I woke up early this morning with a song of praise “playing in my head”, which was a far cry better than waking up with the worries of the day on my mind! As I left the house shortly after 5:30am to get to a Bible study/prayer meeting, I listened to a CD that my son had given me. I was at the 9^th song on the recording when this song I’d never heard before came on, “I will praise you in this storm.” So in order to really hear and consider all the words I listened to it twice on the way to Bible study and twice on the way back to church. It spoke the words of God and the words of my heart at the very same time. Just because it was such a profound blessing to me, I’ve copied the lyrics for you to read. I pray they bless your heart.

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it’s still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can’t find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus:
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Have a great day!

In Him,

P. Tim

You know some weeks are hard and good. Some weeks are hard and well…hard. Every now and then a week is smooth and easy. I was reminded this week that no matter what the week or month or year is like, as believers we always have access to a safe, sweet, and restorative place…worship. While there are great pleasures in private worship, my focus this week is on public worship. No matter what is going on in or around me, if I can get to our Sunday morning service I’m sure to find refuge and refreshment. In the middle of the fellowship of the saints, sweet and sacred songs of worship, and the unfolding of God’s Word to my heart, well…the fears, deadlines, disappointments, conflicts, problems…well they fade right out of the picture. For a few precious powerful moments it’s just me and Him in the room (I know you’re there too) and all is right in the world! Even though the problems that faded will be there afterwards waiting for me, I face them with renewed assurance that I will face them with Him!

It reminds me of the Psalmist’s experience in Psalm 73. You remember the frustration, angst, and confusion that filled his soul looking at all of the injustice around him. You also remember that it’s when he “went into the sanctuary of God” that suddenly all became clear. His heart that was filled with grief then filled with hope, confidence, and joy in His God. Psalm 73:28 ” But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.” So, I’m looking forward to Sunday. I really pray you are as well. Our study this week is on a very challenging section of scripture, Hebrews 6:1-12. It might help you to read it ahead a time and jot down the questions that will most certainly come to mind. Then you can see if I actually answer them!

In Him,

P. Tim

Isn’t it both precious and powerful when God speaks to us personally and specifically through His Word? Even when what He says is hard or corrective, the very fact that I hear His voice speaking to me individually is so wonderfully reassuring and encouraging. When He speaks to me, I know He sees me, hears me, and cares about me, not just in my head, but in my heart. Not so long ago I read Job in my personal Bible reading. It seemed to me then and still seems that the greatest of all of Job’s agonies, among so many unspeakable agonies, was what seemed to Him to be the silence of God.

23:1 Then Job answered and said: ² “Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. ³ Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! 30:20
²⁰ I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.

To be very honest with you, just yesterday I spent several hours pouring out my heart to God in prayer. I was candid, direct, and passionate, sometimes speaking to Him out loud, sometimes silently. It was genuine, necessary, right, but I still felt little relief. This morning I picked up where I had left off, asking for wisdom and direction for those things on my heart. I read God’s Word as is my normal pattern. It was right to do and it was “OK.” Later in the morning I needed to get further along in my study for Sunday morning’s message. Then right in the middle of me doing my “homework” to prepare for Sunday, God spoke to me through His Word. You know, not out loud in some bizarre way, but clearly His voice as His Spirit spoke to my heart through His Word. How precious! How powerful! How amazing that it never ceases to thrill my soul! I have yet to tire of hearing His voice. I trust I never do!

In Him,

P. Tim

Well, I’m sitting here in my office this morning, looking out at one of the rare sunny days of this summer. It’s great to see the sun! I just bumped into Kurt Fenton, our missionary to New Zealand, who I haven’t seen since his last visit stateside. It was great to see him and hear of God’s blessing in his life and the life of his family. You will all get to hear from him at this year’s missions conference in the Fall. Another great missions moment is coming up this Sunday. We will be saying good bye to Rob and Gretchen Clarke as they make final preparations to leave for Asia. They will share their testimonies and we will take up a farewell love offering to help them on their way.

The life stories of these couples remind me of a precious, but often forgotten blessing or gift that God has given to us, the gift of purpose. God has certainly given a great and eternal purpose to the lives of the Fentons and Clarkes, but not just to them. He gives such purpose to all of His children. Sometimes it isn’t so obvious or doesn’t seem as glorious, but it’s there. Even as a kid in school, I noticed a purpose in my own heart and life that God had placed there that wasn’t in the hearts and lives of the other kids around me. He had given me a reason to live, a reason to study, work and serve, and even a reason to die someday. Purpose is precious. Purposelessness is torture. Remember Ecclesiastes? I came across this passage in my reading this week.

Psalm 57:1 A MIKTAM OF DAVID, WHEN HE FLED FROM SAUL, IN THE CAVE. “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. ² I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

³ He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!”

See you Sunday, the Lord wiling.

P. Tim