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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

New Year Reflections 2023

1/2/2023

1 Comment

 
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God hath done
                                                                                                                     Johnson Oatman Jr.
Lord my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us--
too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.
                                                                                                                                                 Psalm 40:5 - ERV
As I look back on this past year, there are some things I am happy to put in the rearview mirror; for me this has been a particularly challenging season.  Yet through it all, God has been faithful and good. and when I reflect on all His blessings, there is much to celebrate.
Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go, always, everywhere. I will always be with the Eternal, in Your house forever.
                                                                                                                                        Psalm 23:6 - The Voice
I have experienced day-by-day, God's sustaining grace, His divine favor and comfort.  I have known a measure of peace and joy that words cannot express, that give to me a hope that never fails.  His love surrounds me and I am guided by His Word and His Spirit.  

I am blessed to be part of a loving, caring church family.  Your support and encouragement throughout these past months has been a gift to me and Janice.  Thank you for the compassion and grace you have extended to us.  One of the great joys in my life is to be sharing the journey together with friends at Valley.

Beyond our church family, we have also been encouraged by friends who have walked with us for many years.  The older I get the more I have come to appreciate these on-going friendships.  Though time and distance may separate us, the bond of love we share holds us together.  

Our children and grandchildren continue to be a source of joy in our lives.  It's hard to believe our youngest will turn 30 this year, even harder to grasp the fact that we now have four grandsons!  As God continues to write the story of our family, we are overwhelmed by His kindness to us.  ​
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.
                                                                                                                                           Proverbs 18:22 - NLT
Of all of the gifts God has given to me, outside of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus, the gift for which I am most grateful is that of a loving wife, who has been a faithful companion and friend these past 40 years.  We have walked the pathway together, through all the ups and downs.  I love the life we have built together! 

It is not an exaggeration to say, 'I don't think I could have navigated this season without Janice by my side. She has literally picked me up when I have fallen.  To call out to her and know her tender care has been one of God's blessings in my life this past year.  It has been humbling to have to let her cut the grass or shovel the driveway because I just couldn't take another step, but if you saw her wave her hand, 'give it to me', you would know I had no choice!  I love her quiet, gentle spirit and caring heart. She tells me she still needs me to open the jar of pickles, so I guess she'll put up with me a little longer!

Friends, I share these reflections to remind us that our God has been and will continue to be gracious and kind as we move into the year 2023.  Happy New Year!
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
                                                                                                                                    ​Numbers 6:24-26
1 Comment
Lia Pinske
1/9/2023 10:17:15 pm

We are blessed to have you as our Pastor! As spouses we do things for each other when the other is down! We are both blessed to have a husband/wife that loves us and will do anything to help us!!

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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, Charlie), Andrea & Jason (Noah, Luke).

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