Full circle

Seasons come and go.

We share the bond of Christian love and respect with the Airdrie congregation. We love this place and the Airdrie RP people. They know as long as we are here we will gladly co-labor with them for Christ's kingdom, but it turns out that our time in Scotland is going to be brief.

Through a series of confirming circumstances, we have come to realize that our time in Scotland is coming to an end. Soon we will move back to Kokomo, Indiana. We came with hopes to settle for long-term ministry, but God knows best and has seen fit to closed this door.

We also dearly love the Kokomo RP people. In response to the announcement of our return a dear friend wrote me an encouraging note with this verse from Joshua 1:9,

Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous!
do not tremble or be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Wow, that blew me away! God is truly good and faithful.


Then this past Monday when the movers came to take our boxes, Robert read these words in our morning family worship from Spurgeon's book, Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith:

Rest in All Thy Goings

"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exodus 33:14)

recious promise! Lord, enable me to appropriate it as all my own.

We must go at certain times from our abode, for here we have no continuing city. It often happens that when we feel most at home in a place, we are suddenly called away from it. Here is the antidote for this ill. The Lord Himself will keep us company. His presence, which includes His favor, His fellowship, His care, and His power, shall be ever with us in every one of our marchings. This means far more than it says; for, in fact, it means all things. If we have God present with us, we have possession of heaven and earth. Go with me, Lord, and then command me where Thou wilt!

But we hope to find a place of rest. The text promises it. We are to have rest of God's own giving, making, and preserving. His presence will cause us to rest even when we are on the march, yea, even in the midst of battle. Rest! Thrice blessed word. Can it ever be enjoyed by mortals? Yes, there is the promise, and by faith we plead it. Rest comes from the Comforter, from the Prince of Peace, and from the glorious Father who rested on the seventh day from all His works. To be with God is to rest in the most emphatic sense."

We drew a great solace from these words. It's strange and wonderful to watch our path unfold in front of us trusting in the good judgment of our Heavenly Father.