Seven Thoughts
Have you ever noticed that sometimes in life things just lack coherence, such as the conversations that you have with your teenager, the reporting of world events, or the fact that one day your car can work and the next day it won't? Now you can add this week's Friday letter to things that lack coherence, as I have assembled a collection of thoughts with no discernible theme.
- Be praying for Jerry Stutzman, Bryan Burke, and Bob and Cheryl La Fleur who will all be traveling to Memphis next week to take place in the PCA's General Assembly. It is fantastic to have Ruling Elders involved in these denominational processes. Pray for the business of the church. Pray for the Spirit attended worship of the church which is sure to be meaningful in the wake of losing men like Stephen Smallman, Harry Reeder and Tim Keller so recently.
- I will not be attending GA this year because Lisa and I have been given the opportunity to go to Israel with a group led by a good friend of ours. We will be leaving next Friday and returning around the 28th. We are grateful for this opportunity and would appreciate your prayers for safety in travel, a teachable spirit to take in the lessons that the Lord would have for us, and the ability to hike through the heat of an Israeli summer.
- How do you feel about pickleball? It is actually an intensely debated topic with many proponents and some fierce detractors. Regardless, you can now get a group together for some play at church. That's right, when you pull in this week you will notice the newly re-asphalted lots resplendent with new striping AND two pickleball courts! Game On! (Many thanks to the deacons and Greg Meibeyer for leading this long talked about repaving project to completion.).
- I have had so many songs from the Festival of Praise in my head this week ... It has been a blessing.
- Couple of things I have been listening to: I really appreciated this interview with Molly Worthen, author and journalist, that focused on conversion to Christianity. It is great to hear how God is at work. For those of you who have fostered, are thinking about fostering, or are interested in being more informed advocates for Foster Care, some friends of ours share their story. This episode on the Lost Art of Dying is really thought provoking. Lord help us to live well and to die well.
- Strong black coffee in the morning is such a gift.
- This Sunday we will install Michael Anderson as an associate pastor. This is a sweet time, not only for Michael, but for the church as well to pause and give thanks for God's provision of an undershepherd. In God's good providence (there is that word again) we will reflect on 1 Samuel 12, Samuel's own reflections on his leadership role with the people and God's faithfulness through it all.
Well, they say seven is the number of perfection. I guess perfect is as good a place as any to stop. I look forward to seeing you Sunday.