January 11, 2019
Dear friends,
This week Karen and I have been sorting through piles of papers and books that we have accumulated over many years. You could say that we are getting a head start on spring cleaning, but it would be more accurate to say that we are trying to do what should have been done years ago. “Better late than never” has been my motto for a long time and now I am trying to follow the advice in the following expression: “A place for everything and everything in its place.”
The new location of the radio follow-up office is near the Chateauguay Community Centre, where many pre-owned household items and clothing are sold. The centre is in a building that used to be a hardware store, so its present purpose is similar to the goal of the former owners: to help people furnish their homes. As believers, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, as the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth. How often do we think, however, about keeping ourselves a proper vessel for the Lord? Do we allow things into our life that should not be there?
In 2008, a film entitled “Fireproof,” written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, brought the subject of pornography to the forefront in the film industry. Featuring Kirk Cameron, an actor who is well-known in Hollywood, the film shows how online pornography can undermine a marriage. For more information about this thought-provoking film, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireproof_(film). You may have noticed that items for Valentine’s Day are already being promoted in stores. Retailers don’t waste time between holidays! While advertisements about February 14th emphasize the opportunities to show your love for your “significant other,” there is no mention of the distorted view of love that is rampant on the Internet. For a helpful article about dealing with pornography, please visit: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/seven-things-to-do-after-you-look-at-pornography. As we go into 2019, may we walk each day as though the Lord were right beside us, because He is!
Scripture for the weekend: “Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “When we cry out to God in prayer, we may not understand or articulate our real need, our real hurt – but the Lord knows us through and through. We can depend on Him to hear us, to act on our behalf, to work in our best interests.” – Ray Stedman (from “Talking with My Father,” 2017, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids MI)
By His grace,
Steve