Each year on my Summer Break I 'purge' my personal library, mostly because of limited space.  It is never an easy task to eliminate any book, but over the years it has been a good discipline that forces me to ask, 'do I really need to keep this one'?  I have reduced my inventory to roughly 300 books, which I would conservatively estimate are valued at $10,000.  Two-thirds of these books are reference resources, commentaries, word studies, theological writings and a collection of old hymnals. The remaining books are shelved alphabetically by author, many of them considered 'classics'.

While there is one bookcase of reference material that I have kept over the years, there are a few of those books I consider 'must haves':  The Bible Knowledge Commentary, a two-volume set, Vines Complete Expository Dictionary, The Macmillan Bible Atlas, A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, George Ladd's A Theology of the New Testament, and  A.T. Robertson's A Harmony of the Gospels and my 'go to' book, Rienecker's Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament.

Of all the books on my shelf, there is one the is prized above all the others that is simply titled The Psalms. It was published over 160 years ago, the author is unknown, identified only as G.V.W.  It is a rendering of the Psalms written in old King James language and using the Hebrew names of God, such as Elohim and Jehovah.

The Psalms begins with the words, Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of Jehovah (LORD -- the covenant name for God), and ends with, Let everything that hath breath praise Jah (the Lord).  In the psalms, God reveals Himself to us.  We read about His great mercy and His faithfulness; Thy mercy, O Jehovah is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds (Psalm 36:5).  As readers we are drawn to the One who is our Helper; Elohim is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

His divine attributes are revealed to us throughout the Psalms.  He is the Almighty (Psalm 59:5), the One who created all things (Psalm 148:5), the God who watches over us (Psalm 121:8), and the One who guides us (Psalm 25:5).  He is holy (Psalm 99:3), righteous and just (Psalm 89:14), compassionate, gracious (Psalm 86:15)  and loving (Psalm 144:2).  He is our source of joy (Psalm 1:11) and hope (Psalm 62:5).

The psalms speak to our humanity and the relationship we have with the Divine; they invite us to worship and praise our God, in every circumstance.  I will bless Jehovah at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).  We are exhorted to, taste and see that Jehovah is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him (Psalm 34:8).  How often do we find ourselves turning the psalms to find comfort, praying as the Psalmist did,  May your unfailing love be my comfort (Psalm 119:76)?  How many of us have turned to David's 23rd Psalm for reassurance, to be reminded, The Lord is my shepherd...Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (23:1,6)?

As I take some time to rest, refresh and renew, I will be withdrawing to my place of refuge, our back deck, to spend some time with my Lord, to meet Him once again in the pages of the Psalms.  May you too, find encouragement, hope and joy as you meditate on the Psalms.

Perhaps like me, you have been troubled, deeply troubled, by recent events.  I simply cannot fathom how an 18 year-old could shoot his grandmother and then enter a school and take the lives of so many children, along with two teachers.  I cannot image the anguish those families are experiencing; the images are heart-wrenching, and yet far too common today.  I cannot comprehend the thought of going to the grocery store and never returning home.  How do we seek to make sense of yet another racially motivated mass shooting? How do you explain the senseless school yard swarming and beating of a 14 year-old boy?   How do we process the horrific sights and sounds we see daily from the Ukraine? 

We see the expressions of anger, we hear the cries, 'this has to stop', yet the hatred and violence continues; even as those in power speak words of condemnation, but continue to stoke the fires of division and strife.  While all of this troubles me, I fear for the well-being of my children, for the world in which my grandchildren will grow up.  How do we as a people of faith process all this?  How do we respond to the chaos all around us?  

As I thought about this, three thoughts come to mind.  First, we have to remind ourselves of the truth about our humanity; that we are sinful beings.  We're not just a little off-track, such that a re-alignment will fix things. We deeply flawed, unable in and off ourselves to repair our brokenness.  The Bible says, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. (Jeremiah 17:9)  No call to action, to reconciliation and harmony, no legislation, law or policy revision, no program to improve mental health or provide sensitivity training, no amount of funding, no threat of punishment or increase in weaponry can change the human heart.  If we do not experience the grace of God, who alone can transform the heart of a man or woman, there is no hope of lasting peace.  

