parents, cousins, siblings – are on your side and usually want what is best for you.  I truly believe that God places friends and family around us to help us discover our purpose.  He gave us loved ones who know us and can share with us a different perspective when faced with difficult situations.  Loved ones with different experiences and opinions help to broaden our world and enable us to continue down the path of self-discovery.  I would encourage you to write a thank-you note to loved ones today for their valuable input into your life.