To God's Beloved @ Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It is always a joy to get away and be with our family and rest. The last 10 or so days have been a wonderful time, traveling together in Caribbean, going to Lori's dream holiday spot (St. Thomas), and watching the boys have steak eating contests. Life at its best, well, at the very least it was wonderful. I do not do well with sun, so enjoyed my time relaxing in, "dad's spot", and reading, listening to lectures and sermons, and visiting with my parents. Had perhaps the best three meals of my life, and loved our time away. It was a joy to listen to Pastor Thomas, and Roy Comrie, and hear God's Word being faithfully preached to God's people. We enjoyed Pastor Thomas's message as we drove to Key West, and Roy's just before our flight home. We arrived at 11:30 pm, in Seattle, waited another 30 minutes for our airport shuttle, drove to the border (waited and slept in a long line up of four cars that took 30 minutes), and then happily arrived home. Thank you for your prayers and notes of love and support, we had a wonderful time away and return with joy and a renewed passion to see God glorified as we serve Him together here. WE MISSED YOU, although thoughts of moving our church family to the Caribbean did cross our minds...
One of the lectures I was listening to made the following statement, "Worldliness is when sin looks normal, and righteousness seems strange". That sounds a lot like the culture we are in, and our challenge continues to be, seeking to be a people who are in the world, but not of the world. This is not easy, as we are inundated with what looks normal as we watch tv, cheer for our Canucks (who are playing at the world hockey tournament), and living in this world. A good reminder for us to seek to keep on being Word saturated, and basing what we see as right and good from God's Word and not the world.
The 500 year anniversary of the Reformation is coming, so encourage you to be reviewing in your reading and listening what happened on October 31, 1517 and all that led up to it. So much to learn, and be reminded of. We long to be a church where we are constantly reforming our practices to the Word of God as we walk in the Spirit. As you discover things, share them with one another, and be reminded that we are saved by grace ALONE, through faith ALONE, in Christ ALONE, to the glory of God ALONE, and our authority is God's Word ALONE.
Sunday is Coming:
Encourage you to prepare your heart to hear and be shaped by God's Word, and His people on Sunday.
This is a baptism Sunday, and we are excited to see again people taking this step of obedience to God's Word. May it be a reminder to you of your salvation, and a joy in seeing others obeying Jesus in this way!
Title: The Agony & The Apathy
Text: Mark 14:32-50
How does this text help us to know who Jesus was/is?
How is this helpful to us in living our lives for God's glory?
As you see Jesus in so much emotional distress, how does this help you understand His humanity?
How does this help you worship Him, for His sacrifice?
What is the cup that Jesus prays to have removed from Him?
Why is it significant that we know this if we are to live our lives as Gospel centred people?
How can this passage help you to know Jesus better, and follow Him more fully?
Have a great week...
Glad to be home, but still longing for more sun/shade, food, and quality time with my family,
Pastor Rob