Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another,
be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
These final words from the Apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth are simple, but powerful. While we might be tempted to overlook closing words, dismissing them as common conventions in ancient letter writing; typical of Paul's letters, his final greetings offer a summary of key messages within the letter. Here, the Apostle closes this letter with five commands, to rejoice, to seek restoration, to encourage one another, to be of one mind and to live in peace. Each command speaks to what it means to do live together in the church. There is an emphasis on oneness, unity, fellowship and harmony and the promise of God's blessing...the God of love and peace will be with you.
You've heard me say many times, 'we are not perfect', we are an imperfect church led by an imperfect pastor. There have been times in our fallenness we have not got it right, but despite our flaws, Valley remains a church that seeks to live in unity, to bless, to encourage one another.
Over the 15 years we have journeyed together with you, we have been blessed to be on the receiving end of such encouragement. More recently we have been filled with joy through the cards, notes, emails and verbal expressions of love, concern and gratitude that you have shared with us. At a time when I've been wrestling with thoughts of inadequacy, feeling like I have not, particularly over this past year, been able to do all I would have wanted to do because of an on-going health issue, your words of encouragement have touched me and Janice in a way words cannot adequately capture.
To read: We are so blessed to have you and Janice her with us! You are loved and appreciated. We ae so fortunate and encouraged to be able to call you and Janice our friends. Thanks for all the good things you have brought into our lives. Thank you for your meaningful teaching and for being you. Your calling is a blessing from God! and all the other expressions of kindness has truly encouraged both Janice and me. I find myself echoing the words shared by one of you, The Lord God has blessed you in all the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 2:7).
Thank you for cheering me on, for sharing in our journey as husband and wife and for the blessing you have been to our family; thank you for praying, for understanding and for the grace you have extended, particularly this past year. Thank you for walking with Luke and Noah through their journey and for celebrating Charlie's arrival! Thank you for being so good to us, for being to us the church -- I am so glad we are part of the family of God at Valley!
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2 - The Message)
You've heard me say many times, 'we are not perfect', we are an imperfect church led by an imperfect pastor. There have been times in our fallenness we have not got it right, but despite our flaws, Valley remains a church that seeks to live in unity, to bless, to encourage one another.
Over the 15 years we have journeyed together with you, we have been blessed to be on the receiving end of such encouragement. More recently we have been filled with joy through the cards, notes, emails and verbal expressions of love, concern and gratitude that you have shared with us. At a time when I've been wrestling with thoughts of inadequacy, feeling like I have not, particularly over this past year, been able to do all I would have wanted to do because of an on-going health issue, your words of encouragement have touched me and Janice in a way words cannot adequately capture.
To read: We are so blessed to have you and Janice her with us! You are loved and appreciated. We ae so fortunate and encouraged to be able to call you and Janice our friends. Thanks for all the good things you have brought into our lives. Thank you for your meaningful teaching and for being you. Your calling is a blessing from God! and all the other expressions of kindness has truly encouraged both Janice and me. I find myself echoing the words shared by one of you, The Lord God has blessed you in all the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 2:7).
Thank you for cheering me on, for sharing in our journey as husband and wife and for the blessing you have been to our family; thank you for praying, for understanding and for the grace you have extended, particularly this past year. Thank you for walking with Luke and Noah through their journey and for celebrating Charlie's arrival! Thank you for being so good to us, for being to us the church -- I am so glad we are part of the family of God at Valley!
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2 - The Message)
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