When the day…at hand comes, we want to be sure that we are on the “right side of the hatch”

After spending many months on a space station, one of our U.S. astronauts was homesick, with her ride home delayed an extra 6 weeks by hurricanes and mechanical problems.  Her prolonged stay in space at the time made it the longest of any American astronaut.  Right before her return ride to Earth, she let everyone know that she was paying attention to the time, commenting: “You can rest assured I am not going to be on the wrong side of the hatch when they close it.”

In Rom.13 Paul reminded us to notice the time and what to do in light of it.  …you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.  So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly as in the daytime…  (Rom.13:11-13a)

When the day…at hand comes, we want to be sure that we are on the “right side of the hatch” (are walking in the light with Jesus) — and be sure that others are too!  While we praise God for the ones who have recently moved to the “right side of the hatch,” we acknowledge that there are so many around us who have not.

Over the next couple of months, our focus will be on truly being “NEIGHBORS” for Jesus’ sake.  You will be asked to “own” your neighbors and neighborhoods and to help us adopt a couple of Alvarado’s largest neighborhoods.

Several events over the next couple of months provide unique opportunities to intentionally cross the paths of some or our neighbors.  Sun, May 15th is our Law Enforcement Appreciation Day…..Sat, June 11th is a church-wide picnic (bring a neighbor)….June 13-17 is VBS.  Let’s start thinking NEIGHBORS as we move into the summer and make sure more move to the “right side of the hatch.”

In Jesus,

Wade