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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Finished Well

5/28/2016

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You don't have to  hang around Valley for very long before you will hear the words 'finish well'.  It is a message I believe God has given to me; a message to share within the community of faith and within the broader community in which we live.  Each of us must ask, how do I want to spend the rest of my days here on earth, however long that season of time may be? 

With each birthday, we recognize the frailty of our humanity.  For some, health concerns have served to heighten this reality.  We know our days on earth have an expiry date, but are we on a path to finish well; to come to the end, knowing we have a confident faith that will carry us across the finish and to our home in heaven?

Recently I was reminded of importance of finishing well as I stood by the grave of our friend Bob McKay; his marker had just be placed--a marker that speaks powerfully of one who did finish well.
Picture
I smiled when I saw the image of the birds!  I'm not a bird-lover but whenever I see a hawk soaring in the sky or see a bird I don't recognize, I think of Bob and that brings a smile to my heart. My faith was encouraged saw the image of the cross, for Bob was a man of faith who understood the centrality of the cross of Jesus in the Christian faith -- the cross of Christ is our only hope!  

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

When my eyes moved to the bottom of the maker, I saw the words 'Finished Well'.  I had to choke back tears as I thought again about Bob's courageous battle with cancer and unshakeable faith he lived out and modelled for us.  What a fitting testimony to mark the resting place of one who has crossed the finish line; one who finished well.  Bob's life and faith inspire me to stay the course, to fight the good fight and to finish well for the honor and glory of our Savior.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  (1 Timothy 4:7)
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    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley) and Andrea & Jason.

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4312 Black Sage Road Box 1235 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 250-498-4829 valleyccc@hotmail.com