Rick Messers Ramblings

It’s that time of year again, and I just love it! I have been listening to Christmas music since Thanksgiving, and I just can’t wait for Christmas day to arrive. However it is with that thought in mind that I must admit, I am looking for Christmas. No I haven’t lost it, but I am looking for it. Are you? Here’s what I mean. As I was reading (Luke 2:16-18 NIV) ” ⁽¹⁶⁾ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ⁽¹⁷⁾ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ⁽¹⁸⁾ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.“

Those Shepherds had heard about CHRISTmas and they didn’t wait for CHRISTmas to come to them, but they went in search of Him. When they found Him, they began to tell everyone about CHRISTmas and they listened eagerly and were amazed at their story. Then it occurred to me that I also need to do the same. I know the message, and am very familiar with the story, but I still need to look for CHRISTmas especially during this time of year or I might miss Him.

I need to see CHRISTmas in the little acts of kindness that people do for my family. I need to remember CHRISTmas in the way I speak to others so that I can tell them of the good news of great joy! And I need to look for CHRISTmas not in the glamour, lights, and bling of the world, but in that humble setting where a baby was born in a manger. How about you? Are you looking for CHRISTmas?

Blessings,

Rick

Have you ever asked, “Why am I so discouraged?” Or “Why is my heart so sad?” I certainly have. Unfortunately, so often instead of doing the best thing to overcome my discouragement or get beyond my melancholy mindset, I try to find solace in the things of this world. You know, material things, stuff. Even escaping in front of the one eyed monster has been part of my self-prescribed remedy to battle discouragement at one time or another.

Yet God’s word has a completely different solution to these questions. It is found in (Psalm 42:5-6 NLT) ” ⁽⁵⁾ Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and ⁽⁶⁾ my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.“

Our hope is not found in the things of this life. I have had to learn that the only true source of joy and hope is found in one person…my Savior and my God. And like the psalmist writes. I will praise Him again. I hope you will praise Him too, when you are faced with the question, “Why am I so discouraged, why am I so sad?”

I often find myself amazed at the simplicity of having a deep relationship with God. This has been especially true during the past few weeks. And at the end of the day I have discovered that the more I draw near to God the more God draws near to me. And that is truly encouraging.

The past few weeks we I have been preaching through Romans 8. And the more I preach it the more I am overwhelmed at the goodness of God and His amazing love for his children. He has freed, empowered, adopted, transformed and loved us as no one else could.

And the best part about this relationship is that all I have had to do is accept it. God loved me first, God sent his Son for me. And all I have to do is accept those facts and understand there is nothing I could ever do to merit Gods fantastic, wonderful gift of salvation. And that truly amazing simplicity don’t you think?

Amazed by the goodness of God,

Rick

We have a new addition to our family! No it’s not a baby! It’s a kitten! I never thought I would enjoy a cat so much as I am with this little blessing from God and of course my daughter’s insistence that we take it in. It was part of a barn litter and of course the price was certainly right for the taking…free!

I am happy. Kathleen is happy. My children are happy! The only one who isn’t happy seems to be our dog. She is most displeased with this little bundle of fur. In fact every time she sees the kitten she begins to salivate! That can’t be good.

Not to fear, we are taking every precaution to prevent an untimely dining experience. I am reminded of this truth as I think about this family addition… “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)  This is going to work out just fine. I just know it.

Blessings,

Rick

I was able to visit my friend today in the hospital. What a blessing it was in many ways to share part of the morning with this Christian Brother. Even though he was lying in the hospital bed because of his surgery, it was I who left that room this morning feeling very encouraged. But that is just how it should be isn’t it? Christians no matter what their circumstances are able to be an encouragement to others.

I hope that I can be like that too. Our conversation was like a smooth cup of coffee, not to strong, not too weak…just the right balance and what a blessing it was. No wonder the proverbs say, “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9)

What a blessing it is to have a true friend who brings joy to your life.

Blessings,

Rick

What difference a few weeks can make. As I sit here enjoying my coffee and reflecting on the morning thus far, I find that running and waiting can have a lot in common. For example: I finally finished 2 miles on the road without walking! Major accomplishment for a guy who has really been away from running almost 18 years now! Now where does waiting come in to play? You might ask. First it comes in the form of my running partner who seems to be waiting on me to catch up.

