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Good morning! Hope you all are doing well today and enjoying some crazy January weather. I know this can’t last, but it certainly is nice. Couple of items for you today…
This Sunday we will be having our communion service. Prior to that, during the sermon, we will be ordaining Paul Richardson to the deacon ministry. Paul was called to this task last year and we have not taken time for his ordination. During the message portion of our worship time we will make this is a significant part of our celebration. Couples retreat…we are making plans for our annual retreat in Williamsburg. Stay posted for more information. The date will be the last weekend of February and the leaders will be Jim and Lynn Ailor from Newport News, VA. One of the events that Virginia Baptists do very well is its annual 21-C conference. This is an event hosted by St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond on February 2nd and 3rd. The purpose of 21-C is to help Virginia Baptist Churches move into the 21st century through innovative ministries, worship, outreach, etc. I have personally gained much from my involvement with them. This year they have pulled a major coup. The teaching team from Saddleback Church will be at 21-C for discussions on the PEACE plan. Let me encourage you, to mark your calendars for this event. Cost is $39 and it will be well worth your time. http://www.21-c.org/ Finally, a note regarding our Bible reading journal. Yesterdays and today’s Psalm reading touched on sleep. Psalm 3:5 (NIV) I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. alm 4:8 (NIV) I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Sleep is refreshing. A good night’s sleep is a valuable thing. But a night spent worrying or struggling over some issue can steal any rest you might get from a few hours prone in a bed. In fact, you might even wake up more grumpy than renewed. So how do we get that good sleep? What is David indicating here about sleep? Maybe he is addressing the fact that good sleep comes with peace. Probably not a peace with all of the external forces our lives face. But a peace that comes with a knowledge of God. Knowing Him personally. But, there are times when even when we are walking in the garden, hand in hand with Jesus that sleep and or peace seem hard to find. Check out another reading from today… Matthew 4:12 (NIV) When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. When John the Baptist was in prison, his fears caused him to question and doubt. Think about it, this is John the Baptist and he faced times of question. Do you think that he lost some sleep in that prison? My guess is…. YES! But then again, once he got word that Jesus was doing the things of the Messiah, he laid down to rest. There is no doubt to the challenges of life. They literally can suck the strength from your bones. Yet, the peace of God that passes all understanding can and will guard our hearts as we daily surrender to His Lordship. Just some thoughts…. |
