A Few Thoughts...
Trust; reliance; desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment—this is the definition of hope. In our New Testament hope is the expectation of good. Hope is one thing many are lacking, even in our community. Lack of hope leads to despair, depression, and defeat. Yet the greatest hope of all is with us always and His name is Jesus!
This week I’ve heard about two souls in our community who had no hope and because of that they sought to end their pain and grief by ending their lives. It’s a very sad event and my heart goes out to those families.
I share this to encourage you don’t be ashamed or afraid to share our faith, our joy, and our hope we have in Jesus! A kind word, a loving gesture, or a note of compassion can make an eternal difference in someone’s life.
Jesus declared we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13—14)—we can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our family, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and friends. Please remember, sometimes what seems insignificant or routine to us can make a lasting impression on another.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22—23).
Pastor Dave & Stacy
Something To Ponder
- Even in nature we can see the beauty and glory of God!
Be more concerned with what God thinks about you than what people think about you!
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29)
Jenny Lind was known as “The Swedish Nightingale” during her very successful career as an operatic singer. She became one of the wealthiest artists of her time, yet she left the stage at a time when she was singing her best. And, she never returned to it.
Countless people speculated as to the reason for her leaving, and most people wondered how she could give up so much applause, fame, and money. For her part, she seemed content to live in privacy in a home by the sea.
One day a friend found her on the sea sands, her Bible on her knees, looking out into the glorious glow of a sunset. As they talked, the friend asked, “Madame Goldschmidt, how is it that you ever came to abandon the stage at the height of your success?”
She answered quietly, “When every day it made me think less of this (laying a finger on her Bible) and nothing at all of that (pointing to the sunset), what else could I do?”
The world may never understand your decision to follow God’s way. But then, perhaps God cannot understand a decision to pursue what the world offers.
Updates Requested
If your phone numbers (home or cell) or address (home or e-mail) has changed recently please contact Pastor Dave with your updated information.
All home phone numbers and many cell numbers are used on our Phone Tree—the system we use to contact our church family concerning prayer concerns as well as notifications to changes in our service schedules.
To update any of your numbers or to be included/deleted on our Phone Tree simply call Pastor Dave’s cell phone with the information. Remember...only the numbers you have approved are used on our Phone Tree System.
If your e-mail or home address has changed simply send me an e-mail with your updated information. Home addresses are used for newsletters primarily and directory information for all members—e-mail addresses are used for quick informal correspondence (as frequently or infrequently as you desire and are not in the church directory)...neither are shared with any outside our church family.