For This Roller-coaster of Experience and Emotion...

 What a roller-coaster weekend this was...

funeral, wedding, wonderful worship service, family thanksgiving dinner/ celebrations

where hearts grief-tender sought and found comfort 

in the unfailing kindness of fellow believers and God's Word.

 The verse below was shared yesterday morning at our worship service 

by a mother whose daughter donated one of her kidneys to a little boy this week.

Ron Seabrooke (whose funeral was on Saturday) was also a dear friend of their family...

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--

how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32

...and then this verse by our dear brother Richard Haverkamp 
who reminded us we did not lose 'our pastor'! 
We lost 'one of our dear pastors'. 
We thankfully have a team who will by God's direction and grace carry on!

Someone shared this verse of comfort and exhortation;
 Heb.13:7-8
 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. 
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

What glorious reminders to give thanks in spite of all we do not understand.

Yes, you know how it is…the ups and downs of love and life

Can lead us into temptation to live in doubt or fear

The could and might of Possibility that wields its knife

Would be too hard to bear without God’s promises to cheer

How could we face tomorrow and the sorrow that yet waits

Without the Hope of He who was, is and ever will be

The faithfulness of God who swings wide morning’s gleaming gates

Will not leave or forsake we who need Him so desperately

…then we press on, though reason leaves our answers full of holes

In the how-why of He whose thoughts and ways test mortal trust

Still, we know He who gave His only Son to save our souls

Will never leave us comfortless in come what may and must

…and we are filled with humble, hopeful, joyful gratitude

Although we cannot see the way, His mercies never cease

Where we would fall prey to despair our courage is renewed

As surrender’s great mystery bestows strength, hope and peace

Yes, you know how it is …the highs and lows, high-fives and blows

Unfurls a roller-coaster ride of both pleasure and pain

Where heart-broken farewells are hinged to handshakes and hellos

To fill us with hope’s thankfulness that words cannot explain

© Janet Martin