He is 18, and could very easily leave me in the dust, but he is also patient and instead of showing me what great a athlete he is, he instead, keeps pace with me ever pushing without leaving me behind! He waits. And he knows that I have some goals to reach before I can be on the same level with him.

I also find that, this seems to parallel my walk with Christ. I am certainly not where I need to be by a long shot in the race that has been set before me. Yet, Christ is ever faithful with me. He is running with me, encouraging me to continue, to not give up, and to keep pressing on. And so I do. I keep running the race as to win the prize, and the race, like my two miles this morning is not a sprint…it requires a steady pace to make it to the end. It reminds me of my devotions this morning about the faithful servant who is praised when his master returns from a journey, because the servant did not sit around idol trying to act busy. He set out to make His master proud and he did a good job with the talents he had been given.

When the master returned he was rewarded with more gifts and abilities. What a great thing it will be for us to hear the same words from our Lord when He returns to take us home with Hi. Well done thou good and faithful servant, you have been faithful with a little now you will be given more.

Running and Waiting,

Rick

I woke up with this verse burning in my mind, (Proverbs 3:1-6 NIV) ” 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

So with a cup of coffee, (actually a mini carafe of coffee) I stepped out to our back porch to sit, pray and listen to the Lord. Kathleen and I have both recently had the impression that God wanted us to draw closer to Him and so it wasn’t really a surprise when this verse came to my mind.

Then I stumbled upon this verse found in (Psalm 130:7 NIV) “O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.“

That’s when it hit me…hope and trust go hand in hand. My friend Zach brought devotions in church this morning. He reminded us that we are to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Once again, God was telling me to trust in him, lean not on my own understanding and He will make my path straight, not maybe, not perhaps but that He will do it. How about you?

Do you need to spend a little more time quenching your thirst at the well that never runs dry? Is the Father gently reminding you to spend more time with Him? Remember with the Lord there is unfailing love and full redemption for those who put their hope in Him, and drink deeply from the living water.

You will not be disappointed, and you will find yourself wanting to come back again, and again, and again.  May He who is the Alpha and the Omega, find me faithful in all my ways.

Blessings,

Rick

Today was an awesome day in the fact that my son will soon be attending college! What an exciting time in his life, new adventures, new friends, and the pursuit of academic achievement and life enrichment! It was a wonderful day to share in the registration process especially after leaving the financial aide office! What a blessing that was for it was truly sweeeeeet! We found out that when it is all said and done, we will not be as financially disabled as we thought. In fact our eyes will still be above the water instead of looking up through a murky covering of college bill debt! We praise God for the blessings. The day was also bitter. For today I was told that America lost another soldier.

He didn’t die in a far off land. He was killed in a motorcycle accident a few milesfrom his home. He was a good man. His name was Mike and he was more than just a Soldier, he was a husband, just back from his honeymoon, he was a father, and he was a friend. I will miss Mike. It seems surreal when I recall that the last time I saw Mike was just 30 minutes before the accident. We meet, we laughed, we said goodbye, see you later…but later will never came, because Mike died in the hospital from his injuries.

This bitter-sweet day has certainly caused me to reflect on a number of issues, but most off all, it has caused me to reflect on the brevity of life for it is certainly bitter-sweet.  For example 19 years ago I would have never thought my son would grow up so fast and that I would be saying goodbye to a man heading off to college, where does the time go?  Is it possible that my son who was no longer than my forearm is now the fine Christian man that he is? I miss that little baby boy, but oh how I love the fine young man he has become. 

And I would have never thought that when I said goodbye to my friend Mike, on Tuesday evening, that it would be our final goodbye!  Yes life is certainly bitter-sweet!  This is why I pray that I will remember today.  I pray that I will never forget just how short life is and how uncertain life can be!  I also pray that the Lord will find us all faithful. And may our motto always be “CarpeDiem”.

Blessings,

Rick

Today started out rather simple…up at 5:30 and running by 6:00 A.M.!  Not bad for a 45 year old Pastor!  But the best part of my morning was sitting down with my wife and reading the Bible and enjoying a cup of coffee.  The company was great, the Scriptures refreshing and the coffee wasn’t bad either.