Dear Norwegian Friends

Please be assured that our hearts go out to you in this hour of National tragedy and grief. In times like this, there are many questions but very few answers. Betty I are praying for you as Siblings in Christ and for the your Nation as a whole.

I have included the picture of the Light house at Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia to remind you that there are times in our lives when we need a guiding light, this is a time like that. May God’s grace and peace govern your hearts and minds at this time.

We will continue to pray for all of you,
Paul and Betty Weresch

It's Good To Go Home

Both Paul and Betty and my wife, Sharon, and I have been doing some traveling this month. The Weresch’s are on an odyssey across the US and back across Canada taking the whole summer. Sharon and I traveled to Oklahoma to attend my grandson’s wedding. All four of us have marveled at the beauty of God’s creation. We have traveled through areas that cry out … confirming the power of the Lord … seeing new and different sights.

Isaiah 55:12: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

Yet, as our trip from Oklahoma City neared the end and we grew closer and closer to home, we began to look forward to our beautiful little valley, the rolling hills of wheat, the craggy canyons and wide flowing rivers, the awesome grandness of North Idaho … we were nearing our home and we were glad to be back.

Isn’t that the way we all are in our travels through life. The world offers so many wonderful things to woo us away from our home. We enter the world, we experience different things, we fight for position and for affection. We seek the approval of men and compete in the “rat race”. We become enthralled with sinful things, many times without knowing we are doing it … we have strayed from “home” … the bosom of God.

If, my friend, you have stumbled upon these words and you suddenly realize that you are a long way from home … or, if you have known for a long time and just don’t know your way back … there is good news. He is waiting. He is longing for your return … and He can’t wait to enfold you in His loving arms.

As the Lord told Israel in Hosea 14:1, “Return to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!”

Stop in the road and do a “180” … and say: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.“ (Luke 15:21). That’s what the prodigal son of the Bible said when he returned … that is called repentance.

Remember the Father’s reply in verses 23-24? “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” … that is called Grace.

"So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.” Hosea 12:6

Though your travels may have led you far away … you are now home

As Asaph wrote in Psalm 73:28: “ ... as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Welcome home weary traveler!

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

From the Little Church Down the Street ...

The elders of our local church have a standing account with the Thrift Shop in town. If the proprietor, a Christian lady, sees someone in the store that is in obvious need, she is to offer a bag of clothes or whatever else they might need, and it goes on the account.

This little gift has proven to be a wonderful testimony to the Grace of God. The highest the elders have ever had charged was $10.00 and most of those receiving the gifts only take $2.00 or $3.00 worth. For that amount they can stuff in as much clothing as a paper grocery bag will hold. The store owner lets the recipients know that it is an offering of love from the little church down the street.

As a harried young mother accepted her bag of winter clothes … two small children hanging on to her hands … she was heard to ask, "Why do they do this for me … they don’t even know me."

She was right … the elders probably didn’t know her. But, they loved her … not because they knew her … but because they knew their Master, Jesus Christ.

John described the Christian when he said "We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

God is described in Deuteronomy 10:18 as the one "… who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing."

John again, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)

"We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:16-18

Love does not ask how this young mother found herself in a position of great need. It doesn’t tsk-tsk over bad decisions she might have made. It just says … give. From your heart … give. Jesus Christ asked us to mold our lives here on this earth in an image of himself … and that is His image … one of love.

That is what Grace is all about … an unbending and undeserved love for all of us. All of us have made bad decisions … all of us have fallen short … all of us are the most dastardly of sinners. But, the love of God … Grace … trumps it all.

And, to that young mother and all who resemble her, God gives this invitation, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live." (Isaiah 55: 1-3)

That’s today’s message from the Little Church Down the Street.

Larry Abele – Editorial Team