From the Interim Pastor

Give Thanks to God

When Jim Forbes was still teaching at Union Seminary in New York City, he shared with a class I took a wonderful sermon about having an “attitude of gratitude,” based on the story of the prodigal son whose father welcomed him home with loving arms. Our attitudes shape our lifestyles and our health. They are reflected in our words, actions, and body language that others read. I saw such an attitude in Gene, my cheerful summer roommate while we both studied Hebrew who had little to live on and worked three part-time jobs. When he most needed help, a check arrived from some far off place which he would tithe, as he did every dollar earned. By his attitude of gratitude he revealed a lifestyle in which he believed and showed me that God met the needs God most wanted him to have met. (And his grades far surpassed mine that summer!) Christian community grows with such attitudes and practices.

After its destruction by an invading army the ancient community in Jerusalem is restored by men and women from all walks of life who found meaning by contributing what they could of their time, talent, and treasure. There were merchants and goldsmiths, priests and mayors, farmers and carpenters, families and their children. God needed them all to help, and help they did because they believed Nehemiah who said, “God’s hand is in this.” God’s hand is in this modern community known as Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green. With the same confidence, an attitude of gratitude, and our contributions, we put our hand in God’s and watch what God will build on the Green with us. All of us play a part. Can you say, “Lead me, Lord” with an attitude of gratitude for what God will do with what you offer to God?

Yours in the fellowship of Christ,

The Rev. Robert Foltz-Morrison
Interim Pastor
Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green

Past messages from the Interim Pastor:
October 2009
September 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009