The book of Genesis (chapters 1 and 2) opens with these two names for the God whom we worship. This is what Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. ” Elohim, in Hebrew, is a generic term for God and is referred to over 2000 times in the Bible. It refers to God as the creator of all things and sovereign over all the earth. This is more of a title than a formal name for God. In Genesis 2, there is a nice shift in the way the author of Genesis addresses God. This is the account of the
heavens and the earth when they were created—when the Lord God (Yahweh Elohim) made the earth and heavens. (Genesis 2:4). This is not a title for God, instead He is a God who has established a covenantal relationship with us. The God of Genesis 1 seems distant and impersonal while Yahweh Elohim is intimate, pro-active, and initiates a direct relationship with humanity.

Adonai is the plural form of the word Adon (lord) with a plural suffix ai, meaning my lords or my Lord. This usually refers to a master-servant relationship. This emphasizes God’ s sovereignty and personal relationship as master over His people. It is also an alternate term that is used for YHWH, which is too sacred to pronounce.

YHWH is the name that God refers to Himself when He speaks to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3. It simply means “I Am that I Am” . The name is linked to the verb “to be ” (in French, Etre) or “to become ” (Hebrew: hayah), indicating eternal existence. In another sense, it means I was (past tense), I am (present tense), and I will be (future tense). This is the holiest of names in Judaism, and even today, this name is never uttered in worship. In religious practice, instead of pronouncing the name, Jewish people use “HaShem ” in conversation and “Adonai” in prayer.

Just wanted to mention 2 other names, one that is a favorite of mine and another that is relevant as we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 10. The name Jehovah Jireh, which was popularized by the chorus with that same name, is the first of the two names. The context for this name comes from the text when Abraham takes Isaac for sacrifice in Genesis 22. Even though this is a very painful text to read and ponder, it brings to the fore the confidence and trust of Abraham in God to provide. Isaac and Abraham leave their servants at the foot of the mountain and are hiking the trails to make the sacrifice. Isaac turns to his father and asks “Here is the fire and the wood,” … “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 “God will provide (Jehovah Jireh) for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son, ” Abraham replied. The two of them continued together. (Genesis 22:7b-8). God will provide or will see to it that our needs are met is what Jehovah Jireh means. Sumi and I still remember our seminary days and the way God provided for our needs in the most surprising and unconventional ways. The name Jehovah Jireh was not words
just written in the pages of scripture, but one that came alive every day of our lives.

Here is the last one of those names – El Shaddai. El is the shortened version of the word Elohim, and Shaddai is the root word for mountains, connoting power and strength. The context is Genesis 17, [W]hen Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the Sovereign God (El Shaddai). Walk before me and be blameless. Then I will confirm my covenant between you and me, and I will give you a multitude of descendants. ” El Shaddai is God who is awesome and beyond our human understanding.

Here is what one blogger writes about the name El Shaddai. “A (third) concept brings a different connotation. The Hebrew word shad means breast. The idea is that God is the one who nourishes, comforts and gives strength and sustenance to his people. He meets their needs just as a nursing mother meets the needs of her child. Think of the words bountiful and sufficient when you think of El Shaddai. ” 1 In a world that is replete or abounding with the patriarchal or male-oriented imagery for God, El Shaddai comes as a welcome relief. If you search the scriptures the metaphor of God as a mother figure is used in different places from the prophet Isaiah to Jesus. In Luke’s Gospel account, Jesus refers to himself in feminine language: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings ” (Luke 13:34-35). Here is my modest appeal: think and ponder the metaphor of a mothering God or El Shaddai when you celebrate Mother’s Day this year.

Committing your families to the “nurturing” care of God

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2)

I don’t know about you, but I am thoroughly enjoying this Lenten sermon series on the theme of water. The work that I put into developing every Sunday sermon has been quite a bit, but it has been a rewarding experience. What surprised me as I planned and prepared this series are the number of references to water that is found in the Scripture beginning from Genesis to Revelation. God hovering over the watery, formless body of the earth to creating something beautiful where human life can flourish is the beginning of our journey into thinking about water. God bringing new life out of the watery abyss is a powerful reminder of His desire to be in relationship with humans.

The prophet Ezekiel in chapter 47 continues this theme of water flowing from the throne of God and into the streets and communities where the people of God dwell. It is no surprise that Jesus picks on the theme of offering the invitation to all who will come to him and receive this gift of water. In Revelation 22, John, the Apostle tells of the river that will flow from the throne of God, which will not miss to bear fruit, and which will be for the healing of the nations.

