November 3, 2021
Leadership Notes
Happy first week of November, or as I like to call it, "National Discount Candy Week."
Three weeks till Thanksgiving. That's always a good thing.
With that in mind, our series on Paul's letter to the Galatians wraps up on November 21. After that our focus will be on Advent, followed by The Revelation to John in January, 2022. That might be our most ambitious series yet.
Here's a little historical fact I shared in worship on Sunday. October 31st is Reformation Sunday. On that date, 504 years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 protests against the Roman Catholic Church to the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
John Calvin was only 8-years-old at the time. He grew up to have a profound impact on Christian theology. Here's a quote we opened worship with:
Grant, Almighty God, that having cast away and renounced all confidence
in our virtue, we may be led to Christ only as the fountain of your election,
in whom also is set before us the certainty of our salvation through your
gospel, until we shall at length be gathered into that eternal glory which He
has procured for us by His own blood. Amen.
While setting up my station to greet trick-or-treaters Sunday night, I noticed a squirrel digging in our front yard. I love those little dudes. They are the scamps of God's animal kingdom. I am never not amused spending a few moments watching them scurry and play. What wildlife captures your fancy?
American novelist Walter Kirn {"Up in the Air"} said recently, "We've now been through every iteration of feasible COVID responses, and some that haven't proved feasible…Time to return to normalcy and deal with the fact that sometimes life is difficult." Which brings my mind to Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." You, too?
Let's close with a wonderful prayer I found online* based on this Proverb:
Dear Lord and Father, thank You, that I have the freedom to make
future plans and yet have the wonderful assurance that You are the One
Who directs my steps. Thank You, that I have been given the free-will to
make choices in life, and a sound mind with which to think and consider
different options. I pray that You would give me the wisdom to make the
right choices in life, but thank You, Father, that I am not alone, because
You guide me along the best way and direct my steps in the way I should
go. Give me wisdom and discernment to make the best life-choices and an
ear that is open to Your leading and guidance. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:
"Trouble shall do me no real harm when the Lord is with me,
rather it shall bring me much benefit, like the file which clears
away the rust, but does not destroy the metal."
With Much Love and Affection,
Richard