Faith Presbyterian Church of Valley Village

5000 Colfax Avenue • Valley Village • CA • 91601 • (818)766-8103 • Fax: (818)766-2987

Pastor's Perspective:

Picture of Pastor Kim Strutt

Our God Is Continually Doing A New Thing

By Rev. Dr. Kim Strutt

Happy New Year - 2010!

Well here we are at the beginning of the new year. None of us really knows what's ahead in 2010. But we always have some great guidance for our journey from the Word of God. Realizing that I was recently drawn again to a passage from Isaiah, chapter 43 that contains three exhortations:

#1 - DON'T CLING TO THE PAST.

As the Israelites headed out of Egypt toward the Promised Land they had some wonderful memories of days gone by, but in clinging to those memories they were reluctant to move ahead. Remembering can be a good thing, particularly if it moves us to action. But God doesn't want us to be held back by patterns of the past. God wants His people to follow Him into the future.

#2 - DON'T GRUMBLE ABOUT THE PRESENT.

During the Exodus wanderings God's people grumbled and complained about virtually every aspect of their lives, individually and corporately. But as we have seen in scripture and in other settings, grumbling and a critical spirit can quench the Spirit of God in a believer and in the church, and it can keep God's people in a spiritual desert for years! Fortunately, as we turn to God, we discover again that He wants to put an end to our wanderings and lead us to a better place.

#3 - TRUST GOD.

God speaking through the Prophet Isaiah (chapter 43:18-19) says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Our God is a creative God and He is continually in the process of doing a new thing.

We don't yet know what that new thing will be, but in the meantime we know what to do - love God, love one another, love our neighbors, be filled with the Spirit, and follow in Jesus' steps. All this in the awareness that for God's people the best is yet to come! So, may God bless you and yours, and may this new year be the best ever!

Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Kim

Enjoy God's Blessings, Share God's Love With Others

By Rev. Dr. Kim Strutt

Fall is upon us, the leaves are changing color, and today it is even raining! Here come Thanksgiving and Advent.

For many of us, this is one of the most enjoyable times of the year, highlighted by special times of worship and fellowship as we reflect on the wonderful gift God has given us in Jesus Christ.

During the days ahead, I encourage you to take some personal quiet time for reading the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus and the beginning of His ministry. To assist you in your quiet time, we will again have an Advent devotional guide available for you by Thanksgiving Sunday.

During these days, we also want to remember that the “holiday season” can be a lonely time for many people. Some are grieving the loss of loved ones and others feel isolated and alone for a variety of reasons. Reaching out to those who are going through hard times can be a blessing for us as well.

Julie and I feel privileged to be part of a church that has a wonderful tradition that ministers to others in so many ways - visiting shut-ins, preparing food baskets for those who are struggling financially, helping the homeless, sending greetings and gifts to our military and our missionaries, sending the Good News out to our neighbors by what we do as well as by what we say.

Once again this year, as we move toward Thanksgiving, we want you to know that we are thankful for you. As we gather around the table on Thanksgiving Day, our prayer will include thanking God for the kindness you have shown to us and to others.

May this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas be blessed for you and those close to you. During these special days, may you take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to enjoy God’s blessings and to share God’s love with others.

Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Kim

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
(1 Corinthians 12: 27)