Secondly, we must return to the values we find in the word of God.  So  much of what is happening in our nation, in our world, stems from the fact that we have chosen to abandon, to ignore the truth we find in the Bible. We have failed to pass on these values to our children and ceased to be a voice for godly values in our communities; opting for a safe, comfortable 'religion'.  This doesn't necessary mean we have to demonstrate on the street corner, but we can make a difference by being kind and compassionate, speaking respectfully, demonstrating common courtesy, expressing appreciation rather than complaint and giving rather than demanding.   

Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus:  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29, 31-32)   May the words of Proverbs 21:23, from Eugene Pederson's 'The Message' speak to each of us...Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief. 

A simple 'thank you', can lift the spirits of so many that are feeling worn out and beat up and unappreciated.  A 'how can I help', might just be a lifeline to someone who feels helpless.  An 'I am here for you', may be that which gives hope to the hopeless.

Finally, we can and we must pray, for God has promised, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  

My friends at Valley, I want to encourage you to speak kindly, to act with compassion, to stand firm in the truth, to pray fervently and to hold on in trust, to the One who is our refuge and strength.  And maybe, just maybe, we can change our little corner of the world, as we seek to be agents of blessing; as we respond to the chaos that is our world today.

Recently a group of pastors were asked, if you had one last sermon to preach, what message would you bring to your people?  I did not have to think too long or hard on this matter, for I have often thought, if I only had one message to bring, it would be on the faithful love of God; a love that established a covenant relationship with His people, that was ultimately displayed in the cross and the empty tomb, and is for the believer, a day-by-day treasure in which we can find peace and joy in a sometimes scary, unstable world.

God speaks through the prophet Isaiah, of His unfailing love (Isaiah 54:10) and the psalmist writes about His lovingkindness (Psalm 103:4).  Both terms translate the Hebrew word 'hesed', which speaks of the loyal, consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, extravagant, unrestrained, unchanging love of the Father.  The word is sometimes translated 'steadfast love', 'mercy', 'kindness' or 'goodness'. It carries the idea of a tenderness toward others. It is a practical love that is always directed outward, that desires to bless others.  It is the love of God in action, as He cares for His people.

'Hesed' is one of the most fundamental attributes of God; His faithful love is revealed from cover to cover in the Holy Scriptures, it is consistent with His covenantal nature.  The psalmist says, Your lovingkindness is before my eyes. (Psalm 26:3 - NKJV)  Everywhere we look, we see the manifestation of God's goodness and grace, even in a fallen world. In part what makes this such a rich truth, is that, as theologian John Oswalt observes, 'hesed' is a completely undeserved kindness and generosity.  

David would write, Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me (Psalm 40:11 - NJKV).  As frail, fragile human beings we sometimes fail to understand just how much we need to experience God's faithful love; may we never take it for granted, but rather confess with David:
     How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the childrn of men put their trust under           the shadow of Your wings.  They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You       give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.  For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light         we see light.  Oh continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You. (Psalm 36-7;10 - NKJV) 

God's loyal love is a bedrock truth of our faith that strengthens us and empowers us as we live out our faith in a world that desperately needs to see love in action.  Because we have received an abudance of 'hesed' from God, we can be conduits of His love, we can be lavish in our expression of 'hesed' love to others.

Friends, no matter what tomorrow may bring, you can trust in, you can rely on God's 'hesed'!

Therefore, like the psalmist, we declare, Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. (Psalm 63:3)

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22)

​On this weekend, when we will gather around the Communion Table as part of our worship experience as we come together on Sunday, I find myself reflecting again on why I come to the Table of our Lord.

I come, not because I must, but because I may.
        I come, not because duty demands it, but because love compels me.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  (1 John 4:9)
 
I come because the Lord Jesus invites me to come.
        I come because He asks me to do this in remembrance of Him. 

Luke tells us that Jesus, as He celebrated Passover with His disciples, took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (22:19)
 
I come to remind myself a price was paid on my behalf.
        I come because here I meet the One who gave His life for me.

