Advent
O Come Let Us Adore Him!
12/08/10 12:36
Christmas is here again and with it comes the yearly barrage of parties, plays and presents. It is a sentimental time for some and for others a time that brings up painful memories While our emotions might take very different paths during the holiday season one thing remains constant, that God became man. We remember this fact when we come to church and when we see the family of the week read the Advent reading and light the Advent candle; however, what does the incarnation (God becoming man) really mean for you and me? Most of all it means the freedom to repent and believe in Christ’s finished work as our savior and the hope to carry on when repentance and faith seems very much impossible. Christ did not save us from heaven. He did not make a divine fiat that gave pardon to his children from afar. He became “us” because “us” is whom he loved. Think about that for a moment. In the wake of the Mission’s conference with its challenges to move out of our comfort zone and into the world the incarnation is the greatest “mission trip” ever done. No one in your life is too far gone, too crusty or too hopeless not to hear the good news of the gospel from you. Christ came to earth to accomplish the good news of the gospel, the Spirit is at work transforming us so that we are gripped more and more by that good news, and we are to exude that good news in every relationship at all times of the year. What a wonderful reminder the incarnation is that Christ came to accomplish salvation for us so that people from every nation might share the good news that we have.
Rev. Kyle Perret
Cascade Presbyterian Church
Eugene Oregon
knperret@cascadepca.org
(541) 343-5538
Rev. Kyle Perret
Cascade Presbyterian Church
Eugene Oregon
knperret@cascadepca.org
(541) 343-5538
Reflecting out the windows of life...
12/02/10 12:17
In the last few days I came talked to someone who was singularly concerned for the eternal state of a dear friend. The concern for the freedom and security afforded only in relationship to Jesus Christ comforted this person wholly and she desperately wanted the same peace for those she loved. What would the glimpses through the windows of our friendships look like is we thought first of their eternal state and then of our mutual interests.
Advent season brings out great hope and for many overwhelming anxiety - what do people glimpse in us as they drive by? Do they see joy and purpose, or frentic worry? Is their the opportunity to reflect in the warmth and inviting promise of a smile in one who wanders through our lives. This was pressed upon me yesterday as I approached the check out line of the Market near the church one person was bent over encouraging a child they did not know about the wonders of Christmas and next to them in the line was an exquisitely dressed man in his thirties berating the checker for giving him change in bills which were old while crisp newer currency was available in the drawer. Sounds goofy and yet the glimpse told a great deal nonetheless - who would you be drawn to know?
Reverend J. Kyle Parker
Cascade Presbyterian Church
Eugene Oregon
jkparker@cascadepca.org
(541) 343-5538