First Baptist Church & Friends,

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In New England we’re enjoying more comfy temperatures with vibrant skies, colorful foliage, cool evenings and bright moons. You and I can steal away in mind and body for mini retreats just by taking a walk, drive, or gazing out of home or office windows. We have safe spaces of retreat that help turn down the volume of voices and issues assaulting our minds; that help us pause from focusing on the disharmony around us. Many of us have not been robbed of the natural, God-given right of personal and social security as others have. (I pray God’s healing upon you if you have tasted such trauma in your life.)

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Hate, rage, chaos, and disunity overwhelm society. It invades Christ’s Church. So many innocents…children, families, communities never developed their innate sense of dignity, nor security as God intends all human beings to and yes, God indeed sent His Son, Jesus Christ to us so that “where sin abounds, grace would abound even more.” (Rom. 5:15, 20)

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But the sad truth written by the Apostle John rings horribly true: “And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.” (John 3:19)

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BUT… we will not lose heart, will we?  Of course not! For we stand on God’s promises. Therefore, no matter how fiery trials become we keep praying confidently because God is on our side and we rest in hope because we know that Christ has already won!

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May God’s peace reign in your life.
Pastor Catherine

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‘Through Fiery Trials With God’

 

What shall I learn from God

  through fiery trials today,

As side by side He walks with me

  along life's rugged way?

He never fails—not even

  in the darkest hour.

I know my Lord is nigh—

  I feel His power.

 

Today I thank Him

  for His love and grace.

In perfect peace, the future

  I can face.

He knows of each new need

  before "The Day"

And lovingly my Saviour

  plans my earthly way.

 

As day by day I feed

  upon God's word,

I learn my step is "ordered

  of the Lord".

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So also every "stop" is just

  another step to test,

And prove to me one fact—

  God's way is always best.

 

I only want whatever

  God has planned.

So all is well, He holds me

  in His hand.

So I can trust Him now

  to lead aright,

As I walk on with Him

  through faith—not sight.

 

Then through this fiery trial

  What does my Saviour say?

Perhaps just this, be still

  my child, lean hard and pray.

Today I learned anew to answer:

  "Lord Thy way is best"

Now help me to be still—

  Lean hard—and pray and rest.

  —Author unknown