I’ve told you that I am a music minister, so I regularly lead sung prayer, but it became such a regular thing for me, that I was on auto-pilot.  This was a slow realization that crept up on me and shortly after this realization, Ps. 63 came up scriptures for Sunday.

As I first read the Psalm to re familiarize myself with the text and the melody, I recognized what I had been feeling.  I understood that I was in a sort of spiritual desert, going through the motions of prayer.  I felt empty, lifeless and without the nourishment that comes only from God.

It is a great comfort to know that even in a time of spiritual dryness, the Lord is there.  He will not turn from us, and all we have to do is turn back and “knock” for the door to open and we will then be able to once again rejoice in the shadow of his wings.

More on that journey to a state of rejoicing to follow.

Cecilia Carroll
Advent Square Director
Humble Servant and Handmaid of the Lord

For many when we grieve Ps. 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd” is a source of comfort.  When we feel alone, we might say: “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me.” Psalm 22.  In times of uncertainty, Ps. 16 “Lord show me the path for my life.”  In times of joy and thanksgiving we might proclaim “Let all praise the name of the Lord,” Ps. 148. One of my favorites is Ps. 63 “My Soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”   It is a long story of how this became my favorite Psalm, and this week I hope to share some of that story with you, but for now a little background and a question: 

It is believed that David wrote Psalm 63 during a time of exile.  He had lost the throne of Israel and was feeling spiritually separated from God, wandering in the Judean wilderness.  David recognizes that in order to have fulfillment he must reconcile with God.  In Ps. 63, he expresses his, and by extension our, desire to seek after God; to have a deep and personal relationship with our creator.  There is no greater, thirst, hunger, or longing that we can experience then when we are feeling separated from God.  

When you are experiencing a thirst that a simple glass of water will not satisfy, where do you go?  

Cecilia Carroll Advent Square Director Humble Servant and Handmaid of the Lord

In a world full of challenges and uncertainties, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, extending help and love to those in need. Galatians 6:2 encourages us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This verse reminds us that our mission is to support and uplift one another, reflecting God’s compassion and mercy through our actions. By reaching out to help those around us, we embody the love of Christ and make His presence known in tangible ways.

Sometimes, offering help requires us to be understanding and flexible, recognizing that only God truly knows the depths of each person’s heart and circumstances. It’s easy to make quick judgments, but God calls us to a higher standard of empathy and grace. When we open our hearts to listen and serve without judgment, we create a space for God’s love to work powerfully through us. Remember, every act of kindness, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on someone’s life, planting seeds of hope and faith.

Today, let’s commit to being a source of help and encouragement to those around us. Look for opportunities to lend a hand, share a kind word, or simply be present with someone who needs support. Trust that God will guide your efforts and use your willingness to serve in remarkable ways. By being flexible and understanding, we allow God to work through us, bringing His love and light to a world in need. Embrace this calling with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that every act of service brings glory to God and reflects His heart for humanity.

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Principal

Partnering Together,
Shahna Clark
EMS Principal

Fear comes from Satan and is the weapon used by the enemy before God makes a significant breakthrough in our lives. You see, any amazing thing God wants to build in our lives lies on the other side of fear. It took faith for Joshua to cross the Jordan River into the promised land, Noah to build the ark, Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh, and Peter to step out of the boat. We all struggle with fear, but Charles Spurgeon reminds us that we should kiss the wave that pushes us against the rock of Christ and allow fear to come our way.

The good news is that we have no reason to fear;

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

 “The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

What I want to remind you of is to see your fears as an opportunity to rely more on God’s love and grace. Fill your brain with hope-filled positive knowledge from scripture and memorize it so you are ready when it comes again. Rely on Christ’s strength through prayer, which brings us his comfort and peace. Gather with other Christians to remind yourself that you are not alone and that you can overcome your fear with faith, God’s power, and the support of friends.

You can rest in knowing these truths;

1. God cares about your finances, brokenness, and problems more than you do.

2. His power is displayed perfectly in our weakness.

3. You have his power and presence. Do not be afraid.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” – 2 Peter 3:10

Peter goes on to say that because everything will be destroyed, we should live holy lives and be on guard so that he can find us living peaceful and blameless lives. So, why is Jesus taking so long to return? Peter reminds us that God is not slow to fulfill his promises, but rather patiently waits for sinners to repent, wishing that no one perishes.

A lot of times as Christians we believe that our first priority is our own personal holiness. That’s our first mistake, our mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love what the Oklahoma Sooner head softball coach said in an interview “The Lord woke me up and was like, You’re doing this all wrong. You are not here to win games. You’re here to open the door, here to win souls.”

I remember when someone approached me and told me that my job was to bring all of the young people to this church. I laughed and thought, no, that is our job! You see, the early church was not perfect, but one thing they did well was that they were all contributors rather than consumers. Every single person was committed to serving the church, developing new relationships on the outside, maintaining a good reputation, and then sharing the gospel, converting more and more people. Their life was only worth saving souls for Christ, everything else came second.

The key point to spreading the gospel is to build new relationships, go out and make new friends who are non-believers, avoid staying in a church bubble, and be comfortable being uncomfortable. Church, you see, is more than just sitting in a pew; it is bringing God’s love, grace, and righteousness into your workplace, family, and relationships. Being a hard worker, maintaining high morals, and having a good reputation. Church and worship begin when we leave the pews and become a worthy example to others. Believe me, people notice this about you.

In my own life, I’ve seen countless lives changed simply by being a great friend and loving them where they are while sharing Jesus with them in life’s toughest moments. You see, we often believe that we don’t know enough about God’s Bible to share our thoughts about him with others, which is why we rely on his Spirit and power to give us the words. You rarely argue with people who have had a change of heart, but showing them love and grace changes everything and makes them more willing to embrace the gospel.