Hello, Crossroads family !

Thanks for being a serving church !  It’s awesome to watch you serve in so many ways, and to see people step in to take on new roles or to fill in when someone is missing !  

• “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly …” (Romans 13:6).  

• “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love ; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Romans 13:9-11).

Those are good reminders from Romans 13 about our privilege of serving each other.  I also stumbled across this verse today while reading in the book of Jeremiah :  

• “Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently” (Jeremiah 48:10).  

Wow, that seems strongly worded, doesn’t it !  It’s in the context of a prophecy against the nation of Moab — a war-time context, so it’s a heated setting, but a good reminder, nevertheless, to serve the Lord diligently … and with gladness (Psalm 100:2).

Exciting things happening at Crossroads :

Parking Lot Party – Sunday, October 27

We’re having a block party for our church and our neighbors !  Sunday, October 27, following the worship service.  We’ll have hot dogs, chips and drinks, and we’ll enjoy games and fellowship.  Invite someone you know to join us that Sunday !  If you would like to help in some way, please contact Julie Kemper (417-321-3999).  She’s especially looking for help setting up tables before the worship service that Sunday.   Pray that God will bless this effort and build connections among people.

Children’s Church

We have a wonderful opportunity for a couple of people to serve for a while on the Children’s Church rotation.  Michaela Walker is available after worship this Sunday if you would like to learn more about what that might look like.  Please plan to stay for a few minutes if you can.  Also, if you would like to help with the older class (7-11 year-olds), please let Emily Lewis know that. Thank you !

Nominating Committee

We need five helpful, prayerful church members to be on this year’s Nominating Committee.  The work will basically take place during the month of November.  The goal of the committee is to seek God’s will for a nominee for the elder position that will open up in January.  Please let one of the current elders know if you would like to serve on the committee.  (The election of a new elder will take place at the December 15 congregational meeting.)

This Week :

• Breakfast & a Bible study this Saturday morning, 8:00-9:15 at the church.  This will be the final regular study.  The following Saturday (10/26) will be breakfast together at 54 Cafe.
• Worship this Sunday morning at 10:00.
• Hymn Study Small Group this Sunday evening, 6:30-7:30 at the Knoches, 1605 W. Maple.
• Immerse next Wednesday evening, 7:00-8:15.

Women’s Christmas Fellowship, November 10

Come join for a time of snacks and fellowship while painting a nativity ornament with Jeanette Hawkins from I Heart Art !  November 10, 3 pm, at the church.  Cost is $20.  Please sign up by November 3 if you’d like to attend.  Contact Erin Townsend (417-684-7067 or ektownsend12@gmail.com) for more details.

I’m personally excited about our Parking Lot Party on the 27th.  It seems kind of part outreach and part fellowship.  A chance to connect with folks in our own neighborhood and others !  

I’m also looking forward to this Sunday’s sermon from Romans 13 about Christians and Their Government.  How does Paul’s statement, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities,” apply in a nation that is built on government by the consent of the governed ?  As we approach an important election, what should be our attitude toward government ?

I met with two individuals from the church earlier this week to do some planning for Crossroads’ Christmas Eve service.  It’s going to be a special and meaningful part of our Christmas season !  I hope you’ll make plans to attend, and bring family or friends, if you’re in town December 24 at 6 pm.

Finally, …

There’s a new update available from our Evangelical Free Church Central District.  I think you’ll find it interesting and informative.  You can sign up to receive it at Home — EFCA Central

My friend and former missionary colleague, Hank Griffith, writes these good thoughts on life in the local church :

I love the local church. I “grew up” in the church. My home church was just four blocks from our house. My parents were active in every way there. Over the years I had numerous and varied opportunities to grow spiritually, as well as to serve in my church. As an adult I now realize that no local church is perfect, but the Church universal (and its extension – local churches) is truly the bride of Christ for whom He gave His life. 

