Read Gen 32:22-32 

 

"What's the secret to being a good bull rider?"

When a newspaper reporter asked a Montana cowboy that question, he pushed back his hat and grinned: "You've just gotta want to hang on worse than the bull wants to throw you off."

 

Jacob might have preferred eight seconds on the back of a bull to the situation he faced. As he traveled to Canaan-a journey that would reunite him with Esau, his brother-Jacob carried not only his possessions but also a heart full of guilt and sin. He'd taken his brother's birthright and blessing and had lived ever since in constant fear that Esau would seek revenge. Feeling desperate and overwhelmed, Jacob spent a night alone to take advantage of a little peace and quiet.

 

Instead, he got the fight of his life-a wrestling match with God!

Have you experienced something similar? Maybe you're troubled with a stressful situation at work, a dispute at church, a disagreement with a friend or a struggle within your family. So you seek a place that will give you a moment or two of peace or stability, only to find that the emotional and spiritual load you've been carrying has settled firmly on your shoulders. And rather than clinging to the One who can provide real relief, you find yourself making the situation worse by dwelling on the burden and letting worry get the best of you.

 

  

Sometimes you have to put everything else aside, reach out to God and hold on with everything you've got. The only way you can really escape the burden of sin and guilt is by embracing the One who defeated these burdens-along with death. Make no mistake-the God who created the world, who holds the stars in check and who knows the most minute issues that you struggle with, cares. He loves you and is waiting for you to trust him with your cares and concerns-present, past and future.

To paraphrase that wise Montana cowboy, "You've just gotta hang on to God more than sin and guilt want to pull you away."

 

In what situations are you tempted to let go of God? Why?

 

Join us Saturday, July 4, for our traditional First Saturday Breakfast. Our FIRST SATURDAY BREAKFASTS are that of legend...   Join us!!

See you Saturday!!

St Augustine in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, written in 393, begins with the profound assertion that "anyone who piously and earnestly ponders the Sermon on the Mount - as we read in the Gospel according to Mathew - I believe he will find therein ... the perfect standard of the Christian Life." Imparted by the One True Teacher, the Sermon on the Mount explains the divine principles of justice guiding us to the narrow path that leads to communion with the Saints.

If you have not joined us for Bible Study before, or if it has been a long time since you have attended, there is no better time to get back in the swing of things than at the start of a new study, so please consider joining us.  Fellowship starts at 7:45, with plenty of coffee, bagels, and donuts, and we will wrap up at 9:15.

See you Saturday!!

Mark your calendars now!  We will be returning to Luther Glen, Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15.

Program and topic will be announced later, but for those of you who missed out this year because of previous engagements, we wanted to announce the date early.

We already have men who are so excited about going they are asking how to sign up - so look for a special email with the link to the online registration form to be coming out soon!

Remember - we are limited to 35, so first ones registered and paid are in!

Special thanks to Dave West, Kent Simmons, Joe Duprey, Cecil McCormick, Mark Ledbetter, Jeff Radke and Brian Ilten for giving of their time to help out up at Luther Glen.

Dave and Kent took care of tearing down a wall and rewiring some of the Kitchen electrical to make room for their new double wide freezer, while Joe, Cecil, Mark, Jeff and Brian worked on shoring up the back balcony that has been shut down for the last 3 years. While the group got a slow start - primarily because of not knowing the situations to their fullest extent - once everyone got going, work progressed steadily.  A lot was learned for future work trips as well.

You can check out photos from the work day by click HERE!
It was hot, but the time spent was well worth it, for Luther Glen as well as for those who worked. As mentioned we will be working on finding another day in the future to head back up - there is still much to be done, including shoring up the front balcony. Be looking in future issues of FORGED as well as weekly updates for more details.

"The gospel cannot be truly preached without offense and tumult."

                                                                                     
             -ML