On Monday, March 1, the Lord added another to His kingdom as Brandon Congalton was baptized into Christ.Brandon, the youngest son of Russ and Jeanie, is a high school student involved in the Portsmouth Teen Ministry.The evening included teens from both Portsmouth and Southern New Hampshire ministries singing and powerfully sharing how they've seen Brandon mature in his walk with God. Russ and Jeanie both shared how Brandon grew in his faith by studying the Bible, praying and asking a lot of questions about the scriptures.
Several adults who were on hand shared also commented on the inspiration Brandon has been to them and their younger children.His example in serving around the house and in the ministry are an upward call. We are confident the Lord has great plans for Brandon as he continues to walk in God's love and grace.
Waiting on God-Part 3
Monday, 08 March 2010
This is the final part of an article written by Lory Demshar, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Lory serves on the Teaching Team of the Boston Church of Christ.
Waiting in faith involves reading and trusting the Word of God. In Psalm 130:5 the scripture says, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope”. In other words, in God’s waiting room the psalmist is trusting in the Word of God. He is trusting God to fulfill his word. He is practicing faith. When we are in God’s waiting room we must be in the Word of God in order to sustain our trust in Him through time. Reading and meditating on the word of God restores our perspective and builds up our understanding and faith in God. At times when I am very discouraged by circumstances, I sit down and remember how God has worked in the lives of people in the Bible and in my life previously. I review events in the Bible like the opening of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho coming down, Daniel in the lion’s den, Elijah in the contest on Mt. Carmel, and so on. I remember that the God in these accounts is the same God that I believe and trust in, and I am encouraged. It restores my perspective of God working in my life.
On Friday, February 26th, Jen Gee was baptized. The following is a letter written byJen’s mom Janet, that Janet read at the baptism.
It started with a twinkle in Dad’s eye, then 9 ˝ months later, an emergency c-section because you were playing jump rope with your umbilical cord in my womb. What a blessing and miracle you were born healthy. God melted my heart at that moment and I fell in love with being a mom! But you didn’t come with a handbook and parenting proved to be a challenge. Dad & I didn’t agree on how to raise you so we argued a lot. With baby #2 on the way and financial struggles we were on the path of destruction and our marriage was falling apart.
But God had a plan, and at just the right time Dad got invited to a bible talk. Not too long after that God’s word was transforming our lives. Dad studied and got baptized, I studied and got baptized, Jess was born; 2 ˝ years later Tim was born. It was life to the full and we were happy!We still had our struggles and differences, but we always had God’s word to go back to.
This is part two of an article written by Lory Demshar, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. We will run the rest of the article over the next few weeks. Lory serves on the Teaching Team of the Boston Church of Christ.
Waiting is an active process, one in which God works and man works. Four of the most frequently used words for waiting are:
·qavah. which means (1) “to bind together” (suggesting twisting strands as in making a rope, Isaiah(40:31) , “look” patiently,” “tarry or wait,” and “hope, expect, look eagerly,”
·Yachal which means “to wait” or “wait expectantly/ wait in hope,” in the KJV it is translated “trust,” (Isaiah 51:5).
·Damam means “to be dumb, “grow silent, be still,”
·chakah, meaning “to wait, tarry,” or “long for” (Isa. 64:4; Ps. 33:20; 106:13; Isa.30:18).
Each of these words carries with it similar yet slightly different meanings to the concept wait. We see it involves being patient, which means we need to give God time to work. The definition involving binding might imply God working to twist or braid all circumstances together as we wait. I like to look at it as God binding us ever closer in relationship to Him as he works out His will in our lives. It is similar to how difficulties and trials within a loving family bind its members closer together.
This is part one of an article written by Lory Demshar, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. We will run the rest of the article over the next few weeks. Lory serves on the Teaching Team of the Boston Church of Christ.
There is something familiar about this place. I have been here before. In fact, I have been in this room enough times that I should take some comfort here, rather than the uneasiness that I feel. It is in this very room that I have come to know God and my “self” in a more real way. This room has an aura of sacredness about it that is compelling, yet I am tentative and cautious, not fully wanting to remain here. My fear and my sin have at times been exposed here, but it is also a place where building and refining of my faith and character have occurred. No, I am not in a school, a library, or a medical facility, but I am once again in “God’s Waiting Room.” I am sure you have been in God’s waiting room before. Maybe you are or were here with a sick family member or friend; or with an unbelieving spouse or child; or with a rebellious teen; a difficult relationship at home, work or even in the church; a deep disappointment, or personal loss; financial troubles; wrestling with sin or faith. There are many reasons we come into this room.
