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Welcome to
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Hey everyone, happy Palm Sunday!
How are you? I mean that. How are you doing? How is your family doing? How are y’all coping with this strange new – and hopefully very temporary – normal?
I feel like I’ve experienced so many different moods and emotions over the past several weeks. Today is only the 4th Sunday our church has been “closed”, and yet it feels like so much longer. I’ve been busy. I’ve been bored. I’ve eaten way too much. I’ve had no appetite at all. I’ve hiked, and I’ve been lazy. I’ve slept later than I normally do, and I’ve gone to bed early out of sheer boredom. I’ve woken up early, and I’ve stayed up late binge-watching Netflix.
Above all, I have missed you.
Although I knew it already, I have really come face-to-face with just how much each of you mean to me and how much my life is blessed by you.
Next week is Easter. And although it’s for sure going to be the strangest Holy Week and Easter any of us have ever lived through, nevertheless, Easter is coming. And Easter is all about Good News. Easter is the empty tomb after the darkness of Good Friday and the “nothingness” of Saturday. That’s sorta where I think we are right now…that “day in between”, that Saturday. Waiting.
I’ve written a devotion about that waiting. It’s below this one. I’d love for you to take a minute and check it out.
But in the mean time, as we experience that waiting that we’re all going through together, and as we prepare for the arrival of Easter, I’ve decided to do some things.
Mainly, tonight, I just wanted to say hello. I miss you. I can’t wait until we can get together again!! Can. Not. Wait!!
Until then, stay safe and keep in touch. I love you!
HB
How are you? I mean that. How are you doing? How is your family doing? How are y’all coping with this strange new – and hopefully very temporary – normal?
I feel like I’ve experienced so many different moods and emotions over the past several weeks. Today is only the 4th Sunday our church has been “closed”, and yet it feels like so much longer. I’ve been busy. I’ve been bored. I’ve eaten way too much. I’ve had no appetite at all. I’ve hiked, and I’ve been lazy. I’ve slept later than I normally do, and I’ve gone to bed early out of sheer boredom. I’ve woken up early, and I’ve stayed up late binge-watching Netflix.
Above all, I have missed you.
Although I knew it already, I have really come face-to-face with just how much each of you mean to me and how much my life is blessed by you.
Next week is Easter. And although it’s for sure going to be the strangest Holy Week and Easter any of us have ever lived through, nevertheless, Easter is coming. And Easter is all about Good News. Easter is the empty tomb after the darkness of Good Friday and the “nothingness” of Saturday. That’s sorta where I think we are right now…that “day in between”, that Saturday. Waiting.
I’ve written a devotion about that waiting. It’s below this one. I’d love for you to take a minute and check it out.
But in the mean time, as we experience that waiting that we’re all going through together, and as we prepare for the arrival of Easter, I’ve decided to do some things.
- First, I have decided to use this waiting time as a time to deepen and grow in my relationship with Jesus. I’m reading scripture more. I’m praying more. I’m reading books about how to live a Christian life more.
- Second, I am praying for you. Each of you. By name. So please, let me know how I can pray for you. What do you need? What do YOU need? Please let me know. You can text me, call me, or drop me a prayer request (below on this page.)
- Third, I’ve made a decision to NOT let my circumstances control who I am or how I feel. That’s gonna be the subject of my devotion this week in our Zoom meeting. I hope you’ll be able to join us Wednesday at 8 PM. I’ll send you the log-in info.
Mainly, tonight, I just wanted to say hello. I miss you. I can’t wait until we can get together again!! Can. Not. Wait!!
Until then, stay safe and keep in touch. I love you!
HB
Here's a link to my devotion on waiting...
A PRAYER FOR CONNECTION
God,
Being alone is hard. We were created for community, not confinement. But we’re grateful that no matter how alone we may feel, you never leave or forsake us. And, we’re grateful for technology that helps us stay in touch with each other.
Today, please remind us that this time of social distancing and isolation will not last forever. Give us the strength to endure this difficult season and deepen our connection with You and Your people.
Empower us with an extra dose of Your love, peace, hope and joy, because we need it. Remind us of Your promises, and please heal our land.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
God,
Being alone is hard. We were created for community, not confinement. But we’re grateful that no matter how alone we may feel, you never leave or forsake us. And, we’re grateful for technology that helps us stay in touch with each other.
Today, please remind us that this time of social distancing and isolation will not last forever. Give us the strength to endure this difficult season and deepen our connection with You and Your people.
Empower us with an extra dose of Your love, peace, hope and joy, because we need it. Remind us of Your promises, and please heal our land.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2o Inches to Mercy
Some of you may know who Louie Giglio is...he's the pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta. They're the ones who put on "Passion" each January in Atlanta, which is like Resurrection on steroids!! Anyway, since we've been unable to have church recently, I've watched (for the past two weeks) the live-stream of Passion City Church. This video is from this past Sunday, March 22. It's worth watching, so if you have a few minutes, check it out! It's a great message about what we're going through and what we, as followers of Jesus Christ, need to be about. It's about a journey of 20 inches, one that we're sometimes reluctant to take. I hope you are blessed by this!