A Word From the Pastor
Rev. L. David Mortenson, Senior Pastor
As the great classic rocker, Vincent Damon Furnier sang, School's out for summer. Oh you do not know who that is? Of course, his stage name is Alice Cooper. Here is a man who in the 1960's had left his faith and went on the road. Spent his night on stage singing, drinking and partying. But that was catching up to him. In 1983, he hit rock bottom. After three years, he returned to the stage on January 2, 1986. He says, "I went in with the attitude of, ‘I never want to touch another drink, I never want to take another drug,'" he says. "And when I came out I was totally healed from it. It was totally gone. I wasn't hiding bottles around, I wasn't sneaking drugs, I didn't have a relapse. I give God all the credit on that one, because it was a miracle."
That is what God can do. If you give your life over to Christ, He can and will heal you. From whatever or wherever your life is taking you. This is a perfect example of dying to the old. Alice Cooper died to himself and was reborn. He became Vincent Damon Furnier again. Getting back to his Christian roots. He calls himself a born-again Christian.
Life will take the graduates in many different directions. We must be vigilant in continuing to minister to them. To pray for them. And to be there for them. Showing God's love to them as He shows it to us. Also, letting them know that no matter how low life seems to be, God can get you through. Just like he got Vincent Damon Furnier through.
Yes, schools out for summer. But God is never far away. He is only as far as we let Him get. If we let Him get any distance, then our lives seem to get out of control. If we keep close to Him, life, no matter the struggles, never seems to be too much.
Evil and temptation can get the better of anyone. Even the best of God's creation, man. We just need to always look forward and not backwards. Just as a car has a large windshield and a small rearview mirror. Keep your eyes focused on the big prize at the end of the road, paradise. And not focused on the life that was. Help them to keep rolling forward to climb the stairway to heaven and keep away from the highway to hell. God bless and have a safe and fun summer.
And don't forget, Sunday mornings at 9:00 we are always here.
Pastor David