Writing this weekly letter/ blog is a very good thing and challenge all at the same time. It’s good, because it gives the author a chance to communicate things on their heart which God is teaching and hopefully it is also very helpful for those reading to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus. It’s challenging, because regardless of what is going on in the writer’s life, it comes due every week. During my 29 years as the primary writer, with God’s help, I’d estimate I wrote over 1,000 of these letters. Whew!
Pastor Nick does a very excellent job. Each week after reading what God has put on his heart I generally always send a thank you and very brief note of encouragement. If you think about it, please consider praying for him as he sits down to write. It’s not easy to do so week-after-week hoping to write what is pleasing to God, helpful to the reader, and interesting enough to be read and retained.
Even though it’s always a privilege, I’m grateful I now only write a few of these during the year. Many times, it has been hard to know exactly what I should write. I’ve struggled with this one, but this morning after Sharon and I had coffee as I was asking God for help, this came to mind.
Often when meeting with someone I close our time by praying something like this, “Father, I humbly yet boldly ask, today in a way which makes sense to ________ will You please make Yourself known in a very intimate and special way.” (Please, insert your name.)
Today, this is my desire for each of you who are reading this letter. My hope and joy would be for God our Father through His Holy Spirit by way of your faith in Jesus to make Himself known to you in a deeply personal and meaningful way. I really don’t know what that means for you as each of us presently need and experience God in different ways. But, whatever you need today, would God draw very close in a very unique and loving way.
But, also know, you need to play your part. You need to humble yourself, ask God for ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to discern His presence. You need to be intentional and open for what He has to say. It might be a very small whisper or shout. It might come by way of a friend, stranger, sunset, song, smell, or whatever. But please, invite God to speak and listen very prayerfully and carefully. Then, remember to be very grateful and worship. Happy listening.
Peace,
steve
.
art: detail of "And She Wrote Color" by Ted Byrne
Pastor Nick does a very excellent job. Each week after reading what God has put on his heart I generally always send a thank you and very brief note of encouragement. If you think about it, please consider praying for him as he sits down to write. It’s not easy to do so week-after-week hoping to write what is pleasing to God, helpful to the reader, and interesting enough to be read and retained.
Even though it’s always a privilege, I’m grateful I now only write a few of these during the year. Many times, it has been hard to know exactly what I should write. I’ve struggled with this one, but this morning after Sharon and I had coffee as I was asking God for help, this came to mind.
Often when meeting with someone I close our time by praying something like this, “Father, I humbly yet boldly ask, today in a way which makes sense to ________ will You please make Yourself known in a very intimate and special way.” (Please, insert your name.)
Today, this is my desire for each of you who are reading this letter. My hope and joy would be for God our Father through His Holy Spirit by way of your faith in Jesus to make Himself known to you in a deeply personal and meaningful way. I really don’t know what that means for you as each of us presently need and experience God in different ways. But, whatever you need today, would God draw very close in a very unique and loving way.
But, also know, you need to play your part. You need to humble yourself, ask God for ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to discern His presence. You need to be intentional and open for what He has to say. It might be a very small whisper or shout. It might come by way of a friend, stranger, sunset, song, smell, or whatever. But please, invite God to speak and listen very prayerfully and carefully. Then, remember to be very grateful and worship. Happy listening.
Peace,
steve
.
art: detail of "And She Wrote Color" by Ted Byrne