The Missing Piece

On Sunday, Welles and I went to "Worship in the Chapel" at Dawson. Tim Simpson was standing in for Todd Harrington, and really preached an excellent sermon that I think we all can relate to this time of year. He started the sermon by handing out puzzle pieces to each person in the congregation. He talked about how the most exciting part of finishing a large puzzle is getting to the last few pieces, and inevitably, one piece is missing when it comes to the very end of the puzzle. However, in relation to our Christian walk, we need to recognize that Jesus offers the Peace that we may be missing in our lives. The sermon revolved around the following verses:

• Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
  
• Philippians 4:6-7 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
  
• Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Tim talked about how hard it can be to accept the Peace of God and to give thanks in times of trouble--when everything seems to be crumbling around you. He shared that there was a fire in his family home when he was a sophomore in high school, and even as his house burned to the ground, he was able to give thanks (that he and his family got out safely, that he was awakened as the fire started and able to wake his parents and sister, that the fire was not at his elderly neighbor's home as she would not have been able to get out easily, etc.) He talked about how in that time of trouble, he felt the Peace of God. God's peace is available to all of us, and he wants us to seek Him.

We did not send out Christmas Cards this year, but we would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! May you experience God's Peace as you celebrate the birth of His Son.

Wayside Cross at Camp Winnataska