To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It has been an interesting week for the Godard family, and one where we have been overwhelmed with your prayers, texts and emails. We took Ryan to emergency last week, and were very concerned about him, as were doctors there. In that we gave a general cry for prayer, as well as to my prayer team, and you have responded...THANK YOU! Ryan is at home, and almost normal, which is a huge answer to prayer (please keep praying). We do have some further tests, but it looks like things are good, and recovery a pathway that can be defined well....SO THANK YOU...We are so glad we are a part of the family of God! Sorry for not being able to answer all of the interaction that has come our way, and again, thank you for your prayers, love, and concerns. WOW.
On February 22, 1980 there was a "miracle" that took place, known as the Miracle On Ice. The weak American team beat the mighty Russian team in hockey at the Olympics. Where were the Canadians you ask? Great and essential question, and I remind you for National Pride's sake, that they were in the NHL, and had they been there, this would not have taken place. However, it did, and the Americans beat the Russians, a team they had been whipped by (10-3) in their last game. The reason, goaltending and a "miracle", the Americans were outshot outplayed, and still won, and as the countdown was happening, and reached zero, the announcer shouted out, over 8500 screaming people, "do you believe in miracles?"...and so was born the games reputation as, THE MIRACLE ON ICE. Why all that history about a sad time in Canada? Because, although I would not describe what happened there as a miracle, we actually do believe in a God who notices us, cares, and ANSWERS PRAYER! We do not believe that God has wound up the world and now lets it tick out in helpless observation, but a God who actually responds to His people, and a God who does work miracles. Not always what we want, or in our time, but He does work outside of the normal human history, above it. There are lots of definitions of miracles, and protection of the uniqueness of Jesus and the apostles ministry is something I appreciate, and I affirm that discussion, but for today, TAKE HOPE, God does notice you, answer prayer, and engage for you in your every day life (Romans 8:32). We have a God who engages in our lives, and is FOR US!
Speaking of Romans, have you read the devotional for today, and Romans 8? If so, have you discussed it with two or three people. Again, many of your are sharing the value of doing this as a community of faith, and I AGREE...so if you haven't read it yet, please do, and join our family in seeking to grow together in our experience of God's love, and walking in the Spirit. It is so good to be a part of the family of God!
Many of you have asked how we are doing financially as a church. The Elders are planning an update letter soon, and the details will be there, but in the interim, we are doing better but not good enough. We as a Joint Servant Team (Elders and Deacons) revised the budget, and the giving has increased (especially after we made the need known), so it looks like if the giving of God's people continues we can meet the revised budget and ministries can continue to serve God and through His people our world. Thank you, and I would encourage you to keep on giving, and perhaps even increase giving so that we can continue to do God's work for God's glory here. Our numbers are up significantly from last year, and our giving pattern is the same, which could mean a lot of things, but as we figure that out, and start to strategize for our next budget seeking maximum Kingdom impact for next year, encourage you to continue to obey God and give to your Local Church for His glory. We are still making ministry decisions based on financial restrictions, so our giving is appreciated and needed.
Please be in prayer for Pastor Thomas and our youth team as they are going on their annual retreat this weekend. This is an opportunity to build deeper relationships with the youth, to have an intense time to impact them with God's Word, and to see their first love devotion to God renewed. Pray for a revival among them through Pastor Thomas that will infect us! PLEASE PRAY!
Sunday Is Coming:
Kill or Be Killed
Romans 8:13-14
Make sure you are reading all of Romans 8, as context is so important and valuable to understanding God's Word correctly.
- What does it mean to Kill Sin?
- Why according to these two verses does this matter?
- What is the Spirit's role in this?
- Why do you think that there is so much apathy when it comes to walking in the Spirit (Word saturation, and purity pursuit) in our Canadian church context?
Excited to see you Sunday, and THANK YOU! WE ARE SO GLAD WE ARE A PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD!
Grateful to serve a GREAT church,
Pastor Rob