Evening: Thank you, Jesus!

Thank you, Hillary, for your posts, today. They definitely put me in the mode of gratefulness. I did not spend much time praying for Adam, today. More of my prayers were spent thanking God for the healing that He has already worked in Adam.

Psalm 30:4-5

Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people;
    praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.

I have been in a "praising mood," today. Maybe you are not. In Hillary's mid-morning post, she included a song that I really like to play when I am not feeling so grateful. If you are in a difficult place, go back and listen to it.

Adam's progress over the past few weeks has simply left me in awe of God's healing power. After reading Amy's blog post, she seems to be in the same place.

    Here I am with all I am
    Raise my hands to worship You
    I wanna say thank you, oh thank you
    For everything, for who You are
    You cover me, You touch my heart
    I wanna say thank you
    ~Thank You, The Katinas

Just say, "Thank you!" to God, tonight. Thank Him for being with us. Thank Him for never letting go. Eleven months of healing, and God never let go.



Good night, and God bless!

Dinner: Lift Your Hands

I hope you have been able to set aside some time with us today to worship. If this is not the case (or even if it is), I encourage to review some of today's posts in an extended time of worship. I realize earlier that I mentioned there is no right way to worship God, except to come before Him in humility, acknowledging that He is Lord. While this is true, there are certain postures, if you will, that become a physical expression of your heart.

Whether it's dancing for joy, bowing on your knees in reverence, raising your arms in praise, or holding out your hands with palms up, ready to receive from the Lord, I challenge you to physically express worship tonight.

This first song is one of my favorites. The first line speaks of surrender, giving thanks, and trusting. Then, it goes on to say, "When I don't know what to do...." Are you in one of those places where you don't know what to do? Maybe you don't know what to do as you face a tough decision. Maybe it's that you don't have the words to say. Maybe you don't know how to act in a manner worthy of the Lord. Whatever it is, offer this song up as a prayer of surrender, thanks, and trust. And, as you do so, lift your hands...even if it feels strange and awkward at first.

So I will bless you as long as I live;in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63:4

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!

Psalm 134:2

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

Psalm 141:2

Mid Afternoon: We Cannot Say Enough

No matter how many praises we sing or thanks we give, we could never say enough about our God.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1

Lunch: A Jar Full of Thankful

This is my jar full of thankful. Each marble in it represents something I am thankful for. Today my thankful jar consists of thanks for blessings such as family who surrounds other members of the family with prayer, financial provision even without full employment, and a God who continues to reveal His love to me through creation and other people.

Likely not coincidentally, my past two Wednesdays were very trying. (Often times we face trial, known as spiritual attack, when we are intentionally and boldly doing something in the name of the Lord.) These day have required some extra, set aside thanksgiving. Today, I encourage you to do the same thing. You may not have a jar of marbles (although I highly recommend it for the audible sound of thanks each clink provides), but take a handful of something --- paperclips, goldfish crackers, candies, etc. --- and one by one, hold the item, lift up a prayer of thanks to God for something specific in your life, and then set aside that item. Do this with each item until you have a set aside pile of "thankfuls." Here are a few reasons to give thanks, just to help you get started:

• You are alive and breathing today and in relative good health if you are reading this.
• For Adam's ongoing recovery and recordable progress!
• That Adam is showering and dressing himself.
• That Adam is answering questions loudly and clearly.
  
• That Amy was able to get surgery for her back.
• That Macknezie has already had a good start to school in Orlando.
• Our God is a living God.
  
• Shelter and food.
• For the life and renewal of spring.
• For a God who listens to our prayers.
• And the list goes on and on...

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness
and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 7:17

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to Him in song.

Psalm 28:7

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O Lord my god, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Mid Morning: In God's Hands

No matter what pain we are facing and what prayers we have that remain unanswered, no matter if our world is shaking, and our hearts are breaking, we do not leave God's hands.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Breakfast: How Great is Our God

by Hillary Mortensen

Good morning, and thank you for joining us for another day of prayer and fasting. It is such an encouragement to know that others join us to intercede on behalf of Adam and his family.

Wow, this week has been a crazy sort of week, hasn't it? Adam, Amy, and Mackenzie have just been settling into their new normal in Florida; many experienced the loss of a loved one this week; and we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord at Easter. Many have experienced disturbed schedules, grief, transition, feasting, celebrating, and more.