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. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
 
I come because at the Table I hear Him speak reassuring words, words of comfort, words I need to hear.
      I come because I am reminded that I am loved by God.

I hear Him speak the words God has always spoken to His people:  I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
 
I come to find a renewed sense of peace, to remind myself of the grace that is mine in Christ.
        I come because at the Table I find encouragement to stay on the journey with my Lord.

The Apostle Paul reminds us...since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. (Romans 5:1-2)

 I come with my doubts and fears and the struggles of my heart.
       I come to find rest, strength and courage; to refresh my spirit and rekindle my faith and hope.

In this the words of Jesus are both inviting and comforting:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
 
I come because at the Table I acknowledge my sin and seek His forgiveness.
        I come because He is faithful and just and will forgive me and cleanse me.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
 
I come to experience the power of the Cross, the power of His blood.
        I come to experience again the wonder of His love.
 
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 1:10)

I come, not alone, but in community with you, my friends at Valley.
        And so, I hope you will join me as we accept our Lord's invitation to come to His Table.

May we hear Him say to us, as He said to His followers the night He instituted the Lord's Supper:  I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this...meal with you... (Luke 22:15).


If you are unable to join us in-person, and would like to receive communion at home, please contact one of our Elders.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
                                                                                                                                                     Galatians 6:9

We all experience weariness in our lives--not simply a measure of physical fatigue, by which we are strengthened by rest, but also a weariness of the soul that can lead to discouragement; that can cause us to lose heart, to give up, to throw up our hands and cry out, 'what's the use'? 

We understand the exhortation to do good, to engage in those things that align with God's Word and God's ways; works that are rooted in love and faith and established in the strength of our Lord.  But doing good can become wearisome.  There is much to be done and often we encounter misunderstanding, opposition and ingratitude, even when seeking to do that which is virtuous, that which blesses others.

In our day, this sense of weariness may well be the great enemy of our spiritual lives.

To combat this weariness we need to run to the One who gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29); the One who promises...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).  

During those times when we can easily become distracted, weighed down, burdened by the cares of life and just weary, we need to hear the Lord Jesus say to us, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).  There is a divine strength we can find only in the One who leads us to green pastures and beside still waters, who restores our souls (Psalm 23:2-3).

There is also a renewed strength we find in the love and support of brothers and sisters in the Lord as we live out our faith in community.  Paul would say of Philemon...Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people (Philemon 1:7).

As I write these words, I am finding strength and encouragement in the Philemon's of my life.  One friend and ministry colleague wrote to me this week....Thank you for sharing your journey, my friend. I can read in your message a sense of weariness. Ken, I will be continuing to pray here. 

Another brother and fellow minister gave me these words of encouragement...Continuing in prayer.  Thank you for the update.  This is well-doing…don’t be weary of sharing, we are not weary of praying. 

A close friend, who has walked with me for many years offered these words that have blessed me and lifted my spirits...please be aware we see it as a privilege to pray for you and bring your concerns to the Lord.

I read these words and the burden seems lighter.  I reflect on the love and support of family and friends and a caring church family and I am richly blessed.  

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) 

I share this posting, to simply say 'thank you for your friendship'! 

The storyline of the Bible begins with a simple, matter-of-fact statement...In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)  While it is a revelation about the creation of the universe, it is more than that, it is a powerful declaration about the Creator, the God who stands above and behind the created world, the Author of all life. 

As we come to the end of the Bible, we read of a vision of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1) and the proclamation:  God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:3).  The story ends with a prayer for Christ to come and bring this about and with a note of grace:  Come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.  Amen.  (Revelation 22:20-21) 

God stands at the beginning and end of human history, and in between is story of God working out His eternal purposes through a people He has called to be His own.  In Genesis 12 we read of His call to Abraham and the promise that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3). The Bible is the story of God's relentless love and faithfulness, despite the sin and rebellion of mankind/ His own people.  He is the God who does not give up on His creation, who does not give up on these funny little creatures called human beings.  

