Share from your week or from today’s scripture (Psalm 147, Isaiah 40: 21-31 and Mark 1: 29-39)
Jan – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them from all. We have a God who is very faithful and he delivers us. I want to share that I have seen God every day this week. Every single day. And he reassures me that my husband is going to be again safe and free of this fear. I love that 147th Psalm where you quoted, pastor, that says that “the Lord favors those who fear him”. Right now, Wayne is in a real fear filled place, but not for long – it’s only temporary. Thanks for all your prayers! God Bless all of you, I love you!
Pastor Brett – Thank you, Jan. Thanks for encouraging us and we will continue to be praying for Wayne in his recovery.
Sally – That was definitely a great sermon for me. When you said at the end to take time for reflections, I bowed my head and started praying and literally said – God, what I need to propel me forward, just give me a shot in the arm to propel me forward. I said it conceptually and then I said – Oh my gosh, that is literally what I need! I need the shot in the arm. I need the immunization, I need the shot! It was just funny, I wasn’t thinking at all about Covid itself, yet that was the phrase that came to my mind. So, this just amused me. But, as you were giving your sermon, this old hymn came to mind (I brought the words up on my iPhone). “In times like these you need a savior; in times like these you need an anchor. Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the solid rock. This rock is Jesus….”
Neil – I know I have been burdened a lot over the last couple of days, with my dad going from a quick telemedicine appointment because he was having trouble breathing, to a CT Scan, to a paramedic trip to the hospital, to having a pint of fluid pulled away from his heart. And we still don’t have the results we’d like to have to know what’s going on. But, he’s doing better in increments, which is great, but it’s still kind of a burden to not be able to be there. To sit on the sidelines, even more so than normal, and just wait has not been the best experience. But, it’s what we’ve got right now. So, that’s been a burden. One of the things that has been very strengthening to me is that my wife and I have been able to celebrate our 23rd Anniversary today; if there’s anything that acts as an anchor for me is knowing that I’m not by myself and to give me those checks of like to know when it’s okay to be depressed and all that. But when it’s also time to know that things are moving in the right direction and to take some positivity out of it.
Pastor Brett – Thank you Neil. We continue to lift up your dad and your whole family. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! What a witness to the anchor that is, thank you.
Kari – I’m lifting up my candle holder, because you were talking about the candles. Today, I only have one burning because right as the sermon started one of my candles went out; right when you were talking about the candles and the wick going out – the other one went out! So, I thought….hmm, that’s probably not coincidence; I prize myself on being competent and that I can do everything. So, I think that’s God reminding me that – No Kari, you can’t do everything, you need to rely on me for certain…(inaudible). So, that was a good message.
Pastor Brett – I want to thank Mark Smith for putting that message on the marque. That really strengthened me this week. He didn’t know I was preaching on the Isaiah passage. When I drove by the church, that was the inspiration for my message. So, thank you Mark.
Debbie – So, one of the things that the scripture says – They that wait upon the Lord, will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. If you ever know about an eagle, he doesn’t flap to soar – he waits upon the winds that lifts him up. And as we wait upon the Holy Spirit to lift us up and strengthen us, that we will be able to soar. That we won’t have to flap on our own power. We just catch the wind!
Pastor Brett – I love that, thank you Deb. That was a beautiful image there.
Laura – The part that resonates with me is that I can’t do it on my own. I pride myself on my self-reliance, and it’s a good reminder that it’s not by my power that I do it.
Krista – I’m stressed about getting everything ready to leave on vacation on top of everything else!!
Paige – This week my strength has come from knowing we had so many people praying for Neil’s dad and our family. Thank you Prayer Team.
Jan – I want to share real quick that verse that says – Through faith and patience we inherit the promises. The patience part is really hard; I can’t tell you what verse it is, but it’s in there. Bye, I love you all!
Pastor Brett – Thanks Jan. I think that’s in the book of Jan chapter 5 verses 26-28…J Amen, Amen. Patience and waiting; that’s hard. But, sometimes God brings promises to us.