Well, the blog this week is also on a bit of a different schedule. With so much going on, there is a tendency to focus on ourselves and our immediate circumstances. Thus, we will take some moments out today to simply focus on the Lord, His character, and how He has provided for us out of His goodness.

This morning, let's start out with the song Amy mentioned singing with Adam yesterday, as described in her recent post. It focuses on the greatness of our God.

If you are able to, right where you are, sing along in praise. If you're not able to sing aloud, close your eyes, listen to the words, and make them your prayer of praise. There is no "right" way to worship but to humbly come before the Lord and proclaim His holiness and in this case, His greatness. Worship. Worship not because you necessarily feel like it, but because God is God and is worthy of all praise.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise...

Psalm 45:1a

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:2

Morning After: He is Risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Luke 24:1-8

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.



Not much else matters, does it?

If you don't already have plans to, make plans to attend an Easter service this Sunday. If you live nearby, you are always welcome to join our family in Sherwood, Oregon. Send an email to doug@hedgescreek.com and I will send time and address info.

Evening: Lover of My Soul

1 Peter 2:24-25

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

We have spent a lot time on holiness, today. At dinner time, I included a definition, and followed up with a comment that I simply cannot meet the standards of holiness. I am confident that you are right there with me. The good news is that we don't have to attempt holiness on our own.

Peter reminds us that Jesus died for us, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness (holiness). Because Jesus suffered and died for us, we have been healed. I am so grateful that I am under the care of the Overseer of my soul!



I will make these words part of my prayer, tonight:

    I love you, I need you,
    Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go
    My Savior, my closest friend,
    I will worship you until the very end
    ~Jesus, Lover of My Soul, Hillsong

Pray

As we pray, this evening, let's spend some time meditating on the Easter story — time thinking about God's plan for our salvation. Let's thank Jesus for bearing our sins on the cross, that his wounds healed us all — including Adam. Our souls have been made whole!

Let's continue praying for Adam's full physical recovery. Let's pray that his healing would bring honor and glory to Jesus.

And, a special prayer for Pat Ashby (see post where I introduced her) and her family. I just received word that she may have less than two days to live. She wanted to make it to August in order to see her expected grandchild. It appears that the Lord has other plans.

We'll meet one last time, in the morning.

Dinner: Timeliness and Holiness

2 Peter:8-9, 11b-12

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance...

...You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

There are two themes presented here. The first is about Gods' timing. Peter tells us that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. He goes on to say that the Lord is not slow in keeping promises, at least as we mortals understand slowness. It has been, and continues to be, my belief that many are praying for Adam's healing according to scripture...according to God's promise. One of these promises appears in the book of James.

James 5:15

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

I continue to believe that God is working a healing in Adam. Full recovery will happen according to God's schedule, not ours.

The second theme is one that has already shown up in prior posts — holiness (quite intentional as it is Holy Week). Peter reminds us that we ought to live holy lives. What does it mean to live a holy life? Let's take a look at a definition:

Ho´ly

a. 1. Set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use; holy vessels; a holy priesthood.

2. Spiritually whole or sound; of unimpaired innocence and virtue; free from sinful affections; pure in heart; godly; pious; irreproachable; guiltless; acceptable to God.

If I was unsure about the meaning of holiness, the dictionary has made it quite clear to me. My life is to be set apart to the service and worship of God. I am to be spiritually whole...free from sinful affections...pure in heart...acceptable to God. The bad news is that I cannot be all those things. The good news is that Jesus is. Jesus is our high priest. He alone makes us acceptable to God. Because Jesus is holy, he makes us holy.



Pray

As we pray, let's remember to ask:

• That Jesus would make us holy in the presence of God.

• That God would honor His promise in scripture — that He would honor our prayers in faith with Adam's healing, according to His timing.

• That God would help Adam adjust to his new environment in Orlando...the same for Amy and Mackenzie.

And, remember to give God thanks for the work that He has done in Adam, including the increasing volume in his voice (read Here I am Lord)!