The words of Jesus in John’s gospel resounds in my ears as I think about water. Jesus in the middle of the Temple on the last day of the Festival of Weeks or Booths (Sukkot) cries out to all, ‘ out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ Jesus is reminding us that we are to be conduits and not reservoirs of God’s presence, love, care, and blessings in the world. Here is a simple definition of what conduit means. A conduit is a pipe, tube, or natural channel used to protect and convey fluids, cables, or wires. It also refers metaphorically to a person, or medium that acts as an intermediary for transmitting information or something to someone else. Reservoirs, on the other hand, are often a place where water is stored for future use. If unused can become stagnant and stale. The imagery of flowing waters is rich, dynamic, and inviting. Our task as a church and believers of this Living God is to become conduits of God’s blessings in the world.

When God calls Abram in chapter 12 of Genesis, He makes a covenant with Abram with these 3 promises – land, offspring, and being a conduit. Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

The theme of “flowing waters” and being a “conduit” is just not a Lenten theme but something we need to embrace and desire as we journey thru life in this world. The Serendipity Bible that I read offers these suggestions when we contemplate over the idea of “flowing waters. It mentions, “walk beside a flowing river or turn on the faucet for 10 second, touch the water, listen to the sound of running water or may be drink a glass of water slowly and be aware of the life-giving properties of water as you swallow it.” The chances and opportunities to think about water are endless, so keep doing it. Finally imagine with me this water flowing from the throne of God into your home, your places of work and leisure. May God richly bless you as you journey beyond Lent withthis theme of water on your mind.

Be the conduit,

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my hope is from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, My refuge; I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62: 5-6)

The month of March marks spring in the Northern hemisphere, but I am unable to envision it as I am writing this note to the congregation. This past Sunday, the Northeast was pummeled by the Nor’easter, which dumped more than a foot of snow in many parts of New Jersey. I can hear the noise of my neighbor’s snow blower as they clear the driveway.

The weather outside is cloudy and cold. The temperature, the weather channel says, will rise, and we will see the snow slowly melt, giving signs of Spring weather in the air. But for now, if someone even mentions the word Spring, it sounds strange to our ears. Before the unbelievable is experienced, you and I need to sit out this time and wait for the arrival of Spring. Lent for me is sometimes sitting it out before we experience the joy of Easter. Lent is that purposeful and active 40-day waiting in preparation for Easter. Waiting is one of life’s best teachers, says an author, for in it we learn the virtue of… well, waiting—waiting while God works in us and for us. It’s in waiting that we develop endurance, the ability to trust God’s love and goodness, even when things aren’t going our way (Psalm 70:5). Also, in this waiting, you are not alone. There is a God who waits with you.

Some give up something as a way of waiting, and others take up something to prepare. Rather than passive inaction, this is a conscious decision to allow God to work in us, often through spiritual disciplines. There will be plenty of opportunities to embrace spiritual disciplines during this season of Lent. If you are someone who reads a devotional in the morning, look for a Lent devotional and start reading. It is not too late to start something; latecomers are always welcome. Hear this encouraging word from the devotional that I am reading. “What should you do now that you are here? Set aside some time for understanding and prayer. Catch up on the readings, worship Jesus, and ask him to lead you in this journey. Decide on something that you will give up and something that you will take up in order to draw near to God. Or perhaps God is not leading you to give anything up, but simply to focus your attention on him.”

Volunteering during Lent is also another opportunity to serve in the cause of God’s kingdom. Some options include serving at local soup kitchens, food pantries, or tutoring students. You can also participate in community cleanups, visit the homebound, or donate items like food or clothing. Consistency is the key while volunteering. Choose to volunteer weekly rather than just once to make it a true discipline. If you are interested in volunteering, especially tutoring children in disadvantaged neighborhoods, please let me know, and I can connect you with organizations that are looking for volunteers.

The Lenten Bible studies that meet every Friday can be another opportunity to do something as you wait. This year, the study by Rachel Billups on the Unlikely Lent will usher us to explore the unlikely characters on the way to the Cross. The author starts with Mary of Bethany (John’s gospel gives her the name, while the synoptics just mention her as a woman or even a sinful woman), who does the most unlikely giving and sacrifice. You will meet several characters on this Lenten journey, and each one of them gives us a clue of how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The study is not so much to gain more knowledge, but to identify and resonate with them and be challenged to follow Jesus on the way to the Cross. Come, join us!

