Greetings New Life!
(church email 8/7/21)
Trusting this summer is going well for you! And, oh...how time is passing so quickly! The first week of August is here, and some are already thinking of "back to school" issues, whether grammar school, high school, or college. Yes, the clock is certainly ticking!
Just a quick word to all to keep Jesus in the mix of all that is happening around us these days. I have personally been spending time in the Psalms this summer and so often I read about the greatness of God in creation, in the heavens, and in the whole earth. It helps me to realize how big and strong and powerful our God really is. In case you may have forgotten or have lost focus, our God is bigger than all of our problems combined! I know it is sometimes difficult to focus on His greatness in the midst of a personal trial but by His grace when we pull back and take a deep breath and meditate on who He is our issues although great are reduced in comparison to His greatness and power. I encourage you today to take time to look upward where Jesus is and simply pause to reflect upon the fact you are His child and that He is a benevolent Father who loves and cares and provides for each of us in His own unique way.
The other day I glanced through some old emails I had written to Pamela while ministering in the great country of Nigeria in 2002. In one letter I wrote that at a church service I had just attended a couple dedicated their new baby and the baby's name was "Rose Sharon". I thought of the name and realized that in the Song of Solomon, the bride refers to herself as the "Rose of Sharon" as well as the "Lily of the Valley". The bridegroom quickly concurs. My comment to Pamela was, "I just didn't know how deep the valley could be till now". I was referring to the issues of life, the stresses, hardships, anxieties, and uncertainties we all face. But like the "rose" and like the "lily" we know that our God is there with us in the midst of our struggles and problems. Jesus is in "Sharon" with us. He is in "the valley" with us, rescuing us, helping us, cleaning us up, making us new and useful. He reaches down and He reaches out to us regardless of where we find ourselves. He is faithful. He never fails.
Hope to see many of you this Sunday as we continue in our preaching/teaching through the book of 1 John. If you can not attend, please join us on Livestream at 10:45. Also, there is always the Tuesday/Thursday Livestream Talks each week at 12; the Noon Zoom each Wednesday with Bill Unger; and the Wednesday Night in the Word Bible Study each Wednesday at 7. Thank you to the many good souls that join us each week. The invite is always there for all the rest to join in!
Remember to keep New Life in your prayers: our mission's emphasis, our newly functioning Kids' Ministries, our outreaches to the community, our finances, and our overall efforts to keep in step with the Lord during these continuing unique days. God is able!!
All For Jesus!
Pastor Rick and Pamela
