Special Words for the End of the Journey

Words of hope and encouragement from our bishop

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” II Corinthians 13:14

It is truly hard to believe that we are entering the final quarter of the year and that this will be the last publication until 2008! Where did 2007 go? In just a few days Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the celebration of a new year will be upon us, and my challenge today is to find the special words that might give meaning to the last days of this year, and hope for the days ahead.

In trying to combine all the emotions and feelings of the holiday season, coupled with a farewell message that brings to an end a wonderful year in the life of OIMC, I turned to Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. In this chapter and verse (13:14), Paul bestows upon the members three thougths which I have taken the liberty to turn into prayers. Here they are: First, I pray that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with each and every one of you. This prayer is for the grace that helps us put our lives in order, allows us to agree with one another, and live in peace. In each difficulty, in every circumstance and in the midst of our problems, I pray for the healing grace, the saving grace, and quality of grace that you may be able to stand firm in times like these.

Secondly, I pray that the love of God, freely given, the gift of His Fatherhood, which makes all of us sons,daughters, and, if so, heirs will be with us throughout the year and into the next. May God so love you that it demands the highest of you, thus allowing you to love others as God has loved you.

And lastly, I pray that the harmonizing power of the Spirit binds us into ONE fellowship. Let this prayer be the tongue of fire resting above our heads, refining and enriching us with life and personality.

Thank you OIMC for a challenging and productive year. Dee and I consider it an honor to work among you and to love you as you have loved and accepted us.

May God less you all!

Bishop Hayes