The Bible declares in Deuteronomy 7:9:  Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love.  He is a covenant-keeping, faithful and loving God, who has been, is and will be at work in this world and in the lives of those who belong to Him.  For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)  He will finish His work in us, in your life and mine, the work of conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29)  

The Apostle Paul tells the belivers in Thessalonica that God himself, the God of peace will sanctify you through and through, so that your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  And then he tells them, the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it (24). 

Similarily we read in 1 Corinthians 1:8-9:  He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) 

To the Philppians Paul confidently tells them that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philppians 1:6).

God, who is the Giver of Life, is also the One who calls us and enables us to live by faith, a faith that allows us to become more and more like the Lord Jesus.  John tells us we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made [fully] known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him (1 John 3:2). 

Though in this fallen world we fall short of complete Christ-likeness, be assured that what God has started in us, He will finish!  As the old Sunday School song declares:

Little by little every day, little by little every way
My Jesus is changing me -- He's changing me
 
Since I made a turnabout face, I've been growing in His grace;
My Jesus is changing me
 
He's changing me, my precious Jesus
I'm not the same person that I used to be
 
Sometimes it's slow going, but there's joy knowing
That someday, perfect I will be

You don't have to hang around Valley very long before you will hear the phrase 'a better way'.  As we often say around here, 'God has a better way'.  It is a foundational truth of our faith, a truth rooted in the Bible.  The Psalmist tells us the way of the Lord leads to blesssing.  Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)  He goes on to say...the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalm 1:6)  

Mankind, has always had a choice, follow the ways of God, or follow your own way or the ways of this world, the ways of the Evil One.  One path leads to life, the other leads to death. It's now wonder Joshua would exhort the people to choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).   Jesus said:  Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

We understand the way of the Lord is not always easy, we are not immune to the realities of living in a fallen world or the consequences we face from making poor choices along the way. But, the way of the Lord is the way of forgivness, of mercy and kindness, rather than being caught in an endless cycle of sin and guilt and shame.  The Bible tells us, In Him, meaning Jesus, we have redemption...the forgivenss of sins (Ephesians 1:7).

The way of the Lord is the way of salvation over condemnation; there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  It is the way of eternal life rather than eternal seperation from God, the way of heaven rather than hell. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

God's way is for goodness to triumph over evil, it is the way of peace rather than strife, kindness rather than hostility, compassion instead of harshnesss.  Paul writes in Romans 12:  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-18,21)

Over and over again in His Word, the Lord offers to us a better way, the way of faith over fear, joy over misery, hope in anotherwises hopeless world. Therefore, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

In Deuteronomy 30, God says through Moses...I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you... .may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life (Dueteronomy 3O:19-20)

God's way really is the best possible way for any of us to journey through our days here on earth, and it is the only way for us to spend an eternity with Him in heaven. So, friends...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

The words of Jesus are simple and straight-forward:  Have faith in God (Mark 11:22).  As Christians, we understand faith is the very foundation of our relationship with Father in heaven; an unwavering trust in His goodness and grace.  It is by faith we come into a relationship with God.  Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8...it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.  And, in this world...we live by faith, not by sight (2 Corithians 5:7).  Faith is necessary for us to embrace the life God intents for us.

Faith is also necessary as we approach God in prayer.  This was the emphasis of Jesus' words in Mark 11:22.  He goes on to tell His followers...Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:23-24)  

These words of Jesus speak to us about the power of prayer; that our God is able to do what seems to us to be impossible.  He is the God who is for us, the God of the impossible!  His heart's desire is for His children to approach Him in prayer.  His Word invites us to...approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)  And, He is responsive to us when we pray.  Through the prophet Jeremiah God says to us...Call to me and I will answer you (Jeremiah 33:3).

These truths ought to give to us great cofidence as we approach our Father in prayer, but, we have to pray!  James tells us...You do not have because you do not ask God (James 4:2).  And when we ask, we must always do so with the understanding our prayers must align with the Word of God and the will of God. John writes... ​This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14). 

