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August 12, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation (trouble), but take courage; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33 Update #23       Would you be upset or disagree if I said troubles are here to stay?…all kinds of troubles. We could make a never-ending list. The word trouble is derived from the Latin word turbo, which means to turn or stir, cause a sense of agitation…

Dear SCC & Friends, Update #22             Is your glass half full…or half empty? I’ve read the end of the book, and we (the church) win. Hallelujah! It’s between the beginning and end that we struggle. Years ago, Reggies Wenyika was speaking at SCC and said, “When God closes one door, He opens another, but it can be hell in the hallway.” How many times has the hallway limited our perspective of God? How many times has the hallway been…

July 29, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, …that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…~Pet. 1:7 Update #21             I have had the privilege of being on many missions in different parts of the world. In particular, SCC’s Mexico mission trips hold a special place, as we took teams of high school…

Dear SCC & Friends, The first to plead his case seems just, until another comes and examines him. ~Proverbs 18:17 Update #20                 One of the hallmarks of maturity is the ability to not be reactive and listen when someone disagrees with our perspective or opinion. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. ~Prov. 16:2 We are all a work in progress and need the Lord’s help and guidance to grow. Jesus is the…

Dear SCC & Friends, Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.~Hebrews 10:35-36 Update #19 Is it possible to throw away your confidence? Apparently so…We throw away things we deem useless, outdated or of no value. The Greek word for confidence is hupo (under) stasis (standing)…literally our understanding. There is much “noise” and many…

July 8, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things…~Psalm 103:2-5 Update #18 Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the…

July 1, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #17 We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ~Declaration of Independence Happiness is a pursuit not a guaranteed outcome. Human history is a clash of “isms.” The ideals of the Declaration transcend all the “isms.” God-given self-evident truths point us to higher ground, even when we the people fall short. An…

June 24, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #16 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 Amazing verse about time and eternity–Everything appropriate in its time…I can’t help but think of all the inappropriate things in our time, yet He has placed eternity in our hearts for now and always…that we…

June 17, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #15             But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 2 Thess. 3:13 Apparently, we can get weary (tired, fatigued, inured, bothered, frustrated) which is not good but very real for many of us. How do we overcome setbacks and despair in the midst of a global pandemic, intense social unrest and economic uncertainty? How do we stay focused on the eternal in the midst of the temporal? I’ve got some good and…

June 10, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #14             Even in the midst of these difficult days, we can know for certain the Lord works everything according to the counsel of His will. He does not sanction nor is the author of murder and mayhem. He is our Lord and Savior who works redemptively from generation to generation. Recently, I was watching Alveda King (MLK’s niece) on television and was struck by the genuineness of her love and compassion.…

June 2, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #13             It takes a lot to knock COVID 19 off the front page. We are all painfully aware and deeply saddened by the circumstances and tragic events regarding the death of George Floyd. Many people are on edge, justifiably frightened and concerned both for their neighborhoods and the nation as a whole. Many peaceful protests have turned violent, as we watch opportunists and anarchists spark chaos and bedlam in our streets.…

May 27, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #12                 It’s been nearly three months since most of our country went into shut down. During this time, I have been in contact with many of the local pastors in our area via Zoom. We share a common love and concern for the Lord’s purpose in these days. Churches are different in size, style and constituency. The timing and methods of how each church re-gathers will also be diverse, and that…