If someone had told the disciples (even though Jesus mentions his suffering and the cross several times) that an empty tomb and a Risen Christ were the end of their Lenten journey, they would have laughed at the possibility of it. I believe the act of waiting can help us embrace the impossibility that God has in store for us. The purposeful, active waiting and journeying with Jesus can help us see the joy of Easter. Easter becomes a sweet celebration only when we wait in anticipation to what God can do. I pray that you will experience the Lord’s hand upon your life as you wait during these 40 days in Lent.

Gratefully Yours,

As I am writing this newsletter the whole of Northeast is on a winter freeze alert with temperatures in the low single digits. The snow laden trees are beautiful to look at but the weather is so frightful. My long walks with my pet in the morning do not happen because of this frigid weather. I wonder how long this will continue before we can go out and enjoy the good weather. I don’t mind the cold, but the subzero temperatures make my heart sink.

My heart goes out to the essential workers such as nurses, doctors, maintenance crew who clear the snow from the roads and driveways and store clerks who do the shelving of food for us in the grocery stores. Even more, I wonder about the homeless, the seniors, and the poor who cannot afford to pay for the heat in their homes. On that same note, I am grateful for organizations who help pay for these expenses.

February weather is bound to see some rapid fluctuations, but this month is also the beginning of Lent. Lent simply means the lengthening of days. Lent is something that folks who live in the Northern Hemisphere experience. While night gets shorter the days begin to get longer. For the farmer who relies on longer days, Lent is a very hopeful season. In a figurative sense, folks who are experiencing the cold of winter will now be ushered into the season of light and Spring. We who have cried with the psalmist, “How long, O Lord”, can now see the light of day. Lent reminds us that God has come to suffer alongside with us in our moments of pain only to help us see the light of day.

Ash Wednesday this year will start on February 18. Do you wonder what you can do for Lent this year? The early church (the Roman church) took the three things (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) that Jesus mentions in Matthew 6 and made that the call of the church during the season of Lent. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:6). To the religious elite of Jesus’s time, He reminds them to let their acts of prayer be done in secret. In terms of fasting, hear what Jesus says, But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret.

In terms of fasting, hear what Jesus says, But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret. Again, the emphasis is on the inward and only for the Father in heaven to see. Finally, about giving, this is what Jesus had to say, but when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Our reason for giving must be known only to God.

For Lent 2026, focus on the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to draw closer to God. Meaningful actions may include daily scripture reading, volunteering, limiting social media, or donating to charity. Of all the meaningful actions that are suggested, limiting social media will be one of the hardest to do not only for our children more so for us as adults.

Here is my final thought, do all these disciplines not because it is required of us but as a grateful response to what God has already done and to build a deeper and stronger relationship with the One who has come to lay down His life so that we can experience life and life in its abundance.. I might be repeating this again, but repetition was so central to the Jewish faith and even for us who stand in the long line and tradition of Judaism. It is my prayer that you will sacrifice “something”, at least in “small portions” so that you will experience Lent in its fullness.

Blessings on your Lenten journey,

When November comes around, stewardship is the topic that is often spoken of in many churches. Churches will have their pledge campaign for the year 2026 in full swing during this month. It is said that there is a drop in attendance in most churches since money is the main topic of discussion from the pulpit. I have often heard many say that the reason they don’t go to church is because they always and often ask for money. There is no reason to see stewardship in this manner.

From the beginning of creation, stewardship is a central theme in scripture. In Genesis chapter 1 after the creation of human beings, these are the words of God, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28). The words “subdue and rule” in this verse has long been debated within theological circles about our relationship to God’s beautiful creation. Our job as stewards is to care for creation instead of exploiting them. This is the first thing that I want to leave with you, as stewards, we are not the owners, God is. The Psalmist says it even better, “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1). It serves as a gentle reminder for believers to live with humility, gratitude, and responsibility for the world God created.

Stewardship is not only about money (but it is also about our wealth especially money). I am fond of the Wesleyan principle towards stewardship – EARN all you can, SAVE all you can and GIVE all you can. Stewardship was a consistent theme in John Wesley’s preaching and revival. I think he got this from Jesus himself who said a lot about money than anything else. For Wesley, stewardship was central to Christian discipleship. For him, the change of heart meant a change in the way we use our wallet or purse. To love God and to love our neighbor is so central to all of scripture and giving or stewardship of money is an expression of that love.

