Cochran Chapel United Methodist Church

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8:30 in Cox Chapel (Traditional)
9:30 Sunday School in Education Bldg.
11:00 in Sanctuary (Blended)


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Phone: 214-352-4889
Fax: 214-352-6649
Email: office@cochranchapel.org
Location:9027 Midway Road Dallas, Texas 75209

Pastor's Blog

Faithful

Posted by Joseph Stabile

Wow, it has been too long since I have blogged on this site. I am so sorry that I have been away for this and ask for your forgiveness and indulgence.

This the first Sunday of March is Transfiguration Sunday. We have all heard the story of Jesus taking three of his most trusted disciple up the mountain and then being changed in their very presence. He appears on the mountain top with Moses and Elijah, the two greatest figures of the old Testament. And then there is the "voice" once again telling them how pleased God the Father is Jesus and all that he is doing and saying. He is after all the perfect reflection of the Father himself.

It would seem that all of this would cause great excitement and joy among the disciples but in reality what we notice about them is that they are afraid. And, then Jesus assures them not to be afraid; just one of the 365 time that we are warned in the scriptures to not be fearful. What would be your response if you suddenly found yourself in the presence of the Holy? Would it be one of joy or one of fear? My experiences of sensing the presence of the Holy One so very near caused me to humble myself in awe and reverence. I remember falling to the floor and prostrating myself, bowing before what I sensed was my Creator and Lord. And in that moment I was both filled with immense joy and appropriate fear; only to experience an overwhelming feeling of the love and mercy and faithfulness of a loving Father.

Often I have been asked what is the source of my great faith and hope in life after death. My answer is now and will always be the same. In the midst of all of my many sins and faults and failings, and in the flow of all of my gifts and graces, I have found God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit to be always "faithful" to me; and I have no reason whatsoever to doubt that God will not continue to be faithful to me in the future. As the old spiritual sings: "I've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His holy Word, He's never failed me yet. Oh, Oh, Oh can't go back, He''s never failed me yet!"

Posted March 01, 2011 | View

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