"We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer, we develop endurance, 4 which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness. 5 And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love.” Romans 5:3-5(The Voice)
Dear Friends,
In June we experienced two losses. The first was Bunny Carlson and the second was Barbara O’Mara. I did not know Bunny, but I did have the opportunity to get to know Barbara. I was thinking that over the years, this church has had a wonderful group of people who loved God and Jesús, as well as the church. Both had served this church in wonderful and numerous ways. As pastor, sometimes I wish I could have been here during those years when people like Bunny and Babara were young and active. Bunny turned 99 in January and Barbara would have turned 90 in November.
I was at a retreat last weekend and the theme was “Hope Does not Disappoint” based on the scripture above. Throughout the weekend we were reminded that according to the apostle Paul, suffering leads to endurance, which leads to character, and then to hope. And if we turn to 1 Corinthians 13, we learn that hope leads to faith and faith leads to love.
William Barclay writes: “When our hope is in God, it cannot turn to dust and ashes. When our hope is in God, it cannot be disappointed. When our hope is in the love of God, it can never be an illusion, for God loves us with an everlasting love baked by an everlasting power.”
Anyone who knew Barbara was aware of the challenges she faced in her life. Yet she had endurance, and strength that kept her moving forward regardless of the situation. She felt that she was brave and that she had decided not to stress over the things she could not change. The result was a great hope that the Lord would always be with her. God never disappointed her. She had strong faith and great love for life and the people she met along the way. She was most thankful for the small group of women who surrounded her, prayed for her, encouraged her, and supported her right up to the end.
This reminds me of the words found throughout the Psalms like this verse:
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
It is so easy to give into the trials and tribulations of life, to just give up and let it consume you. This leads to a downward spiral, where we feel that we are not worthy of love either by God or by others. At these times, a hope-filled life turns to hopelessness. It requires a supportive group of people around us to help us to see another way.
It warms my heart to hear stories about Bunny and Barbara and how they grew in their belief that God was taking care of them even at the hardest times of their lives. I know that they were loved and appreciated by the people who knew them, and they will be missed.
The scriptures tell us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. We call them the invisible church. They are those who have come before us since the beginning of time and now we know that Bunny and Barbara have joined their ranks. If there are those who are living in despair, may they see hope in the lives of these two amazing women.
To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
I thank God for you,
Pastor Kathy Nealand
“So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
“ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20
“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42
"Walk by the Spirit . . . led by the Spirit . . . live by the Spirit . . . keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16, 25
“[Paul Gives Thanks to God] I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.” -1 Corinthians 1:4-5
“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
As we begin a new season in the church, it is good and right to think about what we mean when we pray “give us this day, our daily bread.” It is all about God’s provision. If we see God as a parent, we know that if we have a need, God will provide exactly what we need. The scripture verse above proves the case. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened.
All children are precious to God. Psalm 139 speaks to God knowing us before we were born. At our conception we are “children of God.” We belong to God by way of grace. However, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we know that we are children of God (John 1:12). To acknowledge that we are children of God is a sign that our rebirth from above has begun to take place in our lives. It says that we accept the fact that regardless of our age, we need and want to be parented by our heavenly Father.
