Central Baptist Church of Westerly
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
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Stand in the gap with prayer
July 17, 2019
Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt helpless and wondered what you could
do to change a situation? I have. I'll never forget a phone
call I received about sixth months into my ministry. It
began with the ominous statement, "Cal, I have some
difficult news to share with you." From there, things
went downhill. He and his wife were getting a divorce.
My heart ached for them.
We live in a broken world. Over the years too many
couples have come to me with that same message. As
these situations arose, I've offered counsel, shared books,
spent time listening to both sides and lifted up lot of
prayers. Despite my best efforts, too often the end result
was still a break up of the marriage. In the end I usually
felt that I had done very little to help.
There is a lot of disappointment that comes in the
dissolution of a relationship. There are broken dreams
and unfulfilled promises. There is hurt, frustration and
anger. Hearts are broken. As I received yet another call
recently, I began to realize that the pain that is
shouldered by the couples, and the sorrow that I have
felt for their situation, is truly shared by God.
I believe God's heart aches over our failed relationships.
God wants us to be happy and to lead joyful lives. He
wants us to be empowered and to find true fulfillment in
every relationship. When we stumble, when we make
poor choices, when we fail, when we lose hope, a tear
wells up in the very heart of God.
The truth is that God understands better than any of us
how much betrayal can hurt. He knows what it is to love
and to have that love rejected. He can appreciate our
deep sorrow when hopes and dreams for the future are
shattered and hopelessly marred. For God has lived with
these things throughout creation and He understands all
too well.
God cares. I've found that I can do something in these
situations. I can pray for the couples. I can pray for
reconciliation. I can pray for healing. I can pray that
God will be present in their pain and sorrow and lead
them through this difficult valley. And so can you! When
we pray and turn things over to God, we can be assured
that God will be there for them as they work their way
through the difficulties.
Do you have friends who are going through a difficult
time? You can make a difference in their situation. Be
a friend to them. Offer your advice, listen to them and
let them know you care. Then begin talking to God.
Ask Him, the Mighty Counselor to step in and minister
to them both. Pray that they will feel God's presence
and know that He is with them.
In the end you will have done more for them than you
will ever know. And someday they will come back and
thank you for your prayers.
God bless! See you in church!
Cal
July 17, 2019
Dear Friends,
Have you ever felt helpless and wondered what you could
do to change a situation? I have. I'll never forget a phone
call I received about sixth months into my ministry. It
began with the ominous statement, "Cal, I have some
difficult news to share with you." From there, things
went downhill. He and his wife were getting a divorce.
My heart ached for them.
We live in a broken world. Over the years too many
couples have come to me with that same message. As
these situations arose, I've offered counsel, shared books,
spent time listening to both sides and lifted up lot of
prayers. Despite my best efforts, too often the end result
was still a break up of the marriage. In the end I usually
felt that I had done very little to help.
There is a lot of disappointment that comes in the
dissolution of a relationship. There are broken dreams
and unfulfilled promises. There is hurt, frustration and
anger. Hearts are broken. As I received yet another call
recently, I began to realize that the pain that is
shouldered by the couples, and the sorrow that I have
felt for their situation, is truly shared by God.
I believe God's heart aches over our failed relationships.
God wants us to be happy and to lead joyful lives. He
wants us to be empowered and to find true fulfillment in
every relationship. When we stumble, when we make
poor choices, when we fail, when we lose hope, a tear
wells up in the very heart of God.
The truth is that God understands better than any of us
how much betrayal can hurt. He knows what it is to love
and to have that love rejected. He can appreciate our
deep sorrow when hopes and dreams for the future are
shattered and hopelessly marred. For God has lived with
these things throughout creation and He understands all
too well.
God cares. I've found that I can do something in these
situations. I can pray for the couples. I can pray for
reconciliation. I can pray for healing. I can pray that
God will be present in their pain and sorrow and lead
them through this difficult valley. And so can you! When
we pray and turn things over to God, we can be assured
that God will be there for them as they work their way
through the difficulties.
Do you have friends who are going through a difficult
time? You can make a difference in their situation. Be
a friend to them. Offer your advice, listen to them and
let them know you care. Then begin talking to God.
Ask Him, the Mighty Counselor to step in and minister
to them both. Pray that they will feel God's presence
and know that He is with them.
In the end you will have done more for them than you
will ever know. And someday they will come back and
thank you for your prayers.
God bless! See you in church!
Cal
| Pastor Cal Lord's Weekly Epistle |
| Pastor Cal's Weekly Epistle Every week Pastor Cal writes a weekly column for the Spirit Page of the Norwich Bulletin. He also sends it out to members and friends of the church via e-mail. E-mail him at calstigers@gmail.com if you want to be added to the weekly list. |
| Pastor Cal's Archived Epistles |