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This is Church

"Don't bear trouble, use it. Take whatever happens - justice and injustice, pleasure and pain, compliment and criticism - take it up into the purpose of your life and make something out of it. Turn it into testimony" (E Stanley Jones - Missionary to India)

"What do people do, if they don't know God?" was one of our children's questions yesterday, as they reflected on responding to /dealing with /adjusting to the sudden and tragic death of Annie.
Annie was a beautiful girl - always cute and smiling - to know her was to love her. She touched so many lives. As over 200 of us met last night to pray, I could just imagine her walking in and laughing, incredulous that we had all gathered for her! We know for certain that she is in a better place. At the same time we are so very sad; and we especially pray for God's comfort, hope,peace and strength for her parents and brothers.

Since hearing the terrible news, both Simon and I have been so proud of our Kerith teenagers. They have spent time together hanging out in the Kerith lounge. They have comforted eachother; cried together; told funny stories about Annie; prayed together and have both given and received many hugs! The most wonderful thing about being at Life tonight was seeing them comfort others "with the same comfort they received". The friends who were closest to Annie comforted others and brought hope to others. They showed strength, faith, maturity and love -we are so proud of them . We're proud too of their leaders and the example that they are setting.
This is community, this is Church .

Tonight, as last night we worshipped. Yes, it's hard to sing, but oh it's powerful. Singing truths, proclaiming our hope in the Cross and in our salvation and eternal life in Jesus - it's powerful and it's healing. I once heard someone say "the facts have changes, but the truth hasn't changed" and it's true - God is love; He is good all the time; His ways are higher than our ways.

We are praying for you all. Take your pain to God - He can handle your feelings and your pain. Search His word for the truth - search it for comfort and hope. Go to Him and to Godly friends who will do you good.  Come and gather together; come and pray; and come and worship.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in HIS WORD I put my HOPE" Psalm 130 v 5

"We lift up our eyes, He's the giver of life"

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