Conklin-Broad Avenue-North News

October Newsletter                         

The beginning of the fall season is upon us and I can feel the change in the air and see the first touch of color in the leaves around us. It truly is amazing how God has designed His trees and their “foliage of fall” to be so brilliant in color as they prepare for a long winter’s nap. I reminded someone the other day that only as these leaves are fading from life do we see the hidden beauty of their color. One writer described our human suffering this way:

“We like to label each other’s problems. Whether the labels are accurate or not, they give us a sense of control. Labels give us the feeling that whatever is wrong is manageable. Somewhere near the center of our approach to community is a failure to see dark valleys for what they are. We don’t realize that they do not primarily represent problems to be solved, but are rather opportunities for spiritual companionship, for experiencing a kind of relating that is better and different from any we’ve known before.”
- Larry Crabb, Becoming a True Spiritual Community

I’m praying that we are becoming a family of faith that is increasingly beautiful in the midst of our sufferings and struggles; whatever their nature. May the colors of our lives and our love become increasingly brilliant to the world around us and may this Fall be a season of great faith and glory to our God and King.

His peace,
Steve Chastain