If you have emailed us here at the church, I wanted to let you know that we've had a glitch in our email system. The glitch was that no emails went out to non-hhbc.net email addresses for a few days. So, if you emailed one of us and we have not responded that's why. We got the system fixed yesterday and now we're having to go back and figure out who we sent emails to and then resend them. Just a reminder to all of us that life sends us little glitches along the way. The key is how we respond to them. I know I've failed and passed that test, as some of you are aware of, but the goal is to handle each glitch in a way that honors Christ and shows forth Christ-like attitudes.
While life brings us glitches it also gives us an opportunity for hitches. Hitches can be defined in multiple ways. The dictionary mentions a hitch being a jerk or pull. It also used the statement, "he had a hitch in his walk", to define hitch. We often here about getting married that two people are getting "hitched", which lends to my use of the term this morning. The definition that I want to use this morning is also one that the dictionary gives us, and that is to hook up a trailer to a car or a farm implement to a tractor.
You see at this time of year we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Jesus came to save us from our sin. He makes salvation possible for us. However, and stay with me, salvation is not perfect. Hold on don't call me a heretic yet. From God's side, salvation is perfect, He forgives and saves. However from our side it's not perfect. While Jesus is any man or woman's Savior, the problem is not every man or woman wants a Savior. At one point in every person's life they need to hitch, to make a connection with God through repentance, confession and submission. Jesus said the majority of people in life will never hitch to God (Matthew 7:13 - 14).
Life also allows us to make hitches to other believers so that we "do life together". It gives us the opportunity to know the reality of "iron sharpening iron" (Proverbs 27:17). We use the word connect around here but no matter which word you use, we are connected by Christ and are given a great opportunity to be disciples together as we honor Him and share Christ with a lost world.
This morning I want to challenge you to hitch your life to His. To recognize that by connecting with Him not only will you know salvation but you'll know life. This Christmas season, stay connected to Him and know the blessing of walking in the Spirit.
Don't forget - the next two Sundays there will be one worship service at 10:30 a.m. A slight change in our schedule because of the holidays.
Also, pray for your Leadership Team as they seek to lead during this time of transition. If you would like to submit a name to be considered to serve on the Pastor Search Team, please email that to Kathy Straw at kstraw@hhbc.net Don't forget to ask the person if you can nominate him/her and remember the qualities that I shared with you earlier in the week. Being nominated does not mean that person will be selected.
I'll see you Sunday,
Pastor Carl