Blessed Sunday to you all!

Bruce returned to Sunday School and worship today. It felt so good to sing standing next to him once again. It is his first trip back to church since the surgery. The consistency of the temperature within the building especially the sanctuary gave him the added stamina to sing our praise and worship songs during the 11:00 worship. Everyone was commented on how great he looked (and I certainly had to agree!) and were so glad to see him return to worship. We give thanks for all of the prayers and support of our church family and extended family.

Prayer: “Our Lord, bless us and keep us, we plead to You.”

Psalm 31: 19 “Oh how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for them that fear You; which You have promised for them that trust in You.”

God’s keeping power for all of us is never failing. Our problem is that we do not always realize it and remember it. The question is not whether God can provide shelter from the storm, the question is of our failure to trust in the security of that shelter.

Do you remember the story from Matthew where Jesus told the Disciples to get into a boat and they set out across the water? Jesus went up to the mountains to pray and the storm hit. The storm battered the boat and the wind went against the disciples. The disciples see Jesus and Peter gets so excited that he sets out across the water. Peter is walking on the water keeping His eyes on Jesus. Then Peter remembers that he is on the water and begins to go under. Peter screams to Jesus in fear, “Lord, save me!” Jesus catches Peter and draws him out of the water and asks him, “Why is your faith so small and why did you doubt?”

Okay, Peter was doing great! He was going to meet Jesus and without fear struck out across the water “on foot.” But when he took his eyes off Jesus he began to fall and become fearful in the storm. Peter needed to remember Jesus’ promises of never failing no matter what the circumstance. Peter forgot that Jesus would always be there for him.

Of all of the disciples I think most of us are like Peter. We sometimes forget in times of adversity that God has never left us. We need to remember this phrase, “All is well.” We need to say it, practice it until we believe it and know it with every fiber of our being. We may lose sight of God sometimes, but he never loses sight of us and His love for us is never ending. “All is well…all is well…all is well.” Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Take joy in the journey. Wear a hat, drink plenty of water and comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all so very much, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.

FYI Travis is coaching 3rd grade peewee football for the Optimist Club. It is the same team that he played for when he was in elementary school. He spent today writing plays for these little gridiron warriors. Please keep him in your prayers. gc