Slideshow image

Hi everyone!  

I hope your week is going well. I’m enjoying this streak of sunny days that we’ve experienced lately. How about you? I know the rain will descend on us again (and I know we need it, along with improved snowpack in the higher elevations). I don’t really mind rain and fog, either—there’s something cozy about sitting, hot coffee in hand, and looking out the window at the splash of puddles and the refraction of light through the mist. But as a person who grew up on the prairies, I must confess that my mood does brighten when the sun comes out, and especially when it stays with us for a week or two. 

I wonder if the psalmist had that mood in mind when he wrote the final verses of Psalm 97. They read like this: 

The Lord guards the lives of His faithful ones, and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.  (Psalm 97:10b-11) 

May you sense that our Lord is watching over and protecting you this week, shining His light on you and bringing you joy. Aren’t we all glad that His love is more consistent than sunshine in Vancouver! 

I look forward to gathering and praising His name again this Sunday. If you’re wanting to read ahead in preparation for the next installment of our study, we’re going to spend one more week in 1 Corinthians 8-10 before moving on to the next section. This past week we focused on the main theme in the passage, which has to do with learning to disagree in a Christlike way when we face challenging issues (like the question of food offered to idols, which was certainly a challenge in 1st century Corinth). This coming Sunday we’ll give a little thought to some comments Paul added between 1 Corinthians 9:24 and 10:22. In some ways these are an “aside” to Paul’s main point in the passage. But they are important—important enough for him to invest a chapter’s worth of teaching—so we really should give them a bit of attention before moving on. 

Once again, if you have time to read through all 3 chapters in full, that will let you get a sense of these verses in context. But our main focus will be on the cautions Paul raises between 1 Corinthians 9:24 and 10:22. 

Thanks for your prayers for me as I prepare. I’m very conscious that some of these sections in 1 Corinthians are tricky to navigate, and I want to be faithful to our Lord’s Word while seeking to make its truths relevant to our lives today. I need His guidance, and I do very much appreciate your prayers. 

On that note, I need to get back to the study again today. Have a great day and week. May you find refreshing ways to enjoy the sunshine. See you soon! Blessings! 

Pastor Ken