Updates (Page 124)

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…

May 20, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #11             My dear wife and I had our “one argument” many years ago, and in my unbiased and opinionated way, I knew I was right, and she was wrong. My demeanor was unpleasant and forceful, and all she needed was to have my perspective to be right. She was frustrated because she didn’t agree, and then hit me with an all-time zinger, “You may be right in judgment, but you are wrong…

May 13, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #10             There’s an old song…Slow down, you’re moving too fast! Go, go, go…You need to be productive! Get back on track! Don’t look back! You’re losing ground, etc. The silver lining in the COVID 19 cloud has afforded many of us the opportunity to refocus…Not that everything was out of kilter, but simply slowing down enough to take stock of what is important and essential. The shutdown has affected many of us…

May 6, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #9             I have always been a sports enthusiast, playing, watching, analyzing and in general enjoying the competition and camaraderie derived from athletics. Locker rooms are filled with catchy posters…“No pain, no gain…There is no I in team,” etc. Now it seems that even non-athletes are using sports clichés as motivation in their vocations; i.e., “It’s game time…The clock is running…Keep your eye on the ball…He really answered the bell…That was a…

April 29, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #8             We are in a season that is out of season. Days have lost their distinctives, routines upended, and special events have been cancelled. In the midst, I am so grateful you are alive and well. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the 60,000 that have died from COVID-19, not to mention those who are presently ill. It’s too easy for us to focus on our inconvenience…

April 22, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #7             I hope each of you are doing well…I continue to appreciate the many ways you have found to communicate and reach out. Our video podcast has been well received and will continue until we can meet again. We can’t forecast exactly when things will open up again, but we can use these days as opportunities to serve and bless. Last week we honored and prayed for our medical people, and…

April 15, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Update #6             It’s been six weeks since we started quarantines, social distancing and generally relegated to being homebound. The local, regional, national and international impact of COVID-19 is still before us, but we do have reason to be encouraged…not the least of which is the Lord is by our side. The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way, when he falls, he shall not…