Paul writes:  “Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Eugene Peterson translates Paul’s words like this:  “By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.  And that’s not all:  We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us.  We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.  There’s more to come:  We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.  In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling short changed.  Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”

I want to draw our attention to the reality that is more real that anything this physical world will ever offer.  God is at work in our lives.  This is an exciting time to be alive, to be troubled by the world and find our hope in Jesus Christ.  The reality, the hope, of his kingdom which is active in our world as a radical alternative to the empty promises which dominate, but do not produce redemption.

A few things, we are looking to fill an administrative role, details can be found on our website and Facebook page.  As you may remember, we pre-record our Thanksgiving faith stories and show them on Tuesday, Nov 24th.  Video recording for our Thanksgiving Service will take place on Sunday Nov 8 & 15 from 8:30-11:45 am and Wednesday--Sunday, Nov 15 from 6-8pm, in the Away Room at Timberwood.   Finally, we will be sending out YTD giving statements via email.  If you would prefer a paper copy please let us know and we’ll put one in your hands.  

Two questions:  Do you know the reference for the scripture quoted above?  Do we live with Hope, aka:  being alert for what God will do next?

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I miss you, 

John