Do I love the people of my church? Last year I led a couple of different Bible studies on the Epistle to the Philippians and was struck by how much Paul loved these people!  Of course, he had led many of them to Christ on his first visit there (Acts 17:11-40), but listen to what he wrote them : “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” (Phil. 1:3-4) He ends by calling the Philippian Christians, “my brothers and sisters whom I love and long for, my joy and crown” (Phil. 4:1.) In between these two verses there are many other warm expressions of Paul’s love for these people.

Am I willing to get involved with the people of my church? Paul not only evangelized the Philippians and taught them the Word, he loved them enough to chastise them and help them work through their problems. For example, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Phil. 4:2-3.)

A final quote on the church: “I think the greatest weakness in the church today is that almost no one believes that God invests His power in the Bible. Everyone is looking for power in a program, in a methodology, in a technique, in anything and everything but that in which God has placed it – His Word. He alone has the power to change lives for eternity, and that power is focused on the Scriptures.” (R.C. Sproul)

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning !— Tom

Hello, Crossroads Family !

This is early this week, but there are so many good things happening at Crossroads, and I wanted to put them all together while they’re fresh on my mind.  Thanks to all of you for being such awesome servant-leaders !  

We had sixteen people at our Hymn Study small group at the Knoches last night, including children.  I hope others of you will join us in two weeks for some good singing and reflection around two more hymns, one of which will be “Rock of Ages.”

I continue to hear wonderful things about the women’s Bible study group meeting on Saturday mornings in terms of relationship-building and personal growth !  

Thanks to Jessica, Bryan, and Erin for hosting a pizza party for high school students last Saturday evening at the Townsends’ home ! 

It’s good to have opportunities for fellowship and relationship-building in many different ways at Crossroads.  It’s also a big blessing to have people who like to exercise the gift of hospitality.  That’s a useful and important tool in the Lord’s work !

We’re having a party !

Mark your calendar for a Parking Lot Party after church on Sunday, October 27.  We’re going to grill hot dogs and invite some of the people in our neighborhood to hang out and eat with us that day.  Julie Kemper is leading the organization of this fun opportunity, and she’ll need some help from you as we prepare and get closer to the date !  

I’ve included an updated church calendar (which is also available on the church website) at the end of this post.

We have some needs, too !

Nominating Committee

It’s hard to believe we will soon need to elect a church elder again whose term of service will begin in January.  Our church by-laws require us to put together a Nominating Committee made up of five church members who will have the task of seeking a nominee for the position of elder.  If you are a member at Crossroads and would like to serve on the Nominating Committee — or if would like to recommend someone to serve on the committee — please let one of the elders know within the next two weeks.  Thank you !

Children’s Church Helpers Needed

We need a few more volunteers to be part of the team of people that rotates as teachers in children’s church during the sermon on Sunday mornings.  If you think you might be interested, please let Michaela Walker know (417-684-3118).  Michaela is also making herself available to meet with anyone who might have an interest, but would like to know more, immediately after worship on Sunday, October 20.  Finally, Emily Lewis would also like to hear from you if you’re interested in serving a class for older children (ages 7-11).  If you think you could be helpful in that capacity, please let Emily know (573-747-6292).  She would love to visit with you !  Thank you !

Meals

Some of you have already signed up to help provide meals when the need arises within the church.  Thank you !  If you’re interested in plugging in to this ministry but haven’t signed up yet, please reach out to Heather Vestal (417-549-0051) or sign up at church.  Thank you !  What a blessing that will be !

Cleaning

If you’ve never taken a turn cleaning the church, you don’t know what you’re missing !  You need only about an hour (or less — definitely less if you do it with another person).  It’s a wonderful way to bless the church family, enjoy an hour of relative quiet, and also pray for people in our church !  Let Diane Ray know you would like to help, and she’ll help you plug in (417-684-7805) … or sign up on the calendar on the back table at church.  (We usually clean sometime after Wednesday.)

A couple other things …

Oktoberfest

As mentioned Sunday, the Vernon County Ministerial Alliance will have a booth at Oktoberfest this Saturday, October 12, 10am – 2pm, behind Great Southern Bank.  The Ministerial Alliance is selling pies to raise funds for its Benevolence Fund.  If you could donate a pie, please bring it to the Ministerial Alliance booth Saturday around 9:00.  (By the way, I’ll be preaching at the community Thanksgiving service this year, sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance, on November 25 at St Mary’s Church.)

