New Springs News

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Read more of April 7 Newsletter here. New Springs Community Weekly Newsletter April 7, 2016   From Pastor Dave Dear Friends, I'm struggling with a fairly significant case of writer's block today. So I'll take this opportunity to quote Henri Nouwen, a favorite author of mine, from his book The Way of the Heart. I've shared this before, on Facebook I think, but it is worth a second (and third) look, and worthy of reflection. While he writes to those in positions of church leadership, his challenge is for all of us.  Just look for a moment at our daily routine. In general we are very busy people. We have many meetings to attend, many visits to make, many services to lead. Our calendars are filled with appointments, our days and weeks filled with engagements, and our years filled with plans and projects. There is seldom a period in which we do not know what to do, and we move through life in such a distracted way that we do not even take the time and rest to wonder if any of the things we think, say, or do are worth thinking, saying, or doing. We simply go along with the many "musts" and "oughts" that have been handed on to us, and we live with them as if they were authentic translations of the Gospel of our Lord. People must be motivated to come to church, youth must be entertained, money must be raised, and above all everyone must be happy. Moreover, we ought to be on good terms with the church and civil authorities; we ought to be liked or at least respected by a fair majority of our parishioners; we ought to move up in the ranks according to schedule; and we ought to have enough vacation and salary to live a comfortable life. Thus we are busy people just like all other busy people, rewarded with the rewards which are rewarded to busy people! -Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart.  Into our busy-ness we hear the voice of God, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) I think that may be more than enough for today. In Christ's Love, Pastor Dave