Isaiah 43:2  

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

There are tragedies that happen all around us. We suffer loss of family and friends; of people

we do not know, but read about in the paper, and yet, we are still touched deeply. We have witnessed
war and threats of war. We have seen the competitive spirit of America challenged like its never
been challenged before in various and sundry ways. It seems sometimes that there are more discouraging
stories in the media than there are about the good things that happen in the world.

As Christians — no matter what the world says and does — we are always a people of hope. In view of the
work of our Lord Jesus Christ and His suffering on the cross, we are mindful that even in the most dis-
tressing of times God provides a way out of the struggle and the pain. The pain of the cross is now, for us,
the way of eternal life! His suffering has paid the way to salvation. We have been set free!

Our dear friends, Maggie and Jim Flint, as many of you know, have suffered a very terrible experience:
their home was destroyed early Thursday morning by fire. They have been overwhelmed by this tragedy,
but in the process of just a couple of days, there has been an overwhelming tide of love and caring for
them in every way possible. As a pastor, I have been utterly amazed at the number of calls, e-mails, and texts
about “What can we do?” God’s children are amazing people!

We can be in the midst of floods and surrounded by fire, but we must not be dismayed, for He is with us
forever. In the middle of the wrath and mire of this life, God will find a way to lead us to the joy and peace
that we need to experience.

Pray for Jim and Maggie. They are grateful for all that you have done. Keep the faith and know that they
will withstand the fire. God does not desert us. Through Him we always have hope. Remember the words
of Paul who wrote:

“…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our
hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us…” (Romans 5:3-5)

And please remember this: God loves you and so do we!

Pastor Jim