Testing and suffering produce perseverance in our lives, especially when we see that our circumstances come to us from the hand of a God who loves us and is using all things in our lives to make us whole and complete in him. There is joy in suffering if we can see Christ with us and leading us in the midst of it. But don’t stop with yourself. There is a world of aching hearts right in your midst. To whom are you called to bring joy and hope this week?
Falling Into Joy
January 8, 2017 - James 1: 1-8
January 8, 2017 • Rev. Dr. Gerrit Dawson
What Tomorrow May Bring
February 19, 2017 • Rev. Dr. Gerrit Dawson
Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Not a job, not a home, not a person, not a breath is guaranteed. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Not I. I know only that I will need him every hour, more than ever. That is the dying of pride, and, what do you know, it feels wonderful! To need him without hesitancy, without pride, is joy sweet and deep. The things that can be shaken have been shaken. But what cannot be shaken remains. Oh draw near to God today. Bring him your wounds. Bring him your losses. Bring him your need. Bring him your feelings of having a wave knock your feet out from under you. Bring him the sense of being lost on the trail. Bring him all of it. Call for him to put you on the rock that is higher and stronger than you are. Draw near to God that he might draw near to you. James 4: 7-8, 13-`7
Wisdom from Above
February 12, 2017 • Rev. Dr. Gerrit Dawson
Hysterical. Fearful. Anxious. Does the current atmosphere in our country leave you feeling any of these things? James 3 and 4 tell us that the peace, confidence and faith that allows us to remain steady comes from above (James 3 and 4). And remember, "The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27)