Pastor s Column: A New Year s Resolution
By TIM KLIEWER
Trinity Mennonite Church
The author of the book of Hebrews says: "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
King David said in Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'"
We are just two weeks into the new year of 2005. It is difficult to grow spiritually when we try to do it alone. I offer the following poem, author unknown, as an encouragement to you for giving yourself to regular worship with others in the church of your choice this year.
Twas two hours before worship
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring
Not even my spouse.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds —
No vision of Sunday School danced in their heads.
Ma in her curlers, and I, what a sap
Had just settled down, newspaper in lap; When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter!
Away to the window I flew like a flash. Threw open the curtain and up with the sash. The sun on the breast of the new planted sod, gave a luster of nature
And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but my neighbor's lawn mower cranked up in high gear! And I thought to myself, and just had to say, "Only a fool would save that for the Lord's Day!"
As I shook my head and turned around, I glanced in a mirror, and oh, what a frown! My big old mouth drawn up like a bow, stubbornness, conceit
A nice cozy home, but a life that was smelly. I had no more backbone than a bowl full of jelly. I'm a member of the church, have a wife that would go, we all could have souls as white as the snow.
I went to my mate and said, "How about you?" She smiled and said sweetly, "Sunday School too?" We spoke not a word, but went right to work, dressed up the kids, all pretty and pert.
And they heard us exclaim as we drove out of sight, "Two services this morning