Congregational Church Government

My sermon was long-ish Sunday , but below is a paragraph I removed.  I think it’s an interesting and important thought concerning congregationalism, the idea that the congregation is the highest human authority in the church :

Congregationalism is not democracy ; that is to say, congregationalism is not “majority rule,” or “50% + 1 vote” as we sometimes see written in church by-laws.  A goal of democracy is to discern the will of the people (which is a good thing).  Congregationalism is slightly different : its goal is to discern the will of God through the people.  

An important part of congregational church organization, then, must be prayer and strong, healthy relationships !  

“For this cause we … do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding …” (Colossians 1:9).

Calendar   (My apologies if I’ve left something off the following list !)

• Immerse – Wednesday at 7 pm
• Breakfast & Bible Study for women, this Saturday at 8 am.
• Next Hymn Study group :  Sunday, October 20, at 6:30 pm.

October 20 — Short meeting for those interested in learning more about Children’s Church.

October 27 —  Parking Lot Hot Dog Party after worship.

November 1 — Budget proposals due to elders.  (Thank you !)

November 10 — Christmas Ornament Paint Party for women, 3pm.  More information coming !

November 17 — Next elders meeting.

November 24 — Thanksgiving fellowship meal following the worship service.

November 25 — Tom preaches at community Thanksgiving service, St Mary’s Church

December 8 — Crossroads Women’s Cookie Exchange, 3 pm.  More information coming !

December 15 — Congregational Meeting following worship : election of elder ; vote on budget.

December 24 — Christmas Eve service.  More information coming !

Early January  —  soup / chili fellowship meal following worship on a Sunday (date TBD)

Have a wonderful week !   I hope to see you Wednesday night for Immerse !

— Tom

Hello, Crossroads Family !

There’s a lot going on at Crossroads and in each of our lives.  I’m glad we can connect briefly through this email and, as a result, serve the Lord more effectively.

Here’s what’s happening this week at Crossroads !

• Wednesday night :  Immerse — 7:00-8:15 — at the church.

• Saturday :
  • Breakfast & a Bible Study for women — Saturday morning, 8:00-9:15 — also at the church.
  • High School Youth Pizza & Game Party– Saturday evening starting at 6:00 — at the Townsends’ home.

• Sunday :
  • Worship — 10:00 at the church. Children’s church available during sermon.  Sermons are posted on the Crossroads FB page if you miss.
  • Hymns Study Small Group led by Jenny Rives — Sunday evening, 6:30-7:30 — at the Knoches, 1605 W Maple Street.  Everyone welcome, all ages.

There will also be an elders meeting immediately following the worship service this Sunday.  If you have a need or a prayer request to share with the elders, please contact any one of us between now and then.  Thank you !  Thanks for your prayers for our meeting.  There is a lot for us to think about as we head toward the end of 2024.

We have some needs in the church right now !  Would you pray about the following ?

• We need additional help cleaning the church.  It’s not a hard job — takes about an hour and most weeks needs to be done any time between Wednesday night after Immerse and Sunday morning.  You can sign up at the back table at church, and if you have questions, please ask Diane Ray.  (Diane is our new ministry leader for this task.  Thanks, Diane !)

• We need helpers to be part of a rotation in children’s church during the sermon time on Sundays.  Would you consider being in that rotation (probably a commitment of about one Sunday a month)?  We’re looking for helpers for the young group (0-7-year-olds), and we’re hoping to re-start our older group (7-11-year-olds).  Michaela Walker (younger group) and Emily Lewis (older group) are available to answer your questions and help you understand what’s being asked of you.  What an impactful ministry for the Lord !

• Would you like to minister to members of our church family and others by helping to provide a homecooked meal when someone needs it ?   Heather Vestal is looking for helpers to join her in this special ministry.  Let her know you’re interested or sign up at the church.  Thank you !

I hope you agree with me that it’s fun to get to know new people !  Some of my lifelong friends are people I met first at church.  We have a great group of people at Crossroads, some old and some new, and we’ll need to intentionally work at getting to know each other if we want to support each other and serve God well together.

