Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Pastoral Letter, and St. Bartholomew (24 August) - 2026

 

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity.

Te Deum Laudamus.

We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.

The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;

The Father : of an infinite Majesty;

Thine honourable, true : and only Son;

Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.

 

Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death : thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants : whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.

 

O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.

Govern them : and lift them up for ever.

Day by day : we magnify thee;

And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

 

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire, or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 29.18-24

Psalter: Psalm 76, 77 | 71, 72

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 3.1-9

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 7.31-37

 

Homily

 

This was my letter to my congregation this past week: 

Yesterday I went to visit someone in the hospital. While I was there, I read Scripture, sang a hymn (as I am known to do), and prayed. The hymn I sang was How Firm a Foundation. The reason I like singing that hymn is because each verse is from Scripture, many of which are out of Isaiah, and made rhythmic so it can be sung. Here’s how it goes: 

1. “How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! What more can he say than to you he has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” - “…therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste’” (Isaiah 28:16) which makes one think of how this verse is quoted in 1 Peter 2:6, “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”” 

2. “Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed; for I am your God, and will still give you aid; I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.” - “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

3. “When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.” - “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;…” (Isaiah 43:2a). 

4. “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.” - “…when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” and “I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy” (Isaiah 43:2b and 1:25). 

5. “E'en down to old age all my people shall prove my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; and when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.” - “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:3-4). By the way, “hoary hairs” is older english for white or gray hairs. 

6. “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake.” - “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” and “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (Psalm 27:1-3 and 1 Peter 3:18). 

Putting that together was edifying and enjoyable! 

Pastor Mike

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

August 24

The Collect

O almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 18.15-18

Psalter: Psalm 91

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 4.9-15

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 22.24-30 

Homily

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - 2026 and Pastoral Letter

 

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119:161-176

xxi. Principes persecuti sunt.

PRINCES have persecuted me without a cause; * but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162 I am as glad of thy word, * as one that findeth great spoils.

163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them; * but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee; * because of thy righteous judgments.

165 Great is the peace that they have who love thy law; * and they have none occasion of stumbling.

166 Lord, I have looked for thy saving health, * and done after thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies, * and loved them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy commandments and testimonies; * for all my ways are before thee.

xxii. Appropinquet deprecatio.

LET my complaint come before thee, O Lord; * give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee; * deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall speak of thy praise, * when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word; * for all thy commandments are righteous.

173 Let thine hand help me; * for I have chosen thy commandments.

174 I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord; * and in thy law is my delight.

175 O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; * and thy judgments shall help me.

176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; * O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments..

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

 

The Collect.

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (1928 BCP). 

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us abundantly thy grace, that we, running to thy promises, may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (1549 BCP). 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 26:12-19

Psalter: Psalm 63, 64 | 54, 55

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 18:9-14 

Homily

 

From my letter to my congregation this week:

As I address Proverbs 30 this Sunday, there are two sections in that chapter that have much to say about contentment: 

First, there’s the prayer for ‘just give me enough…’: 

“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:7-9).

 Then there’s the warning about perpetual discontentment and perpetual dissatisfaction:

“The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough”” (Proverbs 30:15-16).

 Contentment is a big theme in Scripture, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism says some very pointed things about it as it explains the 10th Commandment regarding covetousness:

 Q. 80. What is required in the tenth commandment? A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his. 

Q. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. 

Many years ago, for reasons wrapped in darkness, doubt, and dreariness, I wrote a prayer imploring Good God to bless me with contentment, and to turn my heart toward contentment. I have prayed this most weeks at least once, and have done so for around 20 years. Even this morning as I walked around the church building, it was one of my prayers as I reflected on Proverbs 30. I give it to you:

 

“O Lord God - help!

• Help me to flourish and fill out in faith, hope and love, as well as all other Christian virtues - here.

• Help me to find satisfaction with where I am, with whom I am with, with what I am doing - here.

• Help me to love you – here; to find my utmost joy in you – here; to become unstoppably secure in you – here!

• Help me to be content – but not idle; to be content – but not lazy; to be content – but not resentful – here.

• Help me to have a deep certainty that you have given me the victory in Christ Jesus our Lord; and so to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in your work, knowing - believing - confident - certain - assured that in Christ Jesus my labor here is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:57-58). 

O Lord God; hallowed be your name (here)! O Lord God; your Kingdom come (here)! O Lord God; your will be done on earth (here) as it is in heaven. Amen.”

 

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

 

Pastor Mike

Tenth Sunday after Trinity - 2026

 

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119:145-160

xix. Clamavi in toto corde meo.

I CALL with my whole heart; * hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes.

