Why Love Is Beautiful and Painful
In the sermon yesterday I preached on the Christian idea of LOVE. Not the sentimental thing that most people mean when they use the word, but the tough, redemptive commitment that God calls us to. Here's the sermon. Warning, it's not easy.
Here are some thoughts from the day...
*It was sad to say "goodbye" to the Compaans. It's been great to worship with them for the last two years. Praying God's blessing on them as they enter the next stage of their journey.
*Is it possible they are the only family from ICB that's moving away this summer?
*I'm not looking forward to the mass summer exodus as it sounds like a huge percentage of the congregation will be traveling for big parts of June and July.
*Modern hymn "In Christ Alone" went really well this morning. We are wonderfully blessed to have musicians who are dedicated and flexible (both of talent and opinion).
*Guy came up to me after evening worship and said, "is this the normal number of people?" I said, maybe a little on the low side, but about right. He said "There were 38 people." Really? A guy passing through came in and counted heads and then thought he should tell me? ^-^ BTW - he miss counted. He didn't count kids. To me, they count.
*Loved Chris' introduction to the service in the evening, "wherever you are on the journey, we're glad you are here." Right on target.
*Note to self, we need a better music stand for the piano. As Chris was trying to lead, his music kept falling around.
*Thanks to the Church Council for an interesting meeting. It was particularly fun to have Rebecca Skype in from Singapore. Is there any good reason to miss a meeting now?
*Finally - it's true that if you do stuff the way the Bible says, you'll get hurt. But you'll also find peace and joy. It's true. It's true.
Thanks God for your love and care. Thank you for leaving the comforts of heaven to come and be with us, die for us and resurrect to glory. Help us to follow you for the sake of the world.
Here are some thoughts from the day...
*It was sad to say "goodbye" to the Compaans. It's been great to worship with them for the last two years. Praying God's blessing on them as they enter the next stage of their journey.
*Is it possible they are the only family from ICB that's moving away this summer?
*I'm not looking forward to the mass summer exodus as it sounds like a huge percentage of the congregation will be traveling for big parts of June and July.
*Modern hymn "In Christ Alone" went really well this morning. We are wonderfully blessed to have musicians who are dedicated and flexible (both of talent and opinion).
*Guy came up to me after evening worship and said, "is this the normal number of people?" I said, maybe a little on the low side, but about right. He said "There were 38 people." Really? A guy passing through came in and counted heads and then thought he should tell me? ^-^ BTW - he miss counted. He didn't count kids. To me, they count.
*Loved Chris' introduction to the service in the evening, "wherever you are on the journey, we're glad you are here." Right on target.
*Note to self, we need a better music stand for the piano. As Chris was trying to lead, his music kept falling around.
*Thanks to the Church Council for an interesting meeting. It was particularly fun to have Rebecca Skype in from Singapore. Is there any good reason to miss a meeting now?
*Finally - it's true that if you do stuff the way the Bible says, you'll get hurt. But you'll also find peace and joy. It's true. It's true.
Thanks God for your love and care. Thank you for leaving the comforts of heaven to come and be with us, die for us and resurrect to glory. Help us to follow you for the sake of the world.