We also understand that not every prayer will be answered in the way we might want.  Sometimes our ask does not align with His purposes and we must always surrender to His plans for our lives.  Sometimes the answer is delayed and sometimes God has something better in mind for us as in answer to our prayers.  And, sometimes, rather than moving the mountain, God will give us the strength to endure the very thing we ask to be removed; sometimes our peseverance and even our suffering brings about an eternal glory; it is ultimately for His honour and glory.  Paul writes: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corithians 4:16-18)

We pray, not because we must, but because we can.  We pray because God invites us to let our requests be made known to Him (Philippians 4:6).  We pray because prayer is the pathway to God's presence and power, because prayer changes what is possible!

So my friends at Valley...Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philppians 4:6-7)  Our Father in heaven loves to hear the cries of His children!  Our good and gracious God will respond to our prayers!

Years ago (1984), Twila Paris wrote a song entitled The Warrior Is a Child.  She was just 22, her career as a Christian artist on the rise, when she wrote these words the capture the struggle of our inner frailty:

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing, strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me I'm hiding all the tears

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing, never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet

Chorus:  They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
              They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
              I drop my sword and cry for just a while
             'Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child

Copyright 1984 - New Spring - CCLI #264120

It is a bit embarrassing to admit, but these words resonate deeply with me.  For the past 35+ years in serving as a pastor, I have felt the vulnerability that is captured in the words of this song.  I have been blessed with a measure of strength that comes from the Lord but inside, sometimes I feel like a child.  So like the song writer I run to the One who is my refuge and strength.

'Refuge', the dictionary defines this word as: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble, a place of safety, security, a port in a storm, an oasis. God is all that more to us!

I like the way the Expanded Bible captures the words of the Psalmist:
     God is our protection [refuge] and our strength.
     He always helps [is an every present / timely help] in times of troube [distress].

     So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes [quakes] or the mountains fall [reel; totter]
     into the heart of the sea...

     The Lord All-Powerful is with us; the God of Jacob is our defender [refuge; fortress].
     (Psalm 46:1-2, 7)

Maybe it's Covid fatigue or the simple recognition that life in this world is sometimes hard, it just is, but for we who walk by faith, aren't you glad we have One we can run to who is our refuge, our place of safety and security, a port when the storms of life threaten to overwhelm us?  

Friends, I just wanted to write these words to encourage you to run to Him.

I drop my sword and look up for a smile
Because deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 
(Psalm 119:148)

Of late, I have been reflecting on the promises of God found in the Bible; a reflection that has become the impetus for our upcoming teaching series in the New Year.  From cover to cover, the Word of God is filled with His promises to us; promises that guide and direct our lives, that protect and sustain us, that give us hope and peace.  His Word is our source of truth and light and in it we find help and strength for each new day.

As we close out 2021 and look ahead to a New Year may these promises encourage you as you meditate on them, as we journey together through whatever 2022 brings our way.

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye  on you. (Psalm 32:8)

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand . (Psalm 37:23-24)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
(Isaiah 26:3)

...those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  (Isaiah 40:31)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(Matthew 11:28-29)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
​(Philippians 4:19)

I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

This is but a small sample size of the hundreds of promises we find in the Bible.  Therefore, I will lis ten to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants. (Psaslm 85:8) 

Perhaps there is a promise you would like to add to this list, please share it with us!  For...You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.  (Joshua 23:14)

It is a phrase we heard often last year at this time, "it's a different Christmas".   Another surge in the coronavirus had led to more restrictions, and to what was truly unprecedented in our lifetime, as we were unable to gather in-person to celebrate Christmas.  Who would have thought then, that year later we would still be saying, "it's a different Christmas"?

The newest variant of this virus, that has gripped the world since early 2020, once again threatens our Christmas traditions and celebrations.  While we hope and pray we will be able to continue to gather together with family and friends and as a community of faith, we also recognize the unknown nature of this variant may yet lead to more measures to protect us--not a place any of us want to go, particulary this time of the year.

For Janice and me, this is indeed "a different Christmas".  While there is great hopefulness with Noah and Luke, there is still a cloud of uncertainty about where they will be on Christmas morning; perhaps still in the NICU at Women's Hospital in Vancouver, perhaps in the NICU at Kelowna General Hosptial, or dare we even think, maybe even 'home for Christmas'?  We continue to covet your prayers to that end!  We celebrate the progress they have made and rejoice in God's grace to them, but we know Christmas this year will be different.  Add to that, still unanswered questions about a personal health matter, and we must confess Christmas just isn't the same this year.

