Blessings to you, loved ones.  As I write this, there’s not a cloud in the sky…wait…there’s one little cloud moving into view from my spot under the eves on the patio enjoying the weather. I know there is not one of us who isn’t facing some kind of trial right now.  Delight in the little blessings of each day.  The beauty of God’s creation is actually a pretty big one.  I also find joy in all of you.  You are a blessing to me.

A couple of weeks ago we talked about one of those verses that even though we know to be true, can sometimes feel like an assault when other people use it on us in times of trouble.  This Sunday, I’m going to bring up another one.  We often hear this one incompletely quoted even by people outside of the church.  They’ll say something like, “All things work together for good.”  The problem is, that’s not what the Bible says.  The full verse says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Note the qualifiers that proceed the part we like.  This is a true statement and I personally take great comfort in it, but to understand what is being said, we need some context.  Join us as we study together from Romans 8:28-39.

Remember those who need our prayers.  Pris and Kimi are improving, if more slowly than we hoped.  Cathy will share more about her situation on Sunday.  She asked that we pray for Steven, an acquaintance in the hospital with complications from diabetes.  Pray for my family as well.  Pray for my father’s health.

See you Sunday.

Love y’all!

Larry