Mid Afternoon: His Love Endures Forever

by Hillary Mortensen

Last night, when celebrating with my first ever Passover Feast, I learned the tradition of ending the meal with Psalms 113-118. While I encourage you to read all of those psalms, I will note that in Psalm 118, we are repeatedly instructed to give thanks to the Lord. In fact, the psalm both begins and ends with, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Take time to thank God for what is mentioned in Psalm 118:

• His love endures forever
• He sets us free
• He is with us
• He is our helper
• He is our refuge
• He is our strength and our song
• His right hand has done mighty things
• He has become our salvation
• The stone which the builders rejected, he has made the cornerstone (Jesus!)
• He has made his light shine upon us

Also take time to thank God for the specific and mighty ways he has worked in and through Adam's life, as well as what he has done for you over the past 11 months.

Sing praise!




Let's meet again at dinnertime.

Lunch: Jesus, the Holy, Spotless Lamb

by Hillary Mortensen

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Jesus is the Lamb of God. But what exactly does that mean? To truly understand this, we need to take a look back at the story of The Passover. (See Exodus 11-12:42.) Passover, which is observed and celebrated by Jews this week, is a time for remembering when God rescued his people, the Israelites, from the plague of the death of the firstborn by passing over their homes when the blood of a sacrificial lamb (without defect) was wiped on the door frame of their homes, just as the Lord had instructed. The people bowed down and worshiped God as they recognized that God saved them.

Later in Exodus, we see that again, for generations, a lamb was sacrificed at the temple both morning and evening to atone (make amends for) for the sins of the people.

Throughout the New Testament, when Jesus is referred to as a lamb, we see that he is the perfect, ultimate, spotless, holy lamb who sets us free from and atones for our sins. This is why we no longer need to sacrifice lambs to receive forgiveness of our sins and to enter into the presence of God. Consider how these passages about Jesus relate to the story of Passover:

1 Peter 1:18-21

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Romans 6:22-23

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 5:7

Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.



Pray

• Thank God for saving us from sin and (spiritual) death
• Thank Jesus for pouring himself out as an offering for us
  
• Ask God to reveal your fears to you, which will indicate where you are placing your faith apart from Him
• Recognize our need and dependence on God, especially as we go through trials like Adam and his family are encountering
• Tell God he is holy (not because he doesn't know, but to serve as your reminder) and praise him for it
  

Mid Morning: Cry Out to Jesus

Joel 1:14

Declare a holy fast;
call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
and all who live in the land
to the house of the LORD your God,
and cry out to the LORD.



Cry out to Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in prayer.

Breakfast: Be Holy

Good morning! Welcome to our day of prayer and fasting. I pray that you will find time to set aside for prayer and meditation, today. It is Holy Week, so there will be an emphasis on preparing ourselves for the days ahead — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.

Leviticus 19: 1-2

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

Two years ago, I was invited to join a small group of men to study The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges. My first thought was, "Holiness? That sounds kind of like something for pastors, great religious leaders, or at least somebody other than me!" I simply did not see myself as ever being holy.

To help confirm my thinking, the verse above was one of the first I read. It kind of confirmed to me that this entire holiness idea was an Old Testament teaching, superseded by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The book, and its roots in scripture, taught me otherwise. Consider these (New Testament) words from Paul to Hebrews:

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (emphasis added)

Sure, I read that verse before, but must have glossed over it. Reading Bridge's book, which repeatedly referred to passages like this one, changed my way of thinking to, "I want to be holy! I want to see the Lord!"

Of course, I am only human. It is impossible for me to be holy like God. Fortunately, Jesus atones for my sins, and with His forgiveness, makes me appear holy to God. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross, and rising again to proclaim victory over satan.

    My heart's one desire
    Is to be holy
    Set apart for You, Lord
    ~Refiner's Fire, Brian Doerksen



Pray

• If you are ready, tell God that you want to be holy

• Ask for the forgiveness of your sins

• Thank God for advancing Adam to a new level of care in Orlando

• Thank God for all of the miracles that He has performed in Adam's life over the past 11 months.

• Ask God to strengthen the family bond between Adam, Amy, and Mackenzie in their new environment

For Holy Week, we will revert to our "old schedule." There will be a mid-morning post that will include a verse and worship song.

Eve of Fasting: Better is One Day

Psalm 84:10

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Here we are on Tuesday evening of Holy Week. I look forward to celebrating Easter on Sunday. In preparation, I want to spend more time with God. Tomorrow, the middle of Holy Week, is a great opportunity to spend a day with God. It's only one day, but it is the first day of the rest of eternity.

Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask from the LORD,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
    and to seek him in his temple.

As we prepare our hearts for a joyous celebration on Sunday, let's spend time with God, tomorrow. Better one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere.



This evening, pray that many would spend exta time with God, tomorrow, and througout this week as we prepare to celebrate Easter.

Special Invitation for Next Week

Join Us Next Wednesday!

For 11 months, a number of us have set aside Wednesdays as a special day of prayer for the recovery of Adam Root. Some of you have participated regularly; some on occasion. A few probably participated during the first week of Adam's recovery, and never returned. Regardless of which category you might find yourself, I invite you to join us on Wednesday, April 20th.

What's so special about the 20th? It falls in the middle of Holy Week, the days leading up to the celebration of Easter. It's also Adam's first week in Orlando, Florida. Let's turn out in big numbers to praise God, and to lift up Adam in prayer as he begins the next leg of his recovery. It's a great opportunity to honor Jesus during Holy Week, and to get Adam off to a great start in his new environment.

Prayer Request from Amy:

"This is a huge prayer request, that Adam will have no troubles with the going up or down the stairs (on the plane to Orlando) on Monday. Please pray for his safety as well."
(read entire blog post)

I pray that you will join us, beginning with an "Eve of Fasting" post on Tuesday, April 19th. Although encouraged, you don't have to fast to pray with us.

No Posts: April 13th

My schedule does not afford me time to blog, this week.

I do encourage, you, however, to set aside time to pray for Adam, Amy, and Mackenzie on Wednesday. Of course, we should pray daily, but make it a point to set aside some extra time on Wednesday (I will be).

God willing, I will return to posting on April 20th, which is in the middle of Holy Week. There is no better time to fast and pray than the days leading up to Easter!

Morning After: Suffering is Only for a Little While

1 Peter 5:10-11

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Read Chapter 5 of 1 Peter

I like this verses. After we have suffered for a little while, we will be restored. Whether it be Adam, Pat Ashby, Brandon Burge, or quite possible, you, the suffering is for a little while. Then you will be restored. To God be the power!

Certainly, some suffer more, and others suffer longer. Yet for all, it is a short while when compared to an eternity of being restored. Thankfully, our God is a God of grace.



Be sure to pray for Amy as she heads into surgery tomorrow morning. Pray that God would guide the surgeons hands, that the surgery would be successful, and that Amy would heal quickly. She is facing a move to Florida in less than two weeks. Pray that Adam would get even stronger while Amy is away.

Have a blessed day.

Evening: Meet with Me

1 Peter 4:7b-10

Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Read Chapter 4 of 1 Peter

There is a lot of instruction in a few verses — be self-controlled, pray, love each other, be hospitable (without grumbling!), serve others, and administer God's grace (faithfully). I am sure that I could attempt to follow only these instructions for the rest of my life and never reach the finish line! Thank God for His grace and mercy!

Of course, the "mission" of this group is to unite in prayer each Wednesday. That is one day a week in which some (many?) of us make an extra effort to follow one of Peter's instructions. I should strive for more. God is willing to meet with me everyday. I should be ready to stand and sing praises to Him everyday.



Pray...

• That God would come and fill this place.

• That God would continue to strengthen Adam's walk

• For Amy and Adam's "to-do" list to dwindle down, quickly.

• That Amy would be calm as her surgery approaches.

• For Adam's full recovery.

We'll pray together one more time, in the morning. Good night.

Dinner: Common Cause

1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Read Chapter 3 of 1 Peter

It isn't the American way, is it? Or, perhaps it isn't the way of any "civilized" society. Our culture does not teach us to be humble, yet it does teach us to "get even" if somebody wrongs us.

How difficult is it to repay evil with blessing? Extremely so. I need to pray about that one...a lot.

"The Holy Spirit knew what He was doing when He moved the Apostle Peter to write to the early Christian church about the reality of being “of one mind” in their fellowship.

Peter was not asking all the brothers and sisters to settle for some kind of regulated uniformity. He was recommending a spiritual unanimity—which means that the Spirit of God making Christ real within our beings will also give us a unity in certain qualities and disposition.