146 Yea, even unto thee do I call; * help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 Early in the morning do I cry unto thee; * for in thy word is my trust.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches; * that I might be occupied in thy word.

149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy lovingkindness; * quicken me, according to thy judgments.

150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me, * and are far from thy law.

151 Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord; * for all thy commandments are true.

152 As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since, * that thou hast grounded them for ever.

xx. Vide humilitatem.

O CONSIDER mine adversity, and deliver me, * for I do not forget thy law.

154 Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me; * quicken me according to thy word.

155 Health is far from the ungodly; * for they regard not thy statutes.

156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord; * quicken me, as thou art wont.

157 Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; * yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158 It grieveth me when I see the transgressors; * because they keep not thy law.

159 Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments; * O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

160 Thy word is true from everlasting; * all the judgments of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 1:1-12

Psalter: Psalm 61, 62 | 48, 49

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 19:41-46

Homily

Ninth Sunday after Trinity and Ascension (6 August)- 2026

 

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119:129-144

xvii. Mirabilia.

THY testimonies are wonderful; * therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 When thy word goeth forth, * it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; * for my delight was in thy commandments.

132 O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, * as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133 Order my steps in thy word; * and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men; * and so shall I keep thy commandments.

135 Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, * and teach me thy statutes.

136 Mine eyes gush out with water, * because men keep not thy law.

xviii. Justus es, Domine.

RIGHTEOUS art thou, O Lord; * and true are thy judgments.

138 The testimonies that thou hast commanded * are exceeding righteous and true.

139 My zeal hath even consumed me; * because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost, * and thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and of no reputation; * yet do I not forget thy commandments.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, * and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me; * yet is my delight in thy commandments.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: * O grant me understanding, and I shall live.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 10:1-25

Psalter: Psalm 46, 47 | 44, 45

Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 16:1-9 

Homily

The Transfiguration of Christ 
August 6

The Collect

O GOD, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. 

Epistle Reading: 2 Peter 1:13-18

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 9:28-36 

Homily

Saint James (25 July) and the Eighth Sunday after Trinity - 2026

 

Saint James 
[July 25th]

GRANT, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 45

Psalter: Psalm 34

For the Epistle Reading: Acts 11:27-12.3a

Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:20-28 

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/james.html#homily

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119:113-128

xv. Iniquos odio habui.

I HATE them that imagine evil things; * but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my defence and shield; * and my trust is in thy word.

115 Away from me, ye wicked; * I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live; * and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; * yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes; * for they imagine but deceit.

119 Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross; * therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; * and I am afraid of thy judgments.

xvi. Feci judicium.

I DEAL with the thing that is lawful and right; * O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

122 Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good, * that the proud do me no wrong.

123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health, * and for the word of thy righteousness.

124 O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy, * and teach me thy statutes.

125 I am thy servant; O grant me understanding, * that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand; * for they have destroyed thy law.

127 For I love thy commandments * above gold and precious stones.

128 Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments; * and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 4:1-10 (11-14)

Psalter: Psalm 39, 41 | 37

Epistle Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 7:15-21 

Homily

Seventh Sunday after Trinity and a Pastoral Letter - 2026

 

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.97-112

xiii. Quomodo dilexi!

LORD, what love have I unto thy law! * all the day long is my study in it.

98 Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; * for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than my teachers; * for thy testimonies are my study.

100 I am wiser than the aged; * because I keep thy commandments.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, * that I may keep thy word.

102 I have not shrunk from thy judgments; * for thou teachest me.

103 O how sweet are thy words unto my throat; * yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!

104 Through thy commandments I get understanding: * therefore I hate all evil ways.

xiv. Lucerna pedibus meis.

THY word is a lantern unto my feet, * and a light unto my paths.

106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed, * to keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am troubled above measure: * quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord; * and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is alway in my hand; * yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me; * but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever; * and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112 I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, * even unto the end.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Hosea 14:1-9

Psalter: Psalm 32, 36 | 33, 34

Epistle Reading: Romans 6:19-23

Gospel Reading: St. Mark 8:1-9 

Homily

 

From my letter to my congregation this week:

While I was at General Assembly in late June, I was given a book that was a pleasure to read. It’s written by two brothers, one a Pastor and one a Ruling Elder. It’s about the importance of the local church; “Together: Why We Need the Local Church” by Gabriel and Isaac Wingfield. 

Here are two quotations to give you a little flavor for the book: 

“Members of the body have a lasting connection to Jesus, and so we have a lasting connection to each other…The unity of members of the church is a beacon of hope for the world. Jesus told his disciples that our loving unity actually makes the church distinct: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). In the world, people only value each other because of what they can get from each other. By contrast, in the body of Christ, we value others not because of what they can do for us, but because God values and loves each of us, in spite of our weakness and sin. Since each of us has been known and loved by God, we in turn seek to love and know each other” (pg. 99). 

