I want to take this opportunity to remind us of our mission at Cooks Hill.  “Developing fully devoted disciples for Jesus Christ through transformational worship, community and service”  I ask you to consider what it means to be a fully devoted disciple for Jesus Christ.  What would it look like to be fully devoted?  For me the best example I can think of is my relationship to my wife DeLynne.  I am fully devoted to her.  This does not mean  I am always with her, always talking to  her or even always thinking of her.  It does mean she is upper most in all of my choices and decisions.  Any decision of consequence would never be made without serious consideration or consultation with my wife.  I have committed to a steadfast and special relationship with her.  I have known some men and women over the years who are not very devoted to their spouses.  I have heard horror stories of men who come home with a brand new pick-up without discussion with their wife.  Even worse we have all heard of failure in marriage to commit only to intimacy with one’s spouse.  When DeLynne and I were married we lit the unity candle.  The two outside candles represented our separate lives up to that point.  We lit the middle candle and blew out the two outside candles to represent merging our lives together as one.  We didn’t cease to be separate people, but we merged our goals and dreams together.  Marriage was a choice to share our lives together.  To love, honor and respect each other above every other earthly relationship.

When I became a follower of Jesus Christ it was a very important choice for me.  Discipleship is a call to full devotion to Jesus Christ.  I would ask you to consider your devotion to Christ.  I would also ask you to commit your life to full devotion to Him.  Jesus is the lover of our souls and desires our love in return.

Sincerely, Pastor Mitch