TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I came across this passage from Isaiah today — one that, for some reason, I had written out on a notecard and placed on my dresser just a few short weeks ago:
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known; along unfamiliar paths, I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16).
While this is a promise God was making to Israel, we can also trust it’s a principle God uses in our own lives: He leads us (sometimes blindly, it seems, from our perspective!) along paths we haven’t known before. I hope you’ll trust His promise to ultimately make the rough places smooth … and to not forsake you! I hope you’ll claim this promise, too, for us as a church!
A well-known Bible teacher has said, “The real challenge of the Christian life is not to believe in God, but to believe God! Let’s be reminded of the miracle we read in worship last Sunday about the little pot of oil and the beautiful ways God solves big problems. (If you missed last Sunday’s service, I hope to have that sermon up on Facebook today.)
Worship, Meeting, Lunch this Sunday
I’m looking forward to Sunday! I hope you are too! Thanks to Jamie and Kris Sisseck who are organizing our lunch at the Community Center. Please reach out to them if you haven’t already about bringing a part of the meal needs. Thank you! Worship at 10:00, followed by our Congregational Meeting. The elders will update us on several things at our meeting, including the rental space on Highland Avenue. (We’re currently waiting on more information from the owner concerning utilities.) Thanks for praying, and thanks for planning to join the family this Sunday! Everyone is welcome!
Let’s pray for the Gideons
Thanks to Mike Gaster for sharing last Sunday about the ministry of the Gideons in Nevada and Vernon County. If you would like to stay in touch with Mike and/or support their work, you can reach him at mgaster7@gmail.com. Please be praying for the work of the Gideons in two of our schools and at Cottey College coming up in September. Pray for Mike, too, whose mother passed away last week. Her funeral will be held tomorrow.
Prayers
Let’s be in prayer, too, for Emily Lewis’ family at the passing of Emily’s grandmother Alma last week. Several of you had already been praying for Alma and for Emily’s family as they anticipated Alma’s passing. Now may God grant comfort and peace, through Christ, at the loss of one who was dear to so many.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s a busy time of the year, isn’t it? I feel pretty swamped between church responsibilities and responsibilities at the high school. Swamped in a good way, but definitely needing the Lord’s strength and leading. I’m grateful that He meets our daily needs with daily strength. (“As your days, so shall your strength be” — Deuteronomy 33:25.) Thanks for praying for me and for each other! There are numerous health needs in our church; let’s pray large prayers, and let’s pray for a passion to share the Good News with others! It’s still great good news, isn’t it!
August is a birthday month in my world — celebrating the birthdays of at least two good friends from Emmanuel E-Free in Hermann ; also my mother-in-law Inge; Diana’s Aunt Bonnie; my daughters Esther and Betsy; my sister Carrie; and my good friend and mentor Steve Doggett. We have several Crossroads birthdays in August, too! I’m sure there are others I should be remembering! I also remember my brother-in-law, Lee, who passed away two years ago this month.
Aren’t you glad for the people in your life! I’m looking forward to my good friends Paul and Naomi Pruitt (friends from way back in seminary days, and wonderful missionaries serving in a unique way in Asia) possibly passing through Nevada tomorrow. I love it when people travel through Nevada!
I hope you’ll cherish the friends God has given us at Crossroads Church. We are a unique and growing group of people. We have different backgrounds, and each one of us is living through unique circumstances currently. Yet, God has placed us together for our benefit and for His glory. Remember one of your Crossroads friends today in prayer!
See you Sunday, Lord willing!
— Tom