While reading through the epistles one morning as part of my daily devotions, I noticed the words of Peter to the church scattered in Asia, especially on the theme of stewardship. This is what he says: Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1Peter 4:10-12). Stewardship extends beyond taking care of God’s good earth and even our responsibilities with money. It has to do with sharing of our God given gifts of resources for the care of our neighbor. Simply said that we are recipients of God’s grace and the purpose is to extend that same grace to others.

As you journey through the month of November, think about the stewardship not so much of the resources but of your words as a means of God’s grace. Make it a point to speak words that will build others. Words spoken with great care can serve to build one’s identity. Hear the words of the Savior: You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. They are not commands but a gentle reminder of who we really are. Finally, remember, mean and derogatory words have no place in the kingdom.

Gratefully yours,

October is known for a few things, here are some to think about: the transition from the summer heat to the crisp and cooler air of Fall, the change of color on the trees, the pumpkin in the front porches of many homes, the pumpkin spice lattes at your local coffee store and the life size figures of skeletons and ghosts on the front lawns of homes in preparation to celebrate Halloween (All Hallows Eve). To sum it up, October is known for change.

Keeping with this theme of change, the Apostle Paul urges us not to just be changed but to be transformed. In Romans 12:1-2, he writes, I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be CONFORMED to this age, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Two words stand out for me as I read this passage, and I have uppercased them for our reflection as we begin October.

This is how Oxford English dictionary defines conform: (of a person) behave according to socially
acceptable conventions or standards; to be similar in form or type. Being conformed is not necessarily a
bad thing because we need it especially when following safety laws. Excessive conforming to the practices
without critical thinking can suppress individuality, lead to groupthink and poor decision-making. To be
conformed to the standards is the easy way out of living our lives and to stand out is often difficult. When we or our children “stand out” in the crowd, we are often ridiculed, called by all sorts of names and so to avoid embarrassment we quickly conform to the standards and conventions. The Apostle will say to us that conforming is not the way of the Kingdom of God.

The word transformed, on the other hand, has its roots in the word metamorphosis. The
transformation of a caterpillar into the butterfly is the type of transformation that the Apostle is talking
about. The same word is used in Greek when Jesus transfigures before his disciples on the mountain top –
his whole form changed. A career change, giving up a habit, moving to another country and overcoming
deep seated fears are some examples of transformations that can occur in our life but the Apostle is
calling us for a deep-seated change in the way we live our Christian life.

And so, the Apostle Paul urges the church in Rome not to conform to the patterns of the world around
them but to be transformed in their mind. As one scholar points out that the transformation of the mind
must be the starting point since it affects all areas of our lives. The change in brain activity can lead to
change in every area of our lives. In his letter to the church in Philippi, he will encourage the believers to
have the “same mind” that was in Christ Jesus. Transformation, for the Apostle, must be a mind activity, which then leads to a change in our ethical behavior.

This is what I want to offer you as you start a new month, do not let the transformation of your mind
or non-conformation to the ways of the world be a REQUIREMENT as if it is needed to be accepted by
God instead may it be a RESPONSE to what God has already accomplished for us in Christ Jesus. Go back
to the verse and look at what the Apostle says, on the basis of God’s mercy, offer your lives as a living
sacrifice and be transformed. God has acted first and so in gratitude offer your lives as a living sacrifice.
God in Christ has accepted you unconditionally and invites you to live a worshipful life that glorifies God
in all that you do. Live joyfully, live gratefully, and live with humility seeking God’s help daily that honors
Him. May you be encouraged to embrace the transformation that God offers as you
journey through the month of October.

In HIS care,

Summer is over and we stand at the threshold of another new school year for the children, a new semester for the young adults entering college or returning students and a new way of living and managing schedules for all of us. The scripture is filled with new beginnings and God’s role in it. I want to suggest a few scripture portions that will encourage us in our walk beginning this September. Let not the familiarity of these verses distract you. It is worth repeating, remembering, and “hiding it in our hearts.”

My favorite is from Psalm 121:3-4

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Every pilgrim who begins their journey will be reminded by the priest of God’s unfailing presence in their travel. Loose stones along the path are inevitable but God will hold them off from falling and hurting. This picture of God guarding the pilgrim is both literal and metaphorical and may it be so for us as well.

