New Hope Headlines
Souper Bowl Sunday
February 7th the youth will be collecting money to help hungry people in our community. These funds will be sent to the Golden Strip Emergency Relief Center.
Winter Jam
The youth will be going to Winter Jam at the Bi-Lo Center on Saturday, February 13th. See Pastor Tim for more information.
From the Desk of the Pastor
February 1, 2009
Hope That Doesn't Disappoint
I can still remember those words from a few weeks ago at the doctor's office: "You've overpaid us." When the financial secretary told me those words, my mind began spinning off ways I could use that money. My imagination raced like a Formula One driver. "This could be big," I thought. I was funding my kid's college education, solving the problem of world hunger and helping those less fortunate all within the span of a few seconds. As she was reviewing my information she said, "Here it is. We owe you nine dollars."
Wow, nine dollars. That could get me a couple of grilled chicken Mcwraps, apple pie and a large hazelnut cappuccino at MacDonald's.
Some hopes fail to deliver. Some expectations sputter and flop like an untied balloon. Remember the shining-armor boyfriend who became the heartbreaking two-timer? The fast-track promotion that landed you in the forgotten basement cubicle? The cross-country move you made to "find yourself"? You found yourself, all right. You found yourself with higher rent and fewer friends.
"If only" dreams lurk in each biography. "If only I could find a mate... a career... a bright red, affordable '65 Mustang." The only barrier between you and bliss is an "if only." Sometimes you cross it. You find the mate or the career or the Mustang and... you count the nine dollars and sigh.
Life has letdowns. But Jesus offers us so much more.
1 Peter 3:4 (MSG) tells us, "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven-and the future starts now!"
Can Jesus actually replace death with life? He did a convincing job with His own. We can trust Him because He has been there. He's been to Bethlehem, wearing rags, suckling milk and shivering against the cold. He's been to Nazareth, where He made deadlines and paid bills; to Galilee, where He recruited disciples; to Jerusalem, where He stared down critics and stood up against cynics.
We have our Nazareth's as well-demands, due dates, and unpaid bills. Jesus wasn't the last to build a team; accusers didn't disappear with Jerusalem's Temple. Why seek Jesus' help with your challenges? Because He's been there.
But most of all, Jesus has been to the grave. Buried amidst the cadavers. Numbered among the dead. Body wrapped and grave sealed. The cemetery. He's been buried there.
You haven't yet. But you will be. And since you will, don't you need someone who knows the way out?
Remember that nine dollars? I'm not counting on it for much. But the promise of 1 Peter 3:4? I've long since deposited that check. It bears interest every day and will forever.
Yours will too. Until next time...
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan Cox