Dear Friends,
This has been a difficult week as our nation has suffered a very public tragedy in the Boston Marathon Bombing. I touched on this briefly in my sermon on Sunday. (
CLICK HERE) In the midst of struggles and tribulations we are given the promise of God's presence. It is difficult to reconcile God's love and mercy with tragedy and violence yet we see this throughout scripture. Here are a few references...
"And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." (1Peter 5:10)
""These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."" (John 16:33)
We could reference Paul's
thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7) or the whole book of
Job and many other texts. This world will have pain, suffering and struggles that is a fact but it is also a fact that God uses these things to bring about transformation. The greatest example Almighty God used the pain of the cross of Jesus, his passion, agony and bloody sweat to bring about our redemption.
The good news is God is control and I shared in the sermon this thought from our good friend, Dean Rick Lobs...
I am one of those that has complete and unflinching, trust in the sovereignty of God. I am convinced that His sovereignty extends to the estimated 200 billion galaxies of the Cosmos - as well as the fermions, hadrons and bosons of the sub-atomic world. He has revealed Himself to be the creator and sustainer of all things seen and unseen. His sustaining providence never fails. The worst possible news to me would be that weal or woe were the result of cold, impersonal, purposeless chance - a roll of the dice, as it were. Thankfully I see no evidence of chance either in the Bible or the Book of Common Prayer. I especially value this pull quote from the BCP, "O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live"
Easter joy continues with faith, hope and love. Join us...
in the Mission,
Fr. Jon++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FOOD SUNDAY - April 28th please bring non-perishable food items for the Oviedo Food Bank
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The First Annual Canterbury Christian College Fair and College Planning Workshop April 23, 2013, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center,
1601 Alafaya Trail / Oviedo, Fl 32765
This is a free event to obtain information about several Christian colleges and universities, and other Christian service organizations. To RSVP, please contact Karen L. Mohamad at kmohamad@nextleveleducationalresouces.com
or call 321-303-9219.