One way to get to know people new in your life is through the practice of hospitality.  It’s an overlooked but vitally important ministry for the building of relationships.  And it doesn’t have to be complicated.  It could be inviting a few people over to your house for some games and snacks ; or having a few people over to watch the Chiefs’ game ; or just inviting someone over to sit outdoors in the fall sunshine for an hour over something good to drink.  I hope you’ll consider how you might bless someone (and be blessed yourself) by exercising some biblical hospitality in October.

Another way to get to know each other in the church is through involvement in small group ministry.  I’m really enjoying the group I’m part of at Immerse on Wednesday nights.  Each week I’m amazed and blessed by the insights people in the group have — both questions and answers I hadn’t seen when I did my part of the reading.  I hope you’ll come to Immerse this week, even if you’ve missed a Wednesday night or two this fall.  Everyone is welcome, and childcare is available for the youngest ones.  We’re reading and discussing pages 104 -122 this week in the Immerse Bible (essentially, Exodus 14-24).

I hear good things about the Breakfast & Bible Study group that has been meeting now for several weeks on Saturday mornings and is discussing how to build healthy communities.  I know some fellowship and connection events are being planned for that group for later this fall.  

The Sunday evening small group centered on hymns has been a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, worship, and receiving God’s peace at the end of the weekend.  The group will meet again this Sunday evening, and everyone is invited.  We’ll study (and sing) two well-known hymns, “The Church’s One Foundation,” and “Take My Life and Let It Be.”  The Knoches’ home is a comfortable place to meet, and Jenny is guiding us carefully and thoughtfully through these wonderful hymns.

Now, also, an opportunity for high school aged students to connect this Saturday for pizza, games, and fellowship at the Townsends !  Be sure to contact Jessica or Bryan if you have questions !

Personal

My schedule is busy now that school is in full swing.  My school schedule is a little different than it has been in the past.  Instead of having three morning classes, I have two morning classes, then one afternoon class.  So I’m at the high school for two hours in the morning, then home for an hour, then back at the high school for an hour in the afternoon.  So my schedule is kind of chopped up into little pieces (kind of like Samuel and King Agag in 1 Samuel 15:33).  This is a challenge for someone who needs some extended periods during the day to study, pray, and prepare.  The afternoon class I’m part of is a Music Theory class which involves teaching three 15-minute piano lessons to students each day.  It’s fun and they’re doing well … but again, a day chopped up into little segments.  It’s sometimes hard to come home and regain focus for the church.  Please pray for strength, good attitude, and for God’s provision of those longer study times during the week.

I have two weddings on my radar coming up in 2025.  I’ll start meeting with one of the couples next week.

I was able to receive two iron infusions in September which brought my iron levels up into the normal ranges and brought back a feeling of normal energy.  I’ll have my big toe looked at by a podiatrist next week (turf toe, arthritis, other ???).  This is the toe (along with nine others) that walked to Ft Scott one day last year.  I would like to have it healthy again !

My children and grandchildren seem to be well.  My daughter Annie was affected by Hurricane Helene in that she lost power for two days, and there is some concern at the present time about drinking water in her part of Columbia, South Carolina.  October begins birthday season in our family.  October and November will mean birthdays for seven of my children and their spouses, two of my grandchildren, my mother, one of my sisters, my brother, and an aunt.  (Also my dad’s birthday and Diana’s birthday were both in October.)  Many reasons to give thanks, many memories.

I look forward to seeing you at Immerse (Exodus 14-24), Lord willing, and then again Sunday morning (Exodus 18).  Getting tired of Moses yet ?  We’ll take a little break from Exodus after this Sunday.

— Tom

“For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes” (Jeremiah 31:25).

Hello, Crossroads Family :

Please be in prayer for Jamie Sisseck and her extended family at the passing of her grandfather, Harold Fritter, yesterday.  There will be a visitation tomorrow evening, 6-8, at Cheney-Witt funeral home in Ft Scott, and a funeral service Thursday at noon, also at Cheney-Witt.  Let’s ask God to bless and comfort Jamie, Kris, Konner, Jamie’s grandmother, and other family members and friends at this time of loss.

