Why I Love Birthdays

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Today happens to be the birthday of someone I know well. I was at his birth in Tulsa – Mark Steven McAdow! Now, before you judge me for shamelessly mentioning my birthday in this online article, well … it actually might be well deserved. But my wonderful bride did post it on Facebook today, so you’re not the first to know.

Think a minute about your own birthday – it is an incredibly special day. The Psalmist wrote:
“For you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.” -Psalms 139:13-18

I love birthdays because they point us to our Creator and Heavenly Father. They remind me of God’s great faithfulness one more year. He is Semper Fi - always faithful. This last year the Lord allowed me to celebrate:
 - Robin’s late sister Linda’s life.
 - the marriage of our daughter Lauren to Pete Craver.
 - our 40th wedding anniversary.
 - Robin’s "significant" high school reunion.
 - and to be with you.

God is good. I love birthdays because we all have one. We share this life in community together.

I also love birthdays because we are reminded how much we are loved. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness,” says the Lord in Jeremiah 31:3. Others express their love for us as well with Facebook comments, cards, gifts, texts, phone calls, hugs and singing, too. I’ve been serenaded today on the phone, online and in person. God is love. “We love because He first loved us.” - I John 4:19. Thanks to all who have made my birthday so special already today. I am among one of the most blessed men in the world.

But there’s another birthday that’s even more important. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about it in John 3:3, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Have you been born again? That’s the most critical birth of all! All you must do is to ask Jesus in prayer, and you can be born again. Remember, either we’re born twice and die once, or we’re born once and die twice.

Happy birthday, my friends!  Looking forward to worshipping our Lord Jesus with you this Sunday.

Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark

Willow View men: Be sure to join us for breakfast at the church this Saturday, Nov. 9, at 8 a.m. Pastor Scott is our featured speaker.

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