“Tragic Times” Update

In an earlier post I mentioned that our church is dealing with the suicide of the husband of one of our members. We had a very profitable time tonight at the visitation. The family continues to demonstrate peace surpassing understanding. Our church family is “rallying,” and frankly, a young church plant is “growing up” and learning to meet each other’s needs. Pure religion, after all, is not merely a Sunday affair.  We are learning to care for orphans and widows in their need, and it’s a blessing to watch it happen. The lady I mentioned in the earlier post–the one whose brother killed himself two and a half years ago–was there tonight & went out of her way to minister to the sister of the man who just took his life. And George–the man whose wife (“Miss Cindy”) recently entered the Lord’s presence–was there, offering understanding and hope to the new widow. Again, seeing 2 Cor. 1:3-4 carried out in real life is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

The Lord is working in our body, and He’s doing so through trials.  The last few months have been the toughest in our church’s short history, but they’ve also been as spiritually profitable a time as we’ve had. We rest tonight assured that the Lord is both good and sovereign, and that these trials are not only brief, but also are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Thanks to those who are praying and have offered encouragement.  Please pray specifically for the service Friday morning, especially that the power of the gospel would be unleashed and that the lost would be drawn to Christ.