An Encouraging Reminder

September 2, 2026

Leadership Notes

     I had mapped out in my wee little brain what I wanted to write about this week, but at the last minute, something different pushed it aside. I had planned to talk about how our faith ought to drive our worldview. It’s based on something I shared during our devotional time at our Elder Board meeting last week. It is important, so I will get to it next week. Seeing our lives and our place and purpose through the lens of Biblical faith is a big deal. We will get to it.

     Right now, as we stand on the precipice of a new church year, there are lots of things on our minds. There are challenges and difficulties. There’s growth and spiritual maturity. We live through these peaks and valleys under the affirmation that God is good all the time.

     I think we all need a spiritual check-up or course correction or encouraging reminder of what really matters when the challenges of life feel like they are grinding us down. So here are, in no particular order, some basic truths of life that have kept me focused on what matters most in life.

1.  WORRYING IS LIKE WORSHIPPING THE PROBLEM. TAKE A

DEEP BREATH.

As Jesus encourages us in Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.”

2.  WORRYING DOESN’T TAKE AWAY TOMORROW’S TROUBLES.

IT ONLY TAKES AWAY TODAY’S PEACE.

I hope you’re with me on that. Finally, rounding out these Biblically grounded weapons against bad thinking:

3.  THE RICHEST WEALTH IS WISDOM. THE STRONGEST

WEAPON IS PATIENCE. THE BEST SECURITY IS FAITH IN

JESUS CHRIST. THE GREATEST TONIC IS LAUGHTER. AND

GUESS WHAT? ALL ARE FREE!

     This next batch speaks to how we think about our place in the world and how we navigate the ins-and-outs of that place:

1.  COMPARISON IS THE THEFT OF JOY.

2.  WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOMEONE THROUGH ROSE-COLORED

GLASSES, ALL THE RED FLAGS JUST LOOK LIKE FLAGS.

3.  DON’T TAKE HATE FROM SOMEONE YOU WOULDN’T GO TO

FOR ADVICE.

4.  NEVER ATTRIBUTE TO MALICE THAT WHICH CAN BE

ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED BY STUPIDITY.

{That one there is hilariously accurate.}

     Finally, as we approach the beginning of fall and the ending of our series on Luke, here’s a beautifully fitting observation:

“THE EMPTY TOMB WAS A RECEIPT OF PAYMENT THAT THE

SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS WAS ACCEPTABLE FOR YOUR SIN AND

MY SIN. THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY!”

-      Miles Commodore

     And then an observation by, of all people, former football player Robert Griffin III:

“God removes people from your life because He heard

conversations you didn’t. Trust God and keep moving forward.”

     As we move forward in this season of transition, with exciting opportunities and perilous dangers ahead, I hope these thoughts will encourage and comfort us.

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“Be half a Christian, and you shall have enough religion to make

you miserable; be wholly a Christian and your joy shall be full.”

     With Love, Affection, and Overflowing Joy,

                          Richard