Summer

“for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those, who are weak.” Jeremiah 31:25 (HCSB)

Some time ago, someone told the great evangelist Billy Sunday that revivals were unnecessary because, honestly, they did not last very long. At that comment, Rev. Sunday replied, "A bath does not last, but it's good to have one occasionally." Friends, as I have participated in the Sabbatical that the congregation has afforded me, I have realized that an individual built on spiritual and moral principles must have frequent renewal, or the core of our foundation will crumble.

The question is how or when do we seek an attended renewal? For some, it is lying on a beach covered in millions of grains of sand. For others, it's casting a fishing line in the middle of a mountain stream, and yet for some, it might be just time away sipping coffee and reflecting on the blessings that God has provided. But, never less the time of renewal and reflection is essential. 

In the coming weeks, our students and children will embark on summer traditions that should and will lead to renewal and an understanding of a love of God's Word. 

Our students will be attending Centrifuge at Union University. The students' focus will be on "Resting n the faithfulness of God" the Year 2020 has been an unprecedented time of challenge and change. Life, as we knew it before, is now different. Words such as quarantine, shelter-at-home, and social distancing have become part of our everyday conversations. So much uncertainty, sickness, and loss have become the norm. Yet, during these difficult times, God has not left us. Our students will be encouraged to find rest while seeking His faithfulness while the children will be at home attending VBS. Their focus will be to "Dig Deeper" into the word of God. They will be repeatedly reminded to seek, find, and know with all their heart both God and His Word. There will be children and homes from Maine, Washington, across the state of TN, and right in our basement at church studying material and lessons provided by Union Avenue.

What will your time of renewal be? How will you focus on rest and relaxing in the presence of God? Notice the words of the prophet Jeremiah - "for I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak." Jewish history is punctuated with several "covenant renewals" that brought temporary blessings but didn't change people's hearts. The Book of Deuteronomy records a renewal of the covenant under Moses before the people entered the Promised Land. In addition, before he died, Joshua led the people in reaffirming the covenant (Josh. 23–24). Samuel called the nation to renew their vows to God (1 Sam. 12), and both Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29–31) and Josiah (2 Chron. 34–35) inspired great days of "revival" as they led the people back to God's Law. I'm asking all of us to enter into a time of spiritual renewal. Before Mary and I began this period of Sabbatical, I asked the trustees of both the church and the towers to prayerfully consider the future of the church and our continued Kingdom-focused footprint in MidTown. During this period of rest and renewal, my prayer is that as this summer season progresses, all of us see our thirst become satisfied and that together we can observe God's feeding of all of us that are weak.

Our love is for each of you because of God's love for us!

Pastor Jeff.