MEDITATION MONDAY
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Yesterday, was the 50th anniversary of the Pitman church of Christ and the 25th anniversary of Dan and Katherine Cooper working with this congregation. There are many stories shared at this weekend anniversary celebration that I could share with you of the past 50 years... the dreaming, the sacrificing, the church plantings, and above all the loving... I already knew since before we moved here that, above all, this church family is known for the way they love!
- Dan and Katherine were presented with an amazing scrapbook of their 25 years at Pitman. They have set an example in love, transparency, inclusion, hospitality, and servanthood. Thank You, God, for the vision of having Dan and Katherine in this place for such a time as this!
- Yesterday morning, after Dan shared briefly about where we have come from in the past 50 years, Steve shared about our prayerful vision for the future. On the screen, he showed the pictures of the elders, deacons, and preachers of the Pitman church of Christ and discussed each of their specific visions within their ministries.
- It was powerful as he had us recite the following verse together as a fellowship of believers:
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"Where there is no vision,
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the people perish:
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but he that keepeth the law,
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happy is he."
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Proverbs 29:18
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Do you know what Jesus said about the law?
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In Matthew 12,
When the teachers of the law asked Jesus,
"Of all the commandments,
which is the most important?"
Jesus answered,
"The most important one is this:
"The most important one is this:
'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God,
the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind
and with all your strength.'
The second is this:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
There is no commandment greater than these."
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- And so yesterday morning, after spending time together in worship, communion, prayer, song, and sharing the vision... we experienced once again, the joy of two more coming to Jesus. They were attracted by the love... His love. Two men, both named Joe - both having wives who are born again - confessed their faith in Jesus before the congregation and were baptized into Christ, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. God still moves!!!
- God still moves with vision here in South Jersey! He wants all of us (you and me) to catch the vision for ourselves, our spouses, our families, our neighborhoods, our co-workers... Please join me today in meditating on it... It's a vision of love!
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"Love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind
and with all your strength."
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"Love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these."
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