Thursday, August 25, 2011



It was the day after a dear friend's funeral. I walked into a local Starbuck's, ordered and paid for my specialty coffee and walked out to my car. After my next stop, I suddenly realized that I didn't have that yummy "tall, extra hot, non-fat, decaf, no-whip mocha" in my possession. In fact, I had simply walked out after paying for it, instead of waiting for it to be made. For a moment, I contemplated my sillyness and whether or not I wanted to head back there and pick up my now lukewarm coffee, if it was still sitting on the counter there at all. Thankfully, I've learned to laugh at myself over the years, so back I went. The barista and I had a good chuckle about it and he generously offered to remake my coffee drink so it would be piping hot again. I let him. And I told him a bit about my week. Actually more like my summer - a season marked by some difficult times - losses of dear people, other friends who are hurting and some illness of my own.

The truth is, there are those seasons where difficulty seems to come in waves that pummel us and can leave us in a bit of a fog. Grief, pain, illness, injustice, hunger, fear, loneliness, anger - these are some of the emotions that can shape our view of life in this world. We need something to hold onto when circumstances leave us reeling. We need a light to guide us through our fog. That light is Jesus. He is the truth that guides our way. Paul's invitation to set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things reminds us that it's our view of things that can make a difference in the midst of life's circumstances.

This fall, our large group Women's Bible Studies on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings will be doing a study together aimed at guiding our way through the fog of this world and its daily, sometimes soul numbing grind to the Kingdom Life available to each of us as we follow Christ. This practical, in-depth study of Colossians 3 will serve as a roadmap to transformed living, which is why we're calling it "Living it Out." There will be a large group teaching time, followed by discussion in small groups - an opportunity to share authentically and crawl into each others hearts as fellow companions on this pilgrim journey. If you're serious about living your life as God intends, you won't want to miss it.

Register after services August 28, September 11 or 18.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you Loraine for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I'm hoping to attend the Wednesday night study. I appreciate you.

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