Weekly Update 6/21

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was one of prayer and thankfulness as my cousin Stephanie had surgery in Pittsburgh on her hip.  I am glad to report that everything went well.  In Bible study we discussed our part in God’s creation.  The analogy that Edwards presented to represent mankind was beautiful and resonated with many hearts.  He says that we are like diamonds; we are most satisfied when we are channelling God’s light through us, much like a diamond is most beautiful when the sun is shining through it.  We are to be images of God in a dark world.  In Summer Spirit we began by talking about miracles that God is doing or has done in our lives for which we should be thankful.  This topic lead to a discussion and explanation of the process of intercession.  The children grasped this difficult idea with incredible understanding; I was very pleased with them.  Vacation Bible School is beginning next week, and that is where most of my time will be devoted.  I am in charge of the Bible room where the children will learn about Elijah, Elisha, Naaman, and Peter.  It will be a packed week, but I am looking forward to it.  Although all Wednesday night activities are cancelled due to VBS, there will still be Bible Study Tuesday night.  We will conclude the first section of the book, which is dedicated to the logical explanation of Edwards’ thesis, and we will begin the next section, in which we will be guided through passages of scripture that support this argument.  I am excited to see how God’s Word points us to Himself and helps us to understand not only Him more, but also His reasons for creating the cosmos.  

This week’s hymn author is Charles Wesley.  He is by far one of the greatest and most prolific poets to ever have lived.  The number of his hymns total between five and seven thousand.  Yet remarkably, the quantity of the hymns he produced did not cause their quality to suffer.  Most hymnals are filled with the words of his experiences as an evangelist.  He worked often with his brother, John Wesley, ministering in both Europe and America.  One of my favorite works of his is actually a Christmas text — ”Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”  You can find it in the hymnal at number 244.

This week’s psalm is the first part of Psalm 19.  I will give you the last four verses next week.  This psalm is in short meter, so I recommend singing it to the tune ST. THOMAS.  This tune accompanies three songs in our hymnal, and they are “Stand Up and Bless the Lord” (65), “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” (405), and “Rise Up, O Church of God” (433).

Behold the morning sun

Begins his glorious way;

His beams thro’ all the nations run, 

And life and light convey.

But where the gospel comes, 

It spreads diviner light,

It calls dead sinners from their tombs,

And gives the blind their sight.

How perfect is Thy word!

And all Thy judgements just!

For ever sure thy promise, Lord,

And men securely trust.

My gracious God, how plain

Are thy directions giv’n!

O! may I never read in vain,

But find the path to heav’n.