Pastor's Corner
A message from Pastor Andy Ross...

Disciples, Not Christaholics! - February 18, 2005

Read Mark 10:35-45.

Dear friends,

We're often raised just to love ourselves and seek our own advancement - no matter what! Remember the big self-esteem movement of the 70s? Well, it's still with us to a large degree. Just think of the cultural slogans that have stuck with us through the years:

"Follow your bliss" (Joseph Campbell); "I love what you do for me" (Toyota); "Just do it" (Nike); "Be all that you can be" (US Army); "You deserve a break today" (McDonald's); "You're worth it!" (L’Oreal).

The writer, Calvin Miller, has found that some Christians essentially are still just living in a way which seeks only their own good - and they just enjoy the highs and happiness of going to church. He calls them "Christaholics" who suffer from "Christaholism." They get a lot of joy out of church, but they're not really following Jesus in terms of serving and sacrificing from their own life.

In Mark 10:35-45 we enter a scene in which the disciples are seeking their "break today!" And Jesus talks to them about how real greatness, real internal fulfillment is found ... in serving and caring about others.

So today, "be all that you can be" - by serving Jesus as you serve others.

God's blessings to you this day!

Andy Ross
Pastor