Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2003

Grace Church of Burlington February 2, 2003 Are you a morning person? Recently, I was at the drive-through window making a deposit at my bank and in the course of the transaction, I asked the teller for a current balance.  She groused that it would take her a minute and that I would have to wait.  One of my kids who happened to be in the passenger seat, leaned over and whispered, "She’s not a morning person is she, Dad?" Unfortunately, I’m not sure if this particular clerk is even a "day person."  It’s rare to find her in a good mood.  Several years ago I seriously considered switching banks because of having to deal with her perpetual grouchiness.  Her sour mood was repulsive and almost cost her bank my business (not that a lack of my business would have exactly shut them down :).             I wonder, though, how much and how often our grouchiness costs the Kingdom? As believers, we are to be known for our grateful spirits.  We’ve been rescued from the worst thing that can ever happen to anyone – eternal judgment.  Any other problems or difficulties that we might deal with on this temporal earth are little more than inconveniences compared to an eternity in Hell.  Then, the first three fruits of the Spirit are love, joy and peace.  A grouchy, grumpy attitude is the direct opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit.             Yet, too many believers have succumbed to the grouchies...even their faces show it.  Rather than reflecting the joy of the Lord, they look like they begin the day with a glass of pickle juice.  For some, grouchiness has just become a bad habit.  It’s as addictive and as entrenched as smoking or biting one’s nails.  It’s their general approach to life. They complain and grouse about nearly everything.  And this time of year, with the cold and snow, seems to feed it.             Grouchiness, though, isn’t compatible with the new life.  It’s part of the old life.  Lost people grouse about nearly everything; the weather, traffic, waiting, government, etc.  It also repels people from us and from our Savior.  Who wants to be around a grouch? If they are not around us, then how can we ever share with them the good news of the Gospel?  Of course, if we’re sharing all of the "bad news" that we’re upset about, we may not get around to the good news.  And based on how joyful it has made us and changed our outlook on life, they may not want it.  None of us would ask someone to teach us how to cook who always burned the biscuits.  So why would a lost person be interested in hearing what our Savior can do in their life if He can’t even change our outlook and transform us from grouchy people to people of grace?             Our Heavenly Father wants us to all be morning people, living and dwelling in the morning rays of His rich love and grace!  Even one of the names in Scripture for Christ is the Morning Star.  So, are you a morning person?  Hopefully, His joy flows out of your life all day and all night long!!