This title came to mind from a prophet on Elijah Streams I listened to recently. God is doing a marvelous thing in our midst and I am overjoyed! We had an excellent Operation Christmas Child box packing party at our church last evening. Our youth group and the local football team, people from our congregation and the community, gathered. It was pizza for all and many hands making light work of the abundance that was provided. Our goal of 150 boxes rose to a total of 228. Praise God from whom all abundance of blessings comes! May the Lord use all these gifts to make room for the gospel around the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In other news, I was part of Leslie Leyland Fields’ four week Saturday morning writing seminar on zoom. She used her book, Your Story Matters, and taught us how to capture memories and write them down. Here’s a quote from the first chapter in this book:

“I’m going to guide you through this writing process chapter by chapter, but my words are only invitations to yours. In the end, your words in response to mine are what will matter most.” pg. 21

At the end of each chapter, Leslie has “Your Turn!“, where you can practice what you’re learning. She also includes examples from her other students to help you. Of course, the four weeks were not the full course; she did not cover the entire book. The Lord provided the funds for me to buy her eight-week course and all it includes for half price, $195.50, at the end of the seminar. I have paid for life-time access to the course, subscription to Mighty Networks, and support. One participant said she paid over $1,000.00 for a writing course that wasn’t anywhere near what this incorporates. As for the book, I recommend it to anyone who wants to get their life story down, even if you never publish your own book. It is extremely encouraging; Leslie has a lot of life behind her, raising six children on Kodiak Island in Alaska, and being part of a commercial fishing family. She has been an English teacher, taught many groups of people, and if you can find the free four week classes, which should be on YouTube, go for it! I agree with the saying: “Everyone has a story to tell, ” and when we do, it gives glory to God. Many tales from my growing-up years are being brought into focus by Leslie’s teachings.

I want to leave you with challenging Scriptures from K.P. (Metropolitan) Yohanan’s new booklet, Dependence Upon The Lord.

Thus says the Lord:

Jeremiah 17:5 “Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
⁶ For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Notice, verses 7-8 are from Psalm 1. In these challenging days, what or whom are you trusting? Take a moment to examine your heart and realign yourself with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Until we meet again, Shalom dear readers.