Burbany

Sunday, 12 July 2009 Greystones Presbyterian Church

Church was so good! Monty, the pastor, had a baptism at his other church so John, the intern, did the whole service. I love that he wore blue jeans, a t-shirt, a hoodie, and 2 earrings. Despite his shy nature, it is obvious that he loves Jesus and longs for others to know Him. I think someone said he became a Christian through a conversation over the internet. Anyway, he basically read his sermon which I was a little concerned about at first, but WOW!!! God really spoke to me through him and I can’t wait to go online and listen to it again. It was good to hear again, from a fresh perspective, what I already know to be true. He preached from 1 Peter 1-2:3 about being a new person in Christ.

He said several things that were noteworthy but here are three that have resonated with me since:

• In the midst of persecution, the early Christian church was known to out live, out love, and out laugh their neighbors. I don’t think that is the case these days. It seems that many believers often think it more spiritual to be solemn and sad when we are called to be joyful.
• Our faith becomes stronger and purer in the face of temptation and trials. No one was ever pampered into being strong in their faith.
• I am called to be a new person but at the same time, He is making me a new person. So often I live as though it is all up to me but it isn’t. It makes me think of The Good Confession by Andrew Peterson:

“All I know is that I was blind but now I see;

Though I kick and scream, love is leading me;

And every step of the way His grace is making me;

Every breath I breathe, He is saving me;

And I believe.

So when my body’s weak and the day is long,

When I feel my faith is all but gone,

I’ll remember when I sang this song that I believe:

I believe He is the Christ, Son of the Living God.”

He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. Thank God!