Let’s begin with me sharing what happened about 10 days ago: I walked into the church office mid-week, with the intention of posting a flyer seeking a medical care giver for Sandy. We are reaching the stage of being desperate to find help. The first person I ran into was Donna Brundage. She immediately was able to provide me with a referral.  As I proceed into the church office, Susie greets me with a big welcome smile and says she would be more than happy to post my flyer. About that time, I ask if Pastor is in and McLane appears from his office and then Janet walks by and shows interest in my project.

Within minutes, I’m surrounded by people brainstorming ways to help me with my mission. This kind of love and support is the epitome of the culture of 1st Presbyterian.

In the words of Paul Harvey, “In a moment, the rest of the story”.

On July 16, 2003, a life-changing event happened to our family. My little sister (a youthful 53 at the time) suffered an accident that would change the trajectory of our lives forever. A pool accident left her paralyzed from the neck down and vent-dependent to breathe.

Fast forward 21yrs and the lesson that we learned is that through faith you find hope and with hope you find peace.

“…We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).

What does all this mean? Sandy’s accident was likely no accident at all but an event that will provide a pathway to eternal life for all of us who have walked this walk with her. We can see God’s hand in every step of the way. To paraphrase Paul in Romans, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us…”

Who would have ever thought that the tragedy of my little sister’s accident would give us Hope (on steroids) of things to come?

The Good News: Have faith that God can transform your suffering into personal character and the hope that springs from it.

“What happens to good people when bad things happen to them? They become … better people!!”

In His Name, Doug

P.S. As of today, we have still not found a person to work with Sandy. If you or anyone you know would like more information on this paid position, please contact Doug at 208-755-9034.

identity of Christ in Us. We don’t have to perform for God to please Him. He loves us no more or less than He ever could … today, tomorrow, and always. God asks us to simply TRUST. God loves us exactly as He created us and, yet, we so often have a hard time embracing our authentic selves. What we often view as our own limitations or shortcomings, God has intricately designed to be opportunities to grow, connect, and to be supported by others. I know I am so often my biggest critic and my inner dialogue consists of things I would never say to a cherished friend. So why do we do that to ourselves? Isn’t it so special when we receive affirmation from those around us? Look for a friend to encourage and uplift this week. 

From the garden to now, we cover up, self-doubt, and try to hide our shame, but shame dies when stories are shared in safe spaces. What is holding you back from living in your authentic identity in Christ? Who can you connect with to share your stories in a safe space where you will be embraced and affirmed with no judgment? Friends, we have so many opportunities at 1st Pres to connect with others, my encouragement is to jump in. As fall approaches, we can look forward to the return of many of our small groups, fun events for all ages, and many opportunities to connect with others … so, come as you are … get plugged in; we were not meant to walk through this life alone!

In His Name, Kierstie

Today I’d like to share a bit of why Micah 6:8 has been one of my lean-on verses for the past 23-24 years. For a summer or two in the early 2000’s, we were paying our youth a $25 stipend to teach the younger children’s Sunday School class with adult support. My son Michael (a teen youth then) thought that with the help of his teacher mom, this might be easy money. (Hmm… I think he changed his mind as I recall he only signed up for one Sunday.)

Micah 6:8 was the lesson he was assigned and well, as the saying goes, “You learn the most when teaching others.” It was through our time of preparing for this lesson together that I came to love and to be claimed by this verse. (Though it didn’t ignite a passion for teaching in Michael, I often feel like he took the lesson to heart as these attributes were so clearly reflected in his life.)

It is a simple but comprehensive directive on what God deems good and requires to live a life directed by love. Additionally, we are reminded that this command has been told to us (ME!) before, again and again and again some more. What I hear in Micah 6:8 are the specific “how to’s” of Matthew 22:37, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” And I, “O wo-man” definitely benefit from having a message repeated in varied and multiple ways as I inch my way to maturity in faith.

It is when I find myself rewinding and repeating a conversational conflict through my retro mind-cassette (attempting to justify my hurt/anger) that I eventually realize I need to return (yet again) to what I have been told is ‘good’. While this sounds simple, it often feels impossible on my own. For me to return to the path of justice, mercy and humility, I have to actually backtrack, starting with the intention to set aside my ‘overblown sense of self-righteousness’.

This is where I sulkily discovered myself this past weekend, with my feet mashing about in a mess of muddy indignation. It was when I was able to confess to myself that my intention was still on the muck and not on the path — with the timing of this oddly following McLane’s message ‘Rich Living’ — that I was finally open to the idea of softening my heart and releasing my grasp on this unforgiveness.

So, it was with gratitude (yet again) that I was given the opportunity to share my struggle with a good FPC friend. In our conversation, he gently offered the blessing of confrontation — reminding me that God calls us to the action of kindness. This caring act of mercy was what enabled the momentum of Micah 6:8 to take hold in my heart, soul, and mind. Later in the day, this wise, kind FP encourager shared a prayer for ‘grace and peace’. What a blessing it is to realize one’s struggle is being lifted to God in real time. This diligent practice of mercy and kindness is the explicit demonstration of Love 1st in the accent of Matthew 22:37!

Though this time, it was myself who was the fortunate and grateful recipient of this generous mercy, I believe this is what is attracting many who are seeking a church family where the values of Micah 6:8 are lived out and can be tangibly felt. This is what all those folks who are saying, “You are all so friendly here,” mean.
​
Blessed to be a FPC Sister,
Yvette Wyatt

I adored my grandparents. My grandfather had the best hugs, was supportive to his family to his dying day, and never had to give us a dime to prove his abundant love for us. Equally generous of time and love was my grandmother. I couldn’t wait to hear another of her legendary bedtime stories, and she was oh so liberal with her time dedicated to us.

Our culture seems fixated with the equation of generosity equaling a monetary amount, yet there are so many ways we can be “generous” without turning a dime.
​
Proverbs 11:25 states, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” So let’s try this by starting with family, neighbors, and the people we meet in our daily journey. A simple “Good Morning” to all we meet, done honestly and consistently, establishes the vibe and feeling we would want for ourselves, and inevitably will be returned and “refresh” us as well.

There is a statement in Matthew 10:8 that reads, “Freely you have received, freely give”. We can all think of countless ways that people can freely give as they have received. Volunteer organizations that feed the elderly, take care of animals, fight fires, enrich our children in schools, and establish mission programs all over the world to promote the abundant love we find in our Bible readings.
​
There are 2300 verses in the Bible that refer to giving. There MUST be something to it. Let’s start by not being “petty or mean to each other”, instead by being liberal in our giving and sharing, by spreading the abundant love we hold in our hearts, and being magnanimous with our kindness which will surely return to “refresh us”.

​In His Name, Craig