Here is another one, Lamentations 3: 22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The prophet having painted a picture of gloom and destruction for the first two chapters, suddenly paints a picture of hope and comfort. This is often how God works in our lives. When we see only loss and destruction, God sees hope amid the rubble. This was the promise that I received as I stood in chapel at the beginning on my graduate studies. The verse of the famous hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, provided me the assurance of God’s presence – All that I have needed His hand has provided…

Jacob is one of my favorite characters in scripture. The night before he is to meet with his brother Esau, Jacob wrestles with God. In the end he wants to know the name of that wrestler. Instead, the wrestler gives him a new name.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Exodus 32:28

The passage is a simple reminder that our God is a God of second chances. When all is lost, God comes thru for us. God is all for new beginnings and second chances and may you bask in that thought as you enter another new year.

The Apostle Paul at the end of his journey and while in prison exhorts his readers to not be anxious when he has every reason to be anxious.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

Our lives are filled with worries and anxious thoughts, and some are genuine reasons for worry. The promise of scripture is God’s abiding peace in the midst of it. I pray that you will add your favorite verse to this list and commit them to memory. May they become your companion on this journey in this new year. Blessings on your family as you journey thru the month of September and beyond.

In His Care,

My apologies for continuing to speak and write about the life of Nehemiah. Some people make a “lasting impression”on our lives and that’s who Nehemiah has been for me. Talking to a friend yesterday I mentioned to him about reading Nehemiah for the retreat quiz and he had a “boat load” to say about him. This friend was simply fascinated by the management skills of Nehemiah who exemplified some of the finest qualities of a modern-day CEO. Nehemiah, he said, knew how to divide a huge building project into manageable units. My friend went on and on with his description of Nehemiah. There was no end to our conversation about the life and witness of Nehemiah.

There is something that I said during the first of the month worship on July 1st about Nehemiah as someone who was not a priest or Levite, but someone who held a secular job and used his position and influence, as the cup bearer for the king, for kingdom’s purposes. He took some time to pray; scholars say about 4 months before he approached the king with the plan. This thought has been on my mind ever since I discovered it while researching for the sermon. How can we use our positions, situations, and jobs for the purpose of God’s kingdom? I am not talking about going from desk to desk to speak to people about God. Are there ways we can witness and sometimes use our skills for God’s kingdom?

The Bible is replete with examples of people who stood in the gap for the cause of the kingdom. Queen Esther is another fine example of an ordinary teenager who rose to the position of a queen and helped with thwarting the evil schemes of Haman. When you come to the New Testament, Lydia, the seller of purple in Philippi, who used her business and gifts to extend God’s kingdom. She probably opened her home for the church to have their weekly meetings. She must have extended her hospitality to the neighbors in her community to become a part of the fellowship. I don’t think this model has stopped with the New Testament, instead, it has shown up in different places. This is also the idea for the missional church model. In the missional model, the places where we live, work, and leisure become a place to bear witness to God. We don’t necessarily bring our neighbors to church but take God to the places where we spend the entire week.

Except for me, many of you hold secular jobs. Some of you leave home early to get to trains and buses to get to work while others with your coffee in hand work from home. The work you do is God’s gift to you and the Apostle Paul mentions that we must do everything “as unto the Lord.” There will be times when you will be strategically placed and be given the opportunity to use your position to influence for the kingdom’s cause. When that happens do not shy away instead pray that God will use you for His name’s sake.

In the meantime, the first thing is to recognize your work as God’s purpose on the earth. Many of us live compartmentalized lives as if what we do at work as secular and what we do in church as sacred instead see your work as God’s purpose on the earth. The work that you do diligently and sincerely can bear witness to the God whom you worship. There is a lot we can say but let me stop here and leave you to figure out ways that you can be a part of God’s kingdom.

It is my prayer that as you journey through the month of July that you will pray about it and have God show you opportunities to bear witness to His name. A time will come when the positions you hold will be called to be used for God’s kingdoms purposes.

Be the witness

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 14 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Lament Psalms is the largest category or groupings within the 150 Psalms found in the Old Testament. Scholars consider 65 of them to be Psalms of Lament, which is almost 45 percent of the complete collection of Psalms. Lament can be both individuals well as communal. Lament is not necessarily moaning or grumbling before God even though it sounds that way. In fact, one can notice a pattern in these lament Psalms. Here are the 4 to 5 stages that are expressed in a Psalm of Lament:

• In the first few lines, the Psalmist will bring TO ATTENTION to God about the situation that he/she is experiencing.

