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Dear SCC & Friends, Without faith it is impossible… ~Hebrews 11:6 Reflection #333                  Faith always points us to God’s character, His Word and His will. It always involves confidence in God Himself… Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ~Heb. 11:1 Biblical faith requires trust and confidence in God even when we do not see the “things hoped for” or understand what God is doing… For we walk by faith, not by sight… ~2nd Cor. 5:7 Noah obeyed God and…

Dear SCC & Friends, …the proper time… ~1 Peter 5:6 Reflection #332                  I remember reading somewhere about an organization called “Procrastinators Anonymous”. I was told they had been in existence for some years but had never gotten around to having a meeting. The truth is that right now counts forever… It is only in the amazing present that our lives intersect with time and eternity. God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts, without enabling them…

Dear SCC & Friends, …small things… ~1 Corinthians 1:28 Reflection #331                  Nothing escapes His eye… Our grandson was diagnosed with an “egg-sized” brain tumor when he was just five years old. It was very serious and would require two complex and dangerous brain surgeries near his hypothalamus, pituitary gland and optic nerves. The hypothalamus gland is the size of an almond and manages bodily functions such as blood pressure, hunger and thirst, mood and sleep. The pituitary gland is even…

Dear SCC & Friends, It was for freedom… ~Galatians 5:1 Reflection #330 Two hundred and fifty years ago… The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America                  WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect…

Dear SCC & Friends, He who isolates… ~Proverbs 18:1 Reflection #329                  It is not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:48) is a statement that applies not only to marriage but to all of life. There is a difference between isolation and solitude… Isolation cuts us off from others and diminishes our faith… Solitude may involve being alone, but it strengthens faith and spiritual renewal… He who isolates himself seeks his own desire, he quarrels against all sound wisdom. ~Prov. 18:1 Self-serving isolation is contrary…

Dear SCC & Friends, A good man… ~Proverbs 13:22 Reflection #328                  One of my favorite movies is “Saving Private Ryan.” The closing scene shows a young Private Ryan transformed into an old man at the Normandy American Cemetery. His wife, grown children and grandchildren are in the background as he stands before the grave of the man who gave his life to save his. Ryan’s rescue came at great cost of life and limb… The scene depicts an extraordinary…

Dear SCC & Friends, I have been young… ~Psalm 37:25 Reflection #327                  A relationship with Christ is a sacred bond that no one can have for you… Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ~Matt. 16:13 followed by a very specific question requiring an answer, “Who do you say that I am?” ~Matt. 16:15 I remember praying as a teenager, “I may leave you, but please don’t ever leave me.” Even then, I knew I’d…

Dear SCC & Friends, Integrity of the upright… ~Proverbs 11:3 Reflection #326                Integrity may be defined as honesty, virtue and wholeness. It embodies truth, authenticity and moral character. Our character is who we are when no one is looking. ~Anon.~ Character is who we are at this present moment and is revealed through our thoughts, words and deeds. We can fool some people all the time and all the people some of the time but not all the people…

Dear SCC & Friends, Be patient… ~James 5:7 Reflection #325                Most of us like to be active, purposeful and productive. We were made to interact and socialize as part of a family, community and nation. Along the way we inevitably encounter trials, troubles and accumulated worries. John Newton was a former slave trader turned Anglican clergyman… He wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace,” and knew the importance of living in the present… “I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the…

Dear SCC & Friends, …as unknown yet well-known… ~2 Corinthians 6:9 Reflection #324                Without memory there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future. ~Elie Wiesel~ The need to remember is a common thread throughout Scripture… The gift of memory allows us to relive moments, calling to remembrance our journey with the Lord and one another. Memorial Day is celebrated in the United States to commemorate and honor those who died in the service of their country.…

Dear SCC & Friends, Well done… ~Matthew 25:21 Reflection #323                Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like. ~Will Rogers~ Our value and identity is not to be derived from what others think or say about us… The fear of man brings a snare… ~Pr. 29:25… The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom… ~Pr. 1:7 In other words, wisdom first begins with a sincere reverence and expressed honor to God. What matters most in…

Dear SCC & Friends, …troubles… ~James 1:2 Reflection #322                Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matt. 6:34 It is not a big revelation, but troubles are here to stay…all kinds of troubles, problems, concerns, irritants, distresses and conflicts… You name it… It’s a never-ending list of unsolicited and often painful circumstances beyond our immediate control. The word trouble is derived from the Latin word turbo, which means to turn or stir… bringing about agitation or disturbance. Who is the man who has…