Green Pastures and Still Waters
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Has that ever been your answer? Someone asked you, “How are things going with ________?” And, you had to answer, “It’s complicated.” Isn’t it crazy how complicated human relationships can become? One would think after thousands of years of human history we might start to get a handle on our interactions with others. Sometimes we can honestly say we don’t even know how it became so messed up. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that when our hurts get tangled up with another person’s hurts, strange things can happen. You have probably heard the little phrase, “Hurt people hurt people.” Well, that would include all of us! We’ve all been wounded somewhere along the way to one degree or another. Some of us have learned how to suppress our symptoms or hide our wounds but eventually, the closer we get to one another, the “Velcro Effect” happens and we get stuck. That’s what happened with Paul and the church in Corinth. What started out wonderfully became complicated within a few years. How did Paul deal with that? If you can make it to church Sunday in person or on-line, we’ll take a look at the answer from 2 Corinthians 1. Hint: It has something to do with the grace of Christ 
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Webster defines atmosphere as “the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth.” We probably use the word more casually, as in “the pervading mood or social environment.” We talk about the atmosphere of a restaurant or a meeting. For example, sometimes we use words like these; the atmosphere is “electric,” or “blue.” Various factors affect the atmosphere, things like health, weather, circumstances, mood and even music. Atmosphere is also affected by the people in the room. You probably won’t read about what I’m about to write outside of Christian circles but the Person who can really affect atmosphere in powerful ways is Christ. Where His presence is recognized and His active assistance received, even the most difficult circumstances can have a different atmosphere. The reign of Christ is present. He is among us. It takes some discipline and effort to breathe His air but people have been doing it for the past 2,000 years and before. My Grandma Stark loved the 91st Psalm, think about atmosphere when you read this, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."” Breathe deeply in there my friends. The grace of Christ awaits you! More about that this coming Sunday as the Lord allows.