News for the week of July 27 - August 2

Message from Pastor Bob

I don’t know about you but I have been enjoying the cooler weather this week. Marleen and I spent the last week on the Sunshine Coast enjoying the ocean and the beauty of the West Coast. Our daughter and her youngest daughter, who is 18, joined us and we had the opportunity to spend some very enjoyable time together. Holy especially bonded with Alijah - they particularly had fun on the beach, playing in the waves and jumping in the water. Oh, to be young and agile again. I can hardly wait for that new body that Jesus promised all who look forward to His appearance. 

This past week I have been reflecting on what it means to walk with God in these uncertain times. There is so much that needs to be addressed and dealt with that it’s easy to become anxious and stressed. Some of the things God has been saying to me is that I need to relax and trust in Him.   

Here are four important axioms which God has been teaching me:

• God is just like Jesus
• God is always present and at work in my messy reality
• God cares about all of it more than I do
• God calls me to trust Him in every situation

So, I would encourage all of us to back off and trust Jesus to work in the messy situations of your life and mine.  

This Sunday I will be preaching on the surprising conversion of Saul found in Acts 9:1-11.  In this passage, we will see the wonderful “fleshing out” of these axioms.   This is where prayer comes into play.  In prayer, we place into God’s capable, loving, and sovereign care those things which cause us so many sleepless nights.  

May God bless you with a profound sense of his love and care for you. The Good Shepherd holds you in the palm of His hand and shelters you in His cupped hands.  

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Please pray for, Alireza Shahbazi, who will be baptized this week.