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Lent,, Day 12 - March 8

The Readings for Today: Psalm 8, 24, 29, 84; Jer. 1:1-10; 1 Cor 3:11-23; and Mark 3:31-4:9

Sunday in Lent is an opportunity to turn our attention back to God's majesty and grace. Each of the Psalms has its own majestic character. There's a beauty in living out of the greatness of God's character. Our problems are like dropping a teaspoon of water into an ocean of water. We need that perspective to avoid living out of fear and anxiety.
Today, our Pastor Tom spoke on "Heaven's Heroes" which was about Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7. I was so struck by way that we were reminded that following God is a matter of trusting in the character of God. Stephen's testimony is that he was faithful to stand in a place of servanthood -- first for the sake of widows, and secondly in front of those who eventually would kill him. Yet, God used him to plant a seed in that death - literally the words of Jesus came alive: "Except the grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it remains a single seed; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit."
That fruit was in the young man "Saul" who stood by agreeing with the judgment rendered towards Stephen.
Tom spoke powerfully about Stephen's forgiveness stated and given in the end towards those who were killing him, and how we need to speak forgiveness to get unstuck from the pain of the past. It's true, so true.
Anyway, very, very good message to ponder. If you're interested you can find it at the church's web site later in the mid-week.

A Prayer:
"Father, you are worthy of worship and the Kingdom you call us into is so totally different from the world that we live in. I pray that you would help me to follow you into the journey of your ways and that you would help me to stand in the truth with you as call me deeper and deeper into standing for you. Amen."

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