Greetings from Austin Street

Blessed Sunday to you all!  I worshiped at Rush Creek and at Advent Lutheran today.  Bruce and I were blessed with two visitors this afternoon; one from the Kairos Prison Ministry and Bruce’s former Bible Study Fellowship Leader.  Bruce continually amazes me when he converses with friends. He does not seem to be afraid and when he realizes he is speaking words that do not make sense he just communicates that he hears and understands correctly, but just cannot get the words to come out right. He is the one who appears to put others at ease. Sometimes he will look at me to continue or interpret what he has to say. I am amazed at his courage and give thanks for the miracles that continue each day. God is good and love wins.

“As the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.”

John 15:9

According to my meditation tonight the sacrifice made by Jesus was not just for the forgiveness of sins, but to open the way to the heart of God. This made a lot of sense to me as Jesus was God on foot. As each of us journeys through this life as believers we learn to trust God as our Savior. When we trust God we are the recipient of the perfect love of God. This is the perfect love that casts out fear. Each of us has been scared at times, but fear is the sin that eats away at our souls. The sin that died on the cross was fear. So when we experience fear remember that God is the perfectly loving Savior who will listen to our fears. When we surrender our fear to God then our hearts are open to receive the storehouse of God’s love. The more we hold the love that God gives in our heart, the less space there is for fear. We have been given the unfailing love of God in full measure. This morning at Advent we sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King. His love endures forever. Sing praise.” Stand fast in the unfailing love of God my friends sing praise and FEAR NOT!

Take joy in the journey remembering that hope does not disappoint. Wear comfortable shoes, give thanks with a heart filled with gratitude, let us cast our cares upon the LORD and get some sleep. God is up all night anyway so there is no need for all of us to be awake. Love you all, Bruce and Gaylene