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Dear San Marco Church Family: We are approaching the annual “spring forward” time change this weekend. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday evening. I like the extra hour of daylight that comes with daylight savings time, but I sure hate losing that hour of sleep when we set the clocks ahead! The time change directs my thinking toward the meaning of time. We say that time is our most valuable resource, and yet I sometimes squander my time by unnecessary worry and distractions. I am sometimes reluctant to commit to how I will spend my time on any given day, and yet when I do carefully plan my days I receive the benefit that comes with honoring time as God’s gift to me. The writer of Ecclesiastes, speaking of God, says that “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” This is a mysterious line that extols the power of God to transform everything in our world. With the violence of war, the challenges of poverty and oppression throughout our world, and so many reasons for concern, we need the reminder that an all powerful, loving God is at work among us. Perhaps the best use of our time is to look for how God is present in our conversations with family and friends as well as with strangers and even with enemies. I had my last conversation with my father before he died more than 29 years ago. Of course, at the time I did not know it would be our last conversation. Yet I am grateful that it was a beautiful conversation in which we were able to express genuine love and affection for each other. My only regret is that I was in a hurry that day, and I wish I had asked more questions and lingered in the conversation. This is a reminder to me to cherish the time with those I love as a sacred gift. My prayer for you is that you have the awareness and patience to cherish time as God’s gift every day. This Sunday, March 8, the scripture will be Romans 5: 1-11. I am working on a message entitled “Reasons to Boast.” Romans is arguably the most theological book in the New Testament as it is filled with insights about the nature of God and humanity. I encourage you to read the scripture before worship, and to pray for our worship team each week. Do you have questions about faith? Do you want to learn more about specific topics mentioned in scripture? If so, send me an email with your questions and ideas at stevehart100@gmail.com. I would be honored to incorporate your questions and interests in future sermons. I look forward to seeing you Sunday! Steve
stevehart100@gmail.com
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