Pastor Commentary

Dear Faithful Ones,

Two Sundays ago we took a canoe trip down the rain-swollen Pawcatuck River. It was over its banks in many locations (why that would be flood stage) and was very swift and turbulent. It made for exciting canoeing . This was with a Cub Scout pack led by Randy Knight. Some others of us in the fellowship went along to paddle canoes. Yes, many got wet. One canoe tipped and lost all four of its occupants. They were all safely returned to shore along with the canoe. One lad had to be rescued from the tree branches which he grabbed as he went by. It was a memorable little trip. My grandson asked if he could go again next year. He thought it was great! The Lord preserved us all while we appreciated the force of the small river and saw vistas of leaves in their Fall splendor, albeit through some mist and drizzle. One of the lads took a collapsable umbrella along since it was raining on and off. That was a sight- a canoe with an umbrella up in the midst of it.

We redid a roof for one of the families in our fellowship this weekend. The Lord graciously provided some of the best weather of the Fall.

We only had one person fall completely through the ceiling into the house. We had prayed that no one would fall off the roof. We had failed to pray that none would fall into the house. No one received any injuries, except sore muscles and some tendenitis (not all were used to this physical sort of expenditure).

Besides the good that was done by the labor, it was a great fellowship and team-building endeavor as all the men of the fellowship were involved as well as some of the wives and daughters.

Pass the Gatorade!

I am finding our studies on Thursday and Sunday to be a great challenge to me. We are now in the book of Numbers and, apart from finding the holy water and tabernacle floor dust concoction a bit strange(Numbers 5), we are impressed with the requirement that the camp be clean if the Lord is to dwell among them. How much more so is personal holiness to be practiced as the same holy Lord has taken up His residence in, and among, us, today.

As we continue with Abraham's life on alternate Sundays we are amazed at his immediate and complete obedience when asked to take upon himself and all the males in his camp, the sign of the covenant, circumcision. It was quite an act of faith since this realistically put his crack troops, the ones who had just gone out and defeated the five-king alliance, returning Lot and his family after they had been captured and taken away, out of commission. Prompt, complete, courageous obedience (Gen.17). No wonder Abraham is called God's friend.

We have taken up the Jesus' Room Club again for an 8 week period this Fall. Neighborhood kids near Chris and Carla come in for some singing, a story, and a craft. Good, enthusiastic response. One of the families, with four kids involved, moved away since we did this during the summer :(.

Carpentering stays busy, for which we are thankful.

Our son-in-law, Chris, with a friend of his, has completed the office for us. What a huge blessing! Now I have the privilege of getting my books out of boxes and back in use. Hallelujah!! Chris has been so very helpful around the house the last several months. We thank our Lord.

Sarah is about due any day now. Joshua is in a hurry. A little early, but she has always delivered ahead of schedule.

Abraham was given some promises by God which caused him both to laugh and fall on his face in worship. The laughter was not incredulity, but astonishment and the inability to contain himself. Worship was the only reasonable response. We have been given even better promises. Are we driven to our faces before God as we contemplate the magnitude of the promises and the inexhaustible riches at our disposal? May our joy be uncontainable.

Have a blessed weekend, worshiping and resting.

Russ and Carol