How are you?
It is a question that begs curious introspection. My emotions are all over the place. Some moments I got this. At other times I most likely do not. How then can I help others when I cannot help myself? You may want to wrestle with this question and provide your perspective through the week. I’d love to hear from you.
It is Passion week. This is a dark week in the life of Jesus just before his burial on Good Friday. It teaches us that mankind could not help themselves and that is why Jesus died for us, literally, for our weaknesses He made himself weak. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016)
My answer to my struggle with my emotions calls forth from the empty tomb on the third day… “Sunday is coming!” “He is alive!” “I know that I shall live!”
Reponses from the weekend…
From Brien; “Just letting you know that yesterday, my father knew my sister (by her maiden name) and knew who he was. No news on Gideon, which is good news…”
From Kenda; “Dad (James Cockerham) is quite ill with a flu at Apple Rehab in Rocky Hill…”
From Dorinda; “Friday, I ordered my groceries through the Walmart App. I thought I had ordered a bunch of (7) bananas along with other things. After convenient pick up I discovered they gave me 7 bunches of bananas.”
From Kevin and Terry; “We really liked today’s sermon, thank you Pastor Mike.”
From Kevin Baldwin; “Our donors, who do not itemize, can now donate $300 per individual or $600 per couple for 2020 and get a charitable deduction. I think we may want to incorporate this in our next communication along with along this thought. . . “Soon you may be receiving $1,200 per adult from the IRS as part of the stimulus package created by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Our understanding is that this will be income tax free and was created to help Americans meet personal financial challenges. If you are blessed to not need all of this money for personal needs, please prayerfully consider sharing it with those charities that you support who provide for other’s needs. These ministries, such as your church and missionaries (both local and international), may be in need of additional support to continue sharing the Good News.”
Sight and Sound of Lancaster, PA is making available this week FREE to you, last years production, JESUS. It is an amazing 2.5 hours of realistic sets, all-professional actors, and powerful music for this life-changing story of the Son of God…. Go to https://watch.tbn.org/sight-sound-theatres-presents-jesus
Do have the time tested and popular YouVersion Bible – “Seeking God Everyday” App on your cell phone or device. Choose the translation or version you wish and then a study or reading plan from one of many available. These meditations are like the Daily Breads many of us are familiar with but on steroids. All free! Download at https://www.youversion.com/
Join us! The next Friends Conference call (Bible Meditation and Prayer) is planned for TONIGHT, Monday, April 6th, at 7:00 pm.
- Dial 857-444-6500 at 7:00 pm
- Enter the ID Code: 845-101-528 when prompted
- You are in with us!
How are you? Please reply to this email with your testimony and prayer request. Thanks.
Please send all church offerings to: CLC, PO Box 91, Colchester, CT 06415. Thank you.
Pastor Mike Brubaker, DMin