A new year. Wow. Where did the last one go? So many highs and lows within twelve months it is hard to believe it has already come and gone. And here we are in the days of old to new. New. A word that sends some people into a downward spiral. But for others of us it provides an open door that allows the spirit to soar into possibilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. It hasn’t ever been lived before. New. Fresh. Possible. Open. Endless. There is just so much promise that is in that one word. To say a new year gives us 365 days of new. A wonderful gift that keeps on giving.

As when the angel Gabriel was speaking to Mary (Luke 1:37) proclaiming the coming of the Messiah through her body. He says that “with God nothing is impossible”. So we too need to believe in the power and love of our God and see the future before us as new possibility, as promise, with hope. In these days of gaining light, we need to remember that whatever challenges are in this moment, they will not last. They are not forever. Rather they are points of mercy, possibility, of learning and growth through which we can move deeper in love and service with our Lord. Whatever seems insurmountable, with God holds great possibility. That is the good news that we need to take into this new year with us. It is possible. To know healing, growth, be lifted up, to soar. It is possible to find in Christ our Lord the strength we need to endure and once again thrive.

New Hope. It is even in our name. We are not bound or limited by the old. We are not without the promise of our God, but rather rich in the hope that comes from a little child born among us to show us the way to God’s gifts of salvation and love. Let’s greet this new year with open hearts and minds allowing in the power of our God to transform us all into the light of wondering love. Into the beacon of hope that is our purpose and gift.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Karen [READ MORE]

Merry Christmas!  I pray that you are keeping your spirit nurtured and fed as you go about your preparations for the great day of celebration, Christ’s birth.  It comes upon us so quickly in all the bustle yet in the midst is that wonderful Spirit that sings to us while cradling us [...] [READ MORE]

I look outside to frost and snow covered trees. A little shiver goes through me. Winter has taken hold of the Interior of Alaska and it is only November 1. Yet it is also All Saints Day. A day of warm remembering and celebrating those who have gone before us [...] [READ MORE]

On a recent trip here in Alaska, my husband and I were blessed with seeing all sorts of wild life.  From a great grizzly bear to a humpback whale and her calf to sea lions and porpoise.  Over and over again we were humbled by this majestic Creator of ours who made [...] [READ MORE]

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! What an amazing gift we have been given by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gave himself up for us, dying on the cross only to rise from the grave victor over sin and death, establishing for us life everlasting. Wow. Does it [...] [READ MORE]

Light. It is a basic element to life. Our bodies, our souls long for it when we are deprived. The long winter darkness that we have known here in the Interior has only magnified the hunger within us for the gaining light we are now experiencing. Thank you God! Just as our bodies need the light, that precious vitamin D we hear of so often to be emotionally alert, positive, energized, so our souls need the light of our Savior to warm us, fill and awaken us, to illumine God?s path for us so that we can walk in faith and hope throughout this life.

As Spring brings thoughts of playing in the dirt, seedlings and new life, of hope and energy, excitement and joy, fishing, ATVing, camping, hiking, biking, (ok, so I too am a little excited about the coming Spring), so Christ, the Light of the World (Ps. 27:1; Jn. 1:1-9; 9:5) and God?s word which "is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Ps. 119:105) bring hope and excitement, energy and joy, even adventure to our lives. That is, when we take the time to read God?s word, to pray for illumination for our lives and spent time with our Savior in his radiance.

In this season of Lent that we are in leading up to Holy Week and Easter, we are intentionally invited to make time in our day to be reflective, honest, open and penitent (confessing our sin to God). One could view it as a kind of Spring cleaning of the soul. In those times of reflection, we can not only take inventory of that which needs to be given over to and cleared out for God, we can at the same time take great courage that doing so will meet up with our God who "is merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (Ps. 103:8). That means God will deal with us graciously, generously. Because we have turned ourselves back to God. Because we have trusted the Light of Christ, receiving his courage and boldness needed to reorganize our lives into a life to his glory and our good.

So as you stand or walk or ride or have fun in the sunlight, taking in those beautiful rays of needed vitamin D and warmth, spend time becoming more aware of Christ?s light that is always shining around you and in you. Open your heart and see the beauty! Be bold in your time with him in honestly sharing what is really on your heart. Confess what you need to confess. Grieve what you need to grieve. Unload what you need to unload. Celebrate what you need to celebrate. Recognize what is right in your life and rejoice. Dance when you need to dance. Reorganize your life so that Christ is the center. Christ is waiting for the whole of your life to be shared with him that his body, the Church, may more freely do his work on earth to the glory of God, "who loved the world so much, that He gave his only begotten Son. That whoever believes in him, will not perish, but have everlasting life." (Jn. 3:16)

See you shining in the Christ light,
Pastor Karen [READ MORE]