Pastor Article 01-04-26

Many people hope that the coming year will be  perfect - no illness, no losses, no inflation and no maintenance problems at home or church. The idea is that avoiding negative events will guarantee happiness, but that's unrealistic. Some believe in this mindset, even though it often leads to disappointment because challenges are a normal part of life in our imperfect world. Personally, I want the upcoming year to be wonderful, but more importantly, I aim to maintain a positive attitude and deep joy, regardless of circumstances. If my happiness depends solely on what happens around me, I'll likely end up discouraged. It's possible to experience hardship yet keep a good attitude or be physically unwell yet spiritually thriving. My joy comes from the Lord, not from material wealth or personal health. Admittedly, it's easier to feel cheerful when things are going well, but God provides guidance on how to remain joyful even in tough times. I invite you to join me as we explore biblical disciplines cultivating lasting joy. Let's aspire to make this next year meaningful, whatever challenges may arise.

Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus