Hi Friends Family!
Sitting on my porch this week, praying and enjoying the fact that I have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, it was my friends going through hard things that weighed heavily on me. It came to mind how much I want quick fixes and easy answers for them. "God, if I just speak the Name of Jesus, that should be enough, right?" "God, if I just pray this, or if they could just believe that..."
Easy answers, band-aid Bible-Verses, & simple Christianese expectations do not quick-fix deep soul wounds. I have my own deep soul wounds - the only thing that has given long-term remedy to those hurts is learning that God takes me just as I am when those hurts cause me to doubt, to question, to sigh, to check-out, to get mad, to ______ (fill in the blank). The Psalms have been part of that learning. They are filled with every emotion on the human-experience spectrum, giving vent to the things that don't make sense and press in to crush me. There is comfort in knowing God understands our broken reality.
You know, this is why we care so much about valuing the Ways of Jesus and the Word of God, and educating ourselves and our community in God's Truth. When we begin to understand God and ourselves the way He revealed in Scripture, we start to understand our reality as we live this side of heaven. He is God; we are not. He has ways that we aren't privy to, but the ways we are privy to tell us just how loved we are and how good He is (John 3:16-17,for example).
And so, I carry these dear ones to Jesus in prayer, believing the power of His Name for them, of course, but praying for their faith to remain steadfast as they endure the hard that is this life. And I pray for my own faith, because sometimes the answers that don't come cause those deep soul wounds to hurt again.
As we turn the page for another chapter in Philippians - spoiler alert - we continue to see that Paul didn't get easy answers or quick fixes. But he got more of Jesus, as he chose to believe beyond the hard he was living in and to live out the calling on his life right where he found himself - in a Roman prison. Did you ever stop to think that in his low moments in that prison, Paul might've questioned the words of Isaiah 61, prophecying that the Messiah would come to release prisoners and set captives free? Maybe Paul didn't question that, but I do sometimes. As I learn from Paul's witness, though, the truth that Jesus carried and kept him teaches me that Jesus will do the same for me. And, I get to believe and ask Him to do the same for my hurting friends.
If your questions are great big and your hurt is deep, I'm praying for you as well. And if you want to pray together, come pray with us at the front of the sanctuary after any of our Sunday services. We would be honored to pray with you.
See you tomorrow,
~ Amy & Your Friends Church Staff Team
Notables:
National Day of Prayer - May 7 at Noon at the Belmont County Courthouse.
Graduate Sunday - May 17. Have a senior to celebrate? Click here to sign up.
Royal Family Kids Camp - June 8-12. See the sign-up below! Will you pray with us for all these dear little ones and those giving their time?
Dad Camp - June 19-20. Details and sign-ups coming soon!
VBS - June 22-26. Kids' Sign-ups are open! Servant Team sign-ups are growing! What a week it's going to be as we focus on Jesus as the Light of the World!
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Royal Family KIDS serves children in hard places. These kiddos have often seen the world at its worst. Many carry trauma they didn’t ask for, and struggle to trust adults.
Through Royal Family Kids Camp, one week each summer and mentoring throughout the rest of the year, children are paired with committed adults who demonstrate the love of Jesus.
Whether you pray, give, or commit to being a counselor with Royal Family KIDS camp, you make it possible for more children to receive love and build memories that last a lifetime. Thank you!
When: June 6-12
Where: TBA
Requirements for Camp Counselors: Background check & interview with Camp Directors. Please register by May 1st.
VBS Child Registration
At Illumination Station VBS, kids will explore how the bible reveals who Jesus truly is. Each day points them to the truth that Jesus is the Light of the World–the promised, powerful Son of God who brings forgiveness and hope.
When:
June 22-26
8:00am to 12:00pm
Please sign your child up for the grade that they just completed.
VBS Servant Team Signups!
VBS is one of the most impactful weeks of our entire year!
Whether you love being up front with kids, working behind the scenes, helping create the environment, or supporting with details, there is a place for you to jump in and make a difference.
VBS Week: June 22–26 | 8:00 AM – Noon
Set Up Days: June 20–21
Tear Down: Friday, June 26 (immediately after VBS)
Let’s come together as a church family and serve the next generation with joy, excellence, and purpose.
We would love for you to be part of it!
Also available as Markdown.