Where were you when…?

12 Sep Where were you when…?

In the midst of significant events, in our own lives or in the life of the world around us, we often remember what we were doing or where we were when that event occurred.

I was reminded that 22 years ago on the 11^th of September hijacked airliners caused enormous damage to the United States. The World Trade Centers fell, the Pentagon was seriously damaged, one plane was crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, and around 3,000 lives were lost. Nations were left in turmoil for years to come. In many ways, our world experienced changes on that September 11^th that still effect our lives today.

 

What I remember most about that day is the hours our church staff spent on the phone trying to locate our many members who were part of aircrews (pilots & flight attendants) for the various airlines that called the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport home. I remember the desperation of a single-mom flight attendant who rang me from the Bahamas where her flight was grounded. She was trying to reach her mother to tell her she was fine but wouldn’t be home until US airspace was fully opened again to air travel (It would be nearly a week for her) and could her mother pick up her son from kindergarten that day & look after him until she returned home.

 

That night, every church in our area was packed to overflow. We prayed, sang, wept, and proclaimed the gospel promise of God who would see all things made new because he had already died an unjust death to be raised again for every sinner ever. My ministry colleagues & I each shared brief devotions. I started with the prophet Habakkuk’s complaint to God in Habakkuk 1 asking how long & why God allows injustice, wickedness & violence to persist. Many if not most of us were asking the same questions that night. I ended with Habakkuk’s bold ringing statement of faith in chapter 3 beginning with verse 17:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

“Even though…yet…” God’s sovereignty & eternal promise are always enough to undergird our lives…always. We can always trust our saving Father. He is where our strength is found. He is where our hope is found. Trusting in Him causes praise & joy break out from deep in our hearts when our circumstances don’t seem to warrant anything but weeping. I hadn’t thought much about this particular anniversary…but then it seemed I couldn’t get away from thinking about it…until the hope came back & the praise returned. I trust in your circumstances this week, the Spirit works in you to bring back the hope & praise and to renew the joy we share in Jesus Christ.

And…while we’re being renewed let’s also remember those who find this week difficult for whatever reason, and let’s offer them the hope within us.

 

Also…we have our regular week ahead…

Zoom Bible Study Catch-up

Friday, 15th September 2023 @ 1:00 PM 

Join Zoom Meeting  —  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83586782734  —  Meeting ID: 835 8678 2734

 

Sunday, 17th September, is a Morning Tea Sunday! This is always a great day to bring a friend!

 

Wagga’s Lake Run & Ride is the following Sunday, 24^th September. We’re setting up between 8:00-9:00 for a 9:30 start to the “Ride” part of the event. After it’s all over we’re in the Guide Hall for lunch & worship together at 12:00 noon. Many hands make light work! So the more folks we have to help the better the morning will run. Bring something to share for lunch & enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere for the day.

 

Living Water’s Annual General Meeting seems set for 15^th October immediately following worship (You should see reports about the week before). Please mark that date! We’ve got so much to be thankful for this year, and so much to pray for as we live into the years ahead of us. Last week I mentioned that I’ve included in my report & asked the Steering Team to think through a “What I’d do again. What I’d do differently.” thought process.  Looking back on the 10 years of Living Water…If we were to launch & support a new ministry in some way, what would you want to make sure we did again to get that new ministry on a solid footing? What would you counsel we do differently? And of course…Why?

Thank you again…for your prayers, generous gifts & incredible faithfulness over these amazing 10 years together.

I can’t wait to see what God has for us in the next decade. I’m glad we’re making that journey as a family of disciples!

Peace,

John