1.) Mark Sheplak was unanimously elected to serve this church family in the office of elder. He will be ordained Sunday.

2.) Joseph Kibbewot has returned. Christ Community’s favorite Kenyan was in our worship service yesterday!

More to come on both of these great acts of God.

A few weeks ago in a sermon I mentioned a story of a Texas QB whose worst day was his best day.  The point was that God can be mightily at work during times when we feel the most “down”.  Stephen Addcox told me the principle of God working in our darkness reminded him of a poem by Milton.  Then he (Stephen, not Milton) sent me this:

From a very young age John Milton was convinced that he would one day write a
great epic poem. He was mostly involved in politics until he went
blind, and as you can imagine, it’s not easy to write in 17th c.
England when you’re completely blind. Ultimately he composed the
entirety of Paradise Lost in sections that he would memorize and then
recite to a transcriptionist. But before that he despaired that God
had robbed him of the opportunity for greatness; this poem is an
expression of his doubt and struggle with his blindness.

Patience here is personified as a voice speaking to Milton’s
distress.

“On his blindness”

When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
‘Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?’
I fondly ask.  But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.  His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.’

Spurgeon on Hebrews 12:2

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument–it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.

Lord, I have heard of your fame;

I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.

Renew them in our day,

in our time make them known;

in wrath remember mercy.

(Habakkuk 3:2 NIV84)

Looks splendid