Peter leaves little doubt about the fruits of genuine Christian unanimity within: “Be alike in compassion. Be alike in loving. Be alike in pity. Be alike in courtesy. Be alike in forgiving!” Then he sums it all up: “Finally, be ye all of one mind!”

God’s love shed abroad in our hearts—compassion and love which can only be found in Jesus Christ—these are the only elements of true unity among men and women today!"
~A.W. Tozer

    So there's a common bond between us
    And the mission for me is a mission for you
    We have a common cause to link us
    ~Strong Love, Newsboys



While praying...

• Pray for unity among all believers

• Pray for unity in the Root family

• Thank God that Adam is getting stronger and that his walking is improving

• For Amy's surgery on Friday morning.

We'll get together one more time this evening.

Lunch: Healing and Salvation

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Read Chapter 2 of 1 Peter

There are two kinds of healing: physical; and spiritual. Some interpret this verse as referring to physical healing, while others believe it to be a reference to spiritual healing. Personally, I believe it is a reference to spiritual healing. Spiritually, we are all sick. Jesus heals us. Amen!

As a result of being healed spiritually, I don't have to worry about my physical well being. Whether sick or healthy, injured or fit, I live with the confidence of my salvation.

With regard to Adam, I have every confidence that he has been spiritually healed, which is more important. We can all praise God for that. Whether he is (fully) physically healed is yet to be seen. Let's rejoice in Adam's spiritual healing and salvation...and keep praying for his physical healing.

1 Peter 1:9

for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.



Pray

• That Adam's clarity and memory would improve.

• For Adam's ability to process information.

• For God to bring increasing volume to Adam's speech.

• That God would guide the hands of the surgeon operating on Amy's back.

We'll pray together, again, at dinner time.

Breakfast: Praise, Glory, and Honor

1 Peter 1:6-7

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Read Chapter 1 of 1 Peter

We cannot know God's ways. He sees the world from a much different perspective than we do. The apostle Peter writes that we suffer grief so that the genuineness of our faith will result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed. God works everything to bring Himself glory. After all, He is God!

When I think of the grief that so many have endured over the past 10 months, I have confidence that the end result is to bring praise, glory, and honor to God. As I mentioned above, I do not know God's plans, I just know this outcome. I wonder, however, if maybe God is waiting for the right person or persons to praise Him.

This morning, as we pray, be sure to ask God for help in rejoicing despite Adam's long, painful, recovery process (and for other trials that you may be suffering). Ask that your faith will genuine, and that it will result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus is revealed.

Praise God for the great progress that Adam has made in recent weeks. And, continue to pray for a smooth transition to Orlando.

    When all God’s children sing out
    Glory, glory, hallelujah
    He reigns, He reigns
    ~He Reigns, Newboys



See you at lunch time.

Eve of Fasting: Looking for Hope

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Why am I quoting this verse, tonight? Last week, I read 1 Peter. Of all the authors of New Testament letters, Peter is the one that we seem to know the most about. There are various accounts of him interacting with Jesus, including some very "human moments," where he lacked faith. Despite all of his weaknesses, Jesus told him that He would build His church on Peter. Pretty heady stuff.

Anyway, if it was upon Peter that Jesus would build His church, then a letter from him should be very authoritative instruction. So much so, that tomorrow's posts will all be based on passages from this letter to believers in what is now Turkey. Peter wrote this letter to offer encouragement in the midst of their suffering. We all face trials, and many of us are probably in the midst of one, right now. We know that Amy, Mackenzie, Jack, Cookie, and the rest of Adam's family and close friends have been in a severe trial for the past 10 months.

Tomorrow (and Thursday morning), I will include a link to a chapter in the book of 1 Peter. I ask that you would take time to read the complete chapter (it will only take a few minutes) at the designated times (breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening, and the morning after).

Why a new format? Peter's letter instructs us that God can use challenging times to strengthen us. Knowing this can bring hope, and I believe that it is important for all of us to have hope. Taking a few minutes at four intervals throughout the day is a small commitment, when the reward is to receive hope in return.

    In this trial that I'm going through
    I don't question 'cause I know it's true
    That the sorrow brings me back to You
    And You have made me stronger
    ~40 Days, Third Day



Let's pray that God would make Adam, and his family, stronger.

We'll meet in the morning.