But...in the words of the song writer, I still believe in Christmas, that God so loved this broken world, He sent His only Son (John 3:16).  He left his home in heaven to make heaven my home; my Emmanuel is with me and I'll never be alone. I still believe in healing for the weary and the hurt; and in a world that's so divided, I still believe in peace on earth.  I still believe that love is strong enough to conquer hate; and in a world that won't believe it, I still believe enough to say, God so loved this broken world He sent His only Son. (I Still Believe in Christmas by Anne Wilson)

Every year at Christmas, regardless of what is happening in the world around us, we come back to the wonder and beauty of the baby born in Bethlehem; to the awe-inspiring truth of the incarnation; that God sent His Son to redeem lost mankind, to reconcile us to the Father.  The Christmas story reminds us, we are loved by God. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

For me, if I can bask in the wonder of such love, if I can hold on by faith to the truth that I am the beloved of the Father, if I can rest in the peace and joy I find in Christ, then "a different Christmas" cannot steal away the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ.  

We might not find much in this world to believe in, but...I still believe in Jesus, the name above all names. (I Still Believe in Christmas by Anne Wilson)

May God help us to believe, and in believing may we be seized again by the wonder and joy of Christmas!

In writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul would say:   Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

He would go on to write:  God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  (1 Corinthians 12:24-25)

This sense of oneness/ unity was and still is the mark of the people of God.  The Psalmist would say of God's people: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 33:1)  The song writer picks on this truth when he writes:  Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.  (John Fawcett)  In a world that has become increasingly divided, where darkness and destruction abound, the Church united stands as a beacon on light and hope, revealing that God has a better way to those who long to find what we have experienced in the Body of Christ.  Therefore, we must do everything to protect the unity of the Church.  Paul exhorted the believers in Ephesus:  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  (Ephesians 4:3)

Paul's words remind us it takes effort to maintain unity; it often calls for us to surrender our own agendas and to put the interest of others ahead of our own.   Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phiippians 2:3-4)  In the world in which we live, this kind of selfless love and concern for others is counter cultural, but then the Church has always been called to live out a different set of values.

In this continued time of uncertainty, when so much divides us, we remind ourselves we are one in Christ.  We choose unity over division, we choose to love and respect, even when, especially when, we do not see eye to eye, we choose a better way, we choose God's way.  My friends at Valley, thank you for doing your part to cherish and protect the bond of love we share in Christ.  

C.S. Lewis once observed...the church is not a human society of people united by their natural affinities but the Body of Christ, in which all members, however different, (and He rejoices in their differences and by no means wishes to iron them out) must share the common life, complementing and helping one another precisely by their differences.   Though all different, we are all one in Christ!  Paul reminds us, you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27)  How blessed we are to be part of the family of God!  

Recently we looked at the words of Heman in Psalm 88, a unique psalm of lament in which the writer expresses a depth of grieve and sorrow that makes us uncomfortable -- it is a Beth Tanner observes an 'uncomfortable psalm'.  It confronts the ways we pray and the ways we think prayer must be done.  It confronts all of the memories we have of dark and lonely nights in our own lives. It confronts the relationship we have with God. 

Though it may make us uncomfortable, this text reminds us that there is a place for lament in our worship, both private and corporate; it give us permission to grieve and to bring our sorrows to God.  It gives a voice to our sadness and points us to the One who meets us in our sufferings and gives us hope.  

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)

We wait because we know in God’s Kingdom, pain and sorrow do not have the last word.  The last word belongs to God and it is always a word of great hope.  Even though the dark night of the soul sometimes lasts a long time, though we may feel isolated, even abandoned, we hold to what we know to be true, that we are never alone, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
 
Our tears are precious to the Father and we worship HIm through those tears, as well as in times of happiness.  When we do express our sorrow, we make room for renewed hope and joy, for we have this promise from God's Word, that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)  

We remind ourselves that Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant has defeated death and the grave; that in Him we are eternally secure, and we look forward to that day when God will wipe away our tears and there will be no more mourning or crying or pain. (Revelation 21:4).  BUT...we are not there yet; in this world we still weep.

