Pastor's Note
A Message from Rev. HeyYoung Horton, Senior Pastor

Our church property is blessed to contain some beautiful gardens and I have heard wonderful stories about each one. I learned how one was an Eagle Scout project and another was started by someone planting Easter flowers that had been
left behind. Most recently, one was dedicated to a loved one. We are blessed to have a few dedicated people who come and tend the gardens during the week, but unfortunately, I see weeds start to grow in between their care. Since I work at the church throughout the week, I decided to assist in the gardening. I do not have a lot of time to spend in the garden, so last year, I came up with a plan to pull out 10 weeds a day. I was so dedicated to that mission that
during my break from church work, I would go out and pull 10 weeds.

Unfortunately this year, I was not able to maintain my mission. I fully realized its effects September 2023 when after a rain storm, I noticed a lot more large weeds in the garden. They really thrive in this beautiful Cape May weather and after pulling over 35 of them, I saw there were still a lot left.

Then I thought, what if I could discipline myself back into my old plan of pulling 10 weeds per day? It would be easier work and gardens would be prettier.

Sometimes we make decisions to do something to help our physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. This happens a lot at the New Year or after a doctor's visit. We start out strong with good intentions but often we fail to keep it up. Sometimes we need to discipline ourselves.

In order to be successful to keep a decision, the first step is make it something simple. Things like I will walk 10 minutes every day, I'll say some encouraging words to at least two people, I'm going to pray five minutes each day, I'm going to read a chapter of the Bible each morning, etc. are a good place to start. Then discipline yourself to keep your decision. Just like removing weeds from the garden, when small positive things accumulate your life will be better. The people around you will also be blessed by your healthy life style!

Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)