On
My Way Out of Town...
Many of you know
I'm heading off for a few weeks, driving my youngest son David to begin
his master's degree in political science at Illinois State (Shirley will
fly into Chicago and meet us there later in the week). I wanted to leave
a few thoughts with you as I prepared to leave on this little vacation
(2 weeks).
First, we were saddened
to learn on Sunday that former Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran, O.K.
Anderson, passed away. He had been suffering with long-term effects
of M.S. and succumbed to pneumonia about 6 am Sunday. Our prayers go out
to his wife Kathy and their children. Here is a link to his obituary, with
details about Pastor O.K.'s life and details about the service:
http://www.millerfh.com/index.php?option=com_obituary&task=details&oid=4115&Itemid
If you would like
to send a card, the address is:
Mrs. Kathy Anderson
708 E. 70th Pl.
Sioux Falls, SD
57106
Second,
wanted to remind you all that on August 29th, the 5th Sunday of the month,
we will again have a healing service.
This is an opportunity to experience a time of prayer in front of the altar,
praying with me or other members of the prayer team about whatever is on
your heart, whatever is damaged and in need of healing, whatever is burdening
you.
Finally,
I wanted to share a quote that I came across again recently that has been
on my mind. It's from French author Anais Nin:
"And the day
came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk
it took to blossom."
I've been thinking
about that all week for some reason - as I spoke with people, as I counseled
with people, as I met people who were struggling with or against things,
it kept drawing me in. As I reflected on it, a section from Romans
8 came to mind:
28 We know that all
things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according
to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn
within a large family.
30 And those whom
he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified;
and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then are we to say
about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who
did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not
with him also give us everything else?
33 Who will bring
any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn?
It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right
hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from
the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we
are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:28-39 (NRSV)
Blessings, Peace
and Joy! You are in our prayers - Don't be afraid to blossom - God is on
your side!
Pastor Larry
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