• There will be a FORMAL COMPLAINT by the Psalmist to God about the situation. This is not due to lack of faith, in fact, it is faith at its best.

• In the third stage, the Psalmist will make a PLEA FOR HELP and that to God

• What follows this stage is unique. The Psalmist will express some sort of CONFIDENCE in God and that God will come to his rescue when everything else has failed. This confidence happens, as some scholars say, due to lapse of time. In fact, for me, this is the stage that fascinates me every time I read a lament Psalm

• Finally, the Psalmist will make a VOW to God and that he will talk about this in the congregation of the faithful. This is not the place where the psalmist is bargaining with God instead, he is confident that God will come through for him.

In moments of loss or grief of any kind whether it is a loss of job or relationships or life, the lament psalms prove to be a great resource to speak to God. I think with the recent disruption in the life of the grieving family and the church community, we need to engage the lament psalms to find hope.

Lament psalms are an invitation to grieve well for the loss that we are experiencing. Grieving, in my view, for any loss is God’s greatest gift to His people. Grieving is not a sign of hopelessness but a confidence and trust in the God who hears us and delivers us. If anyone says that grieving is antithetical to the Christian faith, it is important on our part to not to engage in such conversations.

Our world was turned upside down with the prolonged hospitalization of our loved one. We experienced glimpses of hope and that kept us going. We prayed earnestly like the Psalmist. We complained, we pleaded for help and in the end, God moved us to a place where we can rest in God’s goodness. We may not have all the answers to the questions but in due time, God will bring us to that place of rest and comfort.

This is what we can do during times like this. Pray for the family that is grieving. As you have done before, continue even now to walk alongside with this family. Extend your ministry of presence and be with them in their grieving process. For your part, grieve well over the loss that you are feeling. Ignoring such feelings can be lead us to grave consequences. Remember, grieving is God’s gift to us.

There is good news in scripture for all of us who are grieving. This good news came to us in Emmanuel – God with us. We do not worship a God who is far removed from us but One who ‘became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.’ In short, we have among us a God who grieves with us in our pain. This good news extends even further than His promised presence with us. He will not let us stay in our state of grief instead will move us to a place where we can experience His comfort and care.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Lent has come and gone, and we had a great time reading the Word of God together (during Lenten meditations); however, the discipline to read and study God’s word is never seasonal. If we are to grow as a church in worship, fellowship, and outreach, we must take the reading and studying God’s word seriously. This is what the scripture says about the early church in Acts 2: 42-43, “they DEVOTED themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”

We have been faithful in our task of devoting ourselves in prayer during the weekdays. I am grateful for the time you give to pray for the families, the ministries of the church and the communities that we are a part of. Prayer is integral to the life of the church but there is more to the overall health of the church. Acts of the Apostles mentions that the early church devoted themselves to “apostles’ teaching,” which directed studying and dwelling deeply on the word of God.

“The word devoted in Greek is “Proskartereō, meaning “to remain strong, to endure,” with an extra emphasis on the time element involved.” It is doing that one task over a period. It is about consistency and perseverance. This Greek word can be divided into 2 parts, Kartereo is being steadfast, and by adding Pros, it provides the time element. “It describes more than just a momentary push in a crisis; it portrays the kind of strength that is ready for action over the long haul.” And that’s what the early church did, and that’s exactly what the church today must do if we are to become a living witness in the world.

There is a very interesting Bible study series developed and facilitated by the Rev. Dr. David Jeremiah with this title, Overcomer. This study is based on Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. In chapter 6, the apostle talks about putting on the armor of God. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

In this Overcomer study guide, David Jeremiah uses Paul’s description of spiritual armor as an outline for exploring the Christian’s call to be an overcomer. This is not a technical description of Roman armor, but an applicational study of what it means to stand firm and overcome sin, the world, and the evil one. When we “put on” Christ, we are putting on all the spiritual armor we need not only to stand, but to overcome!

We can meet every Wednesday or Thursday during the week via zoom or in person and engage in a deep study of this theme. I believe God will do greater things as we devote ourselves to drinking deep from the Word of God. Let’s not be seasonal in our study of the Word but be consistent and persistent. Consider this as an invitation to Feasting on the Word.

In Christ,