TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
Psalms 30 and 31 are real encouragements if you need some at the beginning of a new work week!
Specifically, in Psalm 31, verses 7-8, are four lines telling what God has done (and continues to do):
- You have seen my affliction. (v. 7)
- You have known the troubles of my soul. (v. 7)
- You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy. (v. 8)
- You have set my feet in a large place. (v. 8)
You have seen, you have known, you have not given me over, you have set me in a large place. How true! What an awesome God!
Later, two more lines tell what God continues to do for those who believe in Him:
- You hide them in the secret place of your presence from the conspiracies of man (31:20).
- You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues (31:20).
These are good truths to take with us into a new week. We tend to be anxious about lots of things; these verses remind us that God is taking good care of us at all times! Not only does He meet out outward needs, but He’s always meeting the needs of our soul!
Yesterday
I enjoyed making a visit after yesterday’s worship service, along with our Crossroads elders, to a building for sale on Locust Street. It was fun to imagine what a Crossroads worship service — or other activity — would look like in a building like that. It would be great to have extra space, room to invite people, a continual presence in town during the week, and a bright cheerful room in which to worship. Not all was positive about the building, but there were some nice aspects to, it and it gave scope for the imagination. While we were looking at the building, we learned that someone else had just made an offer on it. Let’s continue to pray for God’s direction and provision concerning that building or another.
Concerning the rental possibility on Highland Avenue, we’ll be talking with the owner of the building again this week about the rental price and cost of utilities. The building is shared with other tenants, so there has been some difficulty in finding out what our portion of the utilities would be. A second challenge in renting this space is that the owner would like for us to act as something of a “superintendent” for the whole building — i.e., be responsible for lawncare, snow removal, and for making calls when repairs are needed (at her expense). In return, she would be willing to lower the rent. We’ve been working through all those details and will hopefully know more this week. Thanks for your prayers.
Grateful
I’m grateful for our Children’s Church workers who provide interesting and uplifting lessons for the youngest of our church family at Crossroads. Thanks especially to Cris, Emily, and Forrest who have recently taken on the task of the older children’s class. Please keep all these hard workers in your prayers! Thank you!
Wouldn’t it be awful if we didn’t have Christian friends and loved ones in our lives? We shouldn’t take those relationships for granted. Even if we may be different from each other in personality, temperament, or background, it’s a blessing to know other people who share the joy of the Lord and a love for God and the Bible. When brothers and sisters in Christ find themselves in conflict (as they sometimes do), there is an opportunity to exercise the love Jesus has poured into our lives, as someone has said:
“The choice to practice love happens at the intersection of your way and my way.”
We meet many people at that intersection, don’t we? Notice that the love which can (and hopefully does) happen at that intersection is a choice on our part.
Prayer
In addition to prayers for a future home, I’m so grateful for visitors at Crossroads, including several yesterday. A few of these newcomers are becoming regular attenders. Let’s be sure to pray for them and welcome them into our lives.
I’m praying for small group ministry at Crossroads this fall. It would be great to see one or two or three small groups meeting for fellowship, prayer, study, and ministry. Some of you are involved in personal discipleship and small groups outside of Crossroads. That connection during the week is important! Would you pray with me? How is God leading you in this area?
Birthday
Today is the birthday of my third oldest daughter, Betsy — now Betsy Jackson. She was born in France in 1994 on the evening of the 50th anniversary of the Allied liberation of our town from Nazi forces. It was quite a celebration, including fireworks on the night of her birth! Hard to forget! And, as was often the case with our children’s births, it happened on a Saturday night which meant I preached the next morning. Special times. If I remember correctly, my parents arrived that Sunday afternoon on a train from Geneva, Switzerland, although late due to connections not happening as scheduled.
We have so much for which to be thankful — families, our Christian family, freedom, good memories, and a future which God holds in His loving hands.
Have a great week!
— Tom
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