Intentional Encouragement

     Winter is fighting to loosen its grip for some reason this year.  We had snow flurries in the air this week and my sister (who lives in northeastern New York) had 9 inches of snow.  Lots of my friends are frustrated with the groundhog and his prognostication of an early spring.  And yet; as with every year, spring is coming.      I love springtime.  I can’t wait until the flowers begin to break through the cold ground for their first peeks at the warmth of new beginnings.   I love watching those little buds on the trees come into bloom.   I like watching the grass green up and make the lawns pretty again.      Spring time is all about new beginnings.   I love that.   Most people talk about the New Year as their time for new beginnings.   I'm starting to think that it would be better to use nature’s new beginning time.   The weather warms up, and even people seem generally happier.   Additionally, spring gives me a chance to get a break in my thinking and get some nice fresh

     As I was preaching on Sunday morning, I used some references to what we enjoy because of our position "in Christ."  They really encouraged my heart and seemed to bless others, so I thought I'd share them with you with very little commentary. [We] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24) ...you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) ...the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2) Nothing, including "anything...in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39 But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph. 2:13)      We have so much because of our relationship to God through Christ that it is almost impossible t