Psalm 88 reminds us of these truths and gives us permission to bring our tears to God, it reminds us there is a place in the community of faith to share our burdens and our sorrows, and above al, it reminds usl that there is One we can trust to deliver us.  Therefore, we confess with the Psalmist, Lord, you are the God who saves me. (Psalm 88:1)

I think again of the beautiful words of Carleen Mandolfo, who makes this observation about God and human suffering:  Perhaps God is sitting with His people.
 
Friends, in this season of our lives, we need to learn to sit with each other.  I want to encourage you to make this a time of prayer for; use our Prayer Corner to be praying throughout the week.  Take a moment today to call someone, to check in on them, especially those who are alone and those who are dealing with signifcant health or family concerns; send an message of encouragement, a card or note to let them know you are thinking about them and praying for them; provide practical assitance if you are able to do so and continue to make Valley a safe place for us to share together the ups and downs of life.

Thank you for being a caring and compassionate church!  May God continue to give us eyes to see and ears to listen, that we might be His agents of blessing in a hurting world.

It is at the very core of what it means to walk by faith; a truth that is beautiful in its simplicity and profound in the depth of its meaning.  The Psalmist says it rather succinctly, In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. (Psalm 25:1)  The foundation of our faith is trust.  Over and over again the Bible exhorts to trust the Lord.

David writes in Psalm 28:7, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  Finding a measure of strength, protection and help along the way is rooted in a heart that has learned to trust the Lord, in all circumstances, especially when our world has be shaken and our faith may be wavering.  There is often a temptation to trust our own strength, our own abilities, but, our strength will fail us, our own abilities are limited, and then we have to ask, where do I turn for help?  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  (Psalm 20:7)

Not surprisingly, David would pray:  Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Psalm 86:11)  For each of us, this is a day-by-day, sometimes, moment-by-moment prayer.  We were never intended to navigate our way through life on our own.  The promise we have from God reminds us, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)  Therefore the Psalmist could say, I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)

David could confidently say:  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  (Psaslm 9:10)  How incredibly reassuring to know our God never forsakes those who seek after Him.  In those quiet moments when we lie awake at night, burdened by the cares of this world, God sees our quiet trust and holds us close; truly we are never alone.  He is the God who sits up with us through the dark night of our soul and promises us a fresh infusion of His mercy as a new day begins. 

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

What does it mean for you, to be trusting the Lord, in this season of your life?

It has been said, 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.  When I see this picture of Luke, holding tightly to Andrea's hand, it is, as a friend wisely observed, a reminder that we must hang on to the Giver of Life for our every breath.  

For a month now, these little guys have fought and they continue to fight. Every day they hold on to life is a small victory as their bodies struggle to develop.  THANK YOU for joining in this fight; your prayers matter!

Thank you for your words of encouragement to Janice and me and to Andrea and Jason.  Every day they make their way to the NICU, they see the lights flashing, the alarms beeping, they watch closely the monitors.  To see your little ones struggling, to see their oxygen levels or heart rate fall dangerously low, to watch the dedicated staff move quickly to respond and wonder will they rebound, is heart-wrenching.  As a dad I just want to hold them and reassure them 'it's going to okay', but that isn't possible right now; and so we trust and pray!

The Bible encourages us to, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  (James 4:8)  Through all the ups and downs of these past few weeks, our God has been gracious and kind, His faithful love a constant source of strength and joy.  We have also found a source of great blessing in sharing this journey in community, with friends who have stormed the gates of heaven, interceding for Noah and Luke.  THANK YOU for praying!

Right now, we are holding on by faith, our joy tempered by the reality they are still fighting for their lives.  By faith we are looking to that day when they are strong enough to leave the NICU and go home, to that day when they will come to Valley and I can say, 'I would like you to meet my grandsons, Noah and Luke'.  We covet your continued prayers!

The words of the God, as recorded by the prophet Isaiah strengthen and encourage me:  For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you. (Isaiah 41:13)