———————————-

We had a good ministry teams meeting last Sunday following the worship service.  Thanks to everyone who attended.  I’ve summarized some of the main points of the meeting at the end of this email.  I hope you’ll take time to read it ; there’s important information there for the whole church family.

This week at Crossroads :

• Immerse, Wednesday night, 7-8:15, at the church.
• Breakfast & a Bible Study for women, Saturday, 8-9:15, also at the church.
• Worship Sunday morning, 10:00.

Other events coming up :

• Game Night, Saturday, October 5 :  An evening of games and fellowship for all high school-aged students and their friends starting at 6 pm at the Townsends’ home.  Contact Bryan Townsend or Jessica Baker if you need more information or have questions.

• Thanksgiving fellowship dinner :  Mark your calendar for a Thanksgiving fellowship meal following worship on Sunday, November 24.

Some Highlights from Ministry Teams Meeting

Receipts

There is a basket in the “office” (first room to the right as you enter the building) where you can leave receipts for Stacey when you’ve made a purchase.  Please write your name on the receipt as well as the budget line your expense needs to come out of.  (There is a copy of the budget next to the basket.)  Please make sure Stacey gets receipts from all purchases made for the church.  Thank you !  If you have questions, please speak to Stacey or Donna.

More Finances

If you are leading a ministry team, please try to submit to the elders, by November 1, a budget amount you envision for your ministry for next year’s budget.  Thank you.

Children’s Church

We are in need of some additional volunteers to be part of the rotation of adults currently serving in children’s church (ages 0-7) during the sermon.  Please contact Michaela Walker if you’re interested and willing to take a turn.

We would like to start a second class for children over age 7 who need a place to go during the sermon.  If you would be interested in helping to bless this older age group, please take time to let Emily Lewis know that.  Thank you !  Children of all ages are always welcome to stay for the sermon, but some do better with a lesson and activity geared to their age level.  We would like to have some committed hearts (like yours !) to help meet that need.

An Important Reminder

If you are in the building during the week and need to use the restrooms, be sure, before leaving the worship area, to unlock the door leading into the hallway  You will need to unlock the door and turn the handle once to make sure it’s unlocked.  If not, there’s a good possibility you will be locked out of the worship area and, in addition, possibly unable to exit the building !  Finally,  when you leave the building make sure both the main door and the hallway door are locked and all the lights are turned out.  Thank you !

Yard Work

Thanks to those who have been so faithful to care for the yard and to spray weeds around the building and parking lot this summer.  We anticipate a clean-up day and burn party later this fall !  Discussion also took place at our meeting concerning the need for more lighting along the walkway outside the door.

Meal Ministry

Heather Vestal is taking on the responsibility of organizing meals for people at Crossroads (and beyond) who need a meal provided due to illness or some other life event.  If you’d be interested in helping, a sign-up sheet will be available this Sunday at church, or you can contact Heather.  Thank you !

Help with Communion

We have some new volunteers to help serve Communion each first Sunday of the month !  If you would also like to help with Communion, please let Dave Reedy know.  

Missions

We had some good discussion about possible local outreaches for the coming year.  More discussion coming.  

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear,

    though the earth should change,

    though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea,

    though its waters roar and foam.

    though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Psalm 46:1-3

God bless you as your journey with Him and trust Him this week !

— Tom

Hello, Crossroads Family !

Thank you for thinking of each other, praying for each other, and caring for each other throughout the week !  What a blessing it is to belong to a church family !  Our picnic last Sunday was a reminder of that.  I’m glad so many were there !  Special thanks to Bryan and Erin for hosting us and preparing the main dishes and sides.  Thanks to everyone who came, shared food and drinks, served, and helped set up !

Here are some reminders concerning life at Crossroads this week :

Immerse tonight

The goals of Immerse are to connect with God, build community, and grow our faith.  That’s a good use of time on a Wednesday night !  Come on out tonight, even if you’ve missed one of the earlier sessions.  The reading assignment for tonight is pp 63-81 (Genesis 41-50).  We always have interesting and lively discussions.  Thanks to Dave, Forrest, and Mark for leading the Immerse discussion groups !