“Maybe we’re attracted to a church for the wrong reasons: we share the same socio-economic class, political views, or ethnic or racial background with the congregation. The world believes that these are the things that create ultimate unity (or division). However, it is God’s love for us, in Christ, that unites us into a shared life of love (1 John 4:9-12). This compels us to love each other across differences that the world finds insurmountable” (pg. 102). 

If you know me well, then you know well why these paragraphs stick out to me. 

The authors cover many things regarding the church in this handy manual. The church as a society, membership, church discipline, leadership, sacraments, and so much more. All the things that go into what it means to be a member of a church. The reason they do this is because, “to the extent that the church stays on the edges of your daily life, you are missing out on a gift from God” (pg. 1). It is easy to read and digest and would be good for you to pick up and pour over. 

 

Pastor Mike

Sixth Sunday after Trinity and a Pastoral Letter - 2026

 

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 119.81-96

xi. Defecit anima mea.

MY soul hath longed for thy salvation, * and I have a good hope because of thy word.

82 Mine eyes-long sore for thy word; * saying, O when wilt thou comfort me?

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; * yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of thy servant? * when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me, * which are not after thy law.

86 All thy commandments are true: * they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth; * but I forsook not thy commandments.

88 O quicken me after thy loving-kindness; * and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

xii. In æternum, Domine.

O LORD, thy word * endureth for ever in heaven.

90 Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another; * thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinance; * for all things serve thee.

92 If my delight had not been in thy law, * I should have perished in my trouble.

93 I will never forget thy commandments; * for with them thou hast quickened me.

94 I am thine: O save me, * for I have sought thy commandments.

95 The ungodly laid wait for me, to destroy me; * but I will consider thy testimonies.

96 I see that all things come to an end; * but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be * world without end. Amen.

 

The Collect.

O GOD, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 57:13b-19

Psalter: Psalm 28, 29 | 30, 31

Epistle Reading: Romans 6:3-11

Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 5:20-26

 

Homily

 

I share with you my recent letter to my congregation. First, a little back story. I just spent about 4 days in the hospital from Thursday until Sunday. I had to enjoy the 4^th of July, recovering from a huge loss of blood at the infirmary and was released on Sunday. That should explain why I didn’t send out the Collect and material for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity. Now, my letter:

 

Last night our next-door neighbor – probably mid-30s – asked me a question about my experiences last week, and all that happened. “Hey. Did you learn anything from it?” Wow. Now that is a question. I mentioned a few things to him, but his question has kept me thinking. What did I learn? Let me list a few thoughts below. Some of them I already knew but became fresh to me. Others I knew but took for granted.

 

•          My wife is my First Responder, my special operator, my priceless jewel: “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10). It is too easy to let the routine, the day-in-day-out stuff blur that. But right now it’s clear as day to me.

 

•          Simple biology. You need blood to breath and function. “For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life” (Leviticus 17:14). Sounds gory, but that was an eye opener in new ways. ‘Nuff said.

 

•          Being worried over by my daughters, watching my sons be men, embracing my precious daughters-in-law, holding my newest grandbaby. Oh dear God! Life is good! They are a gift. Who am I to be so gifted and loved? “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).

 

•          I cherish you, brothers and sisters! I missed you. I missed our worship, discussions, camaraderie, jesting, communing, singing, and hugging. I missed those precious high-5s and smiles of the kids. And right now I’m missing VBS as I continue to recover. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).

 

•          I’m as stubborn as a rock.

 

•          Life is short. Up and running 3.2 miles, going and blowing all day on Wednesday, and then flat on my back in the wee hours Thursday morning wondering if I would survive. Truly, James is correct to remind us we should see each day, each breath, each moment as a gift of God: “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:14-15).

 

•          You have no idea how much you have meant to others or impacted them. There’s a lot behind this lesson that’s personal to me, so I’m going to keep the details personal and close to my chest. But it was a lesson that blessed the socks off both my feet, warmed my heart, lifted my head, and brought me to say to God, “Wow! I had no idea!”

 

•          I’m stubborn as a rock. I did already say that, right?

 

•          The Lord is my shepherd, and his sheep dogs – goodness and mercy – are hounding me all my days (Psalm 23). Thank God!

 

•          My only comfort in life and in death is that with body and soul, both in life and death, I am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

 

Brothers and sisters, lift up your eyes and rejoice in the gifts you’ve been given. 

With love,

Pastor Mike