A New Year Greeting from Russell & Elaine Morrow

 

Happy New Year,

Beloved Family, Friends, Church Family, Colleagues, and Coworkers, to All Who Read this Letter.

As we resume the rhythms of everyday life now that we have crossed the threshold to the new year of 2024, we leave behind the diversity of life experiences in 2023 that ranged from joy to sorrow, a baby’s first cry and a loved one’s last breath, and the tension between the yin and yang of human relationships that is manageable for some and intolerable for others.

Yet, the manifestation of God’s love is present all around us and has maintained a stronghold amid the chaos of “man’s inhumanity to man.” As difficult as it may be, there are always reasons to give God thanks and praise for who he is and what He has done and continues to do to reveal his justice, love, grace, mercy, healing, and restoration. For example, we see this in the 2023 iteration of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple Musical.”

For the followers of Christ - Protégés of Jesus, the true meaning of Advent and Christmas is our spiritual segue into a New Year. With renewed faith, hope, and love that Grace Divine empowers, we can trust our hope in Jesus Christ, be delivered from every weight that holds us back, and walk in victory through Jesus Christ, who conquered death.

Are you familiar with the song We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder? As with many spirituals, the origins of “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” are unknown. An undocumented account indicates that the spiritual dates are between the wide span of 1750 and 1875. Enslaved Africans found fertile connections between this narrative and their existential experience and spirituality[i]

As we resume the rhythms of everyday life, be reminded that New Year is a good starting place for the next round on Jacob’s Ladder.

In 2024, Elaine and I pray that you open your heart and mind to the presence of God and see his justice, love, grace, mercy, healing, and restoration in ways you have not seen or imagined and be empowered by divine grace. Have an Empowering 2024.

Grace & Peace,

Reverend Dr. Russell & 1st Lady Elaine Morrow


[i] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-we-are-climbing-jacobs-ladder

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Embracing God's Immutable Love

Image
  Embracing God's Immutable Love Scripture Reading: Mark 3:20-35 By Dr. Russell M. Morrow On St. Johns Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, the magnificent Angel Oak tree, estimated to be over 400 years old, has withstood the test of time, enduring countless storms and environmental changes. Its sprawling branches offer shelter and refuge to all who seek its shade, standing as a testament to resilience and endurance. Just as this ancient oak remains steadfast and unyielding, God's immutable love has endured from the beginning of time through every age. In our scripture reading, we witness Jesus facing significant challenges. His family thought He was out of His mind due to the intense demands of His ministry, and the scribes accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebul. Despite these false accusations and misunderstandings, Jesus responded with patience and explicit teaching. He dismantled the scribes' claims by explaining that a divided house cannot stand and emph...
Read more

Get A Piece of the Rock

Image
Get A Piece of the Rock By Rev. Dr. Russell M. Morrow Text: Psalms 61 This Psalm of David was set in the background of David's trouble as King of Israel. King David is in big trouble,   He is in exile from Jerusalem in defense of his kingdom.   His nation was divided. And his son Absalom was killed by his soldiers. All this was the result of family problems based on David's sin with Bathsheba that seemingly put a curse on his family, specifically his children. So, he prays to God: Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. This passage reminded me of the Prudential Life Insurance Company and their famous logo of The Rock of Gibraltar in Southern Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. Are you ...
Read more