Ministry Team Meeting this Sunday

We’re hoping to have everyone participate in this meeting who is currently serving in some capacity at Crossroads.  We have several ministry teams — Children, Finances, Missions, Youth, Worship, Decorating, Yard, Website, Small Group Leaders, Greeters, Bulletin, Facebook, Elders, along with others who are serving in the church.  (We also have a growing team of people providing refreshments on Sunday mornings !)  So many of you serve through prayer, giving, and personal ministry, too.  Thank you !

Our goals for Sunday’s meeting, immediately following the worship service, are these :

• to coordinate activities happening at Crossroads for the remainder of 2024
• to update each other about things happening in various areas of ministry at Crossroads
• to address ministry needs 
• to have some initial discussion about 2025 budget needs
• to pray together

That sounds like a lot, but we should be able to accomplish all of that in an hour or less.  Please come if you’re part of one of those ministry teams.  We had a meeting similar to this earlier in the year, and it proved to be helpful in communicating and coordinating with each other.  With our church growing in number, ministry will grow accordingly ; we want to seek God’s vision for what that should look like !

This Week :

• Immerse tonight, 7:00

• Breakfast & a Bible study for women, Saturday morning, 8:00-9:15.

• Worship Sunday morning at 10:00.  Ministry teams meeting following the worship service.

• Hymn Study Group, this Sunday evening, 6:30-7:30.  Everyone welcome for an hour of relaxing fellowship and worship before starting the new week.  We’ll study the words and stories behind “O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “And Can It Be That I Should Gain.”

Game Night for Crossroads Youth, October 5

A night of games and fellowship is being planned for all high school age students at Crossroads and friends you’d like to invite.  Saturday, October 5, starting at 6 pm at Bryan & Erin Townsend’s home, 13454 E. Nelson Road.  Reserve the date !  For information or questions, contact Jessica Baker or Bryan Townsend.

The Big Serve, September 28-29

Many of you are familiar with The Big Serve, a weekend for people in Vernon County to help their neighbors through volunteer projects such as brush pick-up, mowing, painting, yardwork, etc.  If you would like to help on a project or organize a team of people for a project, you’re invited to find out more at BigServeVCMO.com or go to Facebook at BigServeVCMO.  There is also information posted at the church.

Amendment 3

The “Fair Ballot Language” accompanying Amendment 3 was changed by Circuit Judge Cotton Walker, who alleged that the original language by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft was inaccurate.  The new language reads as follows :

Fair Ballot Language :

A “yes” vote establishes a constitutional right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid ; removes Missouri’s ban on abortion ; allows regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient ; requires the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care ; and allows abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman.

A “no” vote will continue the statutory prohibition of abortion in Missouri.

If passed, this measure may reduce local taxes while the impact to state taxes is unknown.

You can read all of the state ballot measures for the November 5 election here.  I hope in October to preach a sermon on the sanctity of human life, and a sermon on a Christian’s relationship to civil government.   

Concluding Thought

My friend and former missionary colleague, Hank Griffith, writes that it’s impossible for us to fathom how much sheer knowledge the human race possesses cumulatively.  One website lists more than 1800 different undergraduate majors available at all universities and colleges in America.  Others have determined that every day the average American consumes about 34 gigabytes of information. 

Despite this, we know only a tiny fraction of what God knows !  And even if we have knowledge, the Bible seems to put as strong, or stronger, an emphasis on wisdom.  Proverbs tells us that fools despise wisdom.  

Andrew M. Davis writes, “When you arrive in your glorious home He will teach you even more of what He knows.  The inventory of the treasures of Christ’s wisdom and knowledge will take eternity to explore.  And it will be your delight to take in each glowing piece of His knowledge with your glorified mind ….”

All that should keep us humble this week, attentive to God the Holy Spirit leading us, and hopefully it makes us eager for our future life in the Lord’s presence and under His reign !

— Tom