Greetings Brethren,

As I sit down to write this note, I can't help but think about the blessings God brings into our lives. Even when our plans may not unfold the way we would have desired, we can step back and see the clear evidence of the hand of God in our lives. I got a dose of that this week, because nothing about this week went according to plan. Yet, in all the emotional ups and downs, I saw the hand of God in our lives and the joy still remains. No, I'm not at camp, but I'm now a Grandfather. What an honor to be blessed with! 

Although I spent a lot of time preparing for something that I had to cancel, I know for a fact that time wasn't wasted. It actually helped me step back and see my situation this week clearly. In that preparation, I was writing a Christian Living message for our teens that was centered around Psalm 37:5-6 where King David wrote, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."

That simple yet powerful instruction is a key to how we live as Saints of the Most-High. It's a wonderful reminder that when we rest our full assurance of Faith in God, we commit our way to Him, we can be confident that whatever happens, God is always with us. Yes, there may be times that we are force to change our plans and our situations are not ideal, but when our ways are committed to God we can be at peace with it. This is because we put trust in God above even our own plans. 

That's the result of placing all our cares, anxieties, and plans upon Him, we have peace because we see the situation through the eyes of faith. When all else fails, we can put our confidence in what will always remain, God, His truth, and His promises. God's hand is there, it takes a heart focused on Him to see it! We must see it, trust in it, be committed to it, and willing to be guided by it.

This week serves for me as a reminder of the might, the faithfulness, and the love of the One we serve, even when life throws a curve ball. I'm sure you all would agree, because you all have experienced these moments in your lives as well. That's the privilege extended to us to experience each and every day of our lives. We are part of something so amazing and we know that all things work together for the good for those who Love God, those called according to His purpose.

As we move forward as a congregation, let's please keep in mind that things may not always go as planned. Perhaps we may be force to change our plans, face challenges, some known and some unforeseen, but let's be resolved to face them with Hope. Let's seek the joy found in the Trust, Faith, and the Commitment in God First. Whatever happens then, we know we can experience peace, we can see the blessings, because we focused on the Hand of God above all else. 

Happy Sabbath!
Ryan Hall