Where the Strength Comes From

These are hard days in the history
of our Country and our World.
People will look
back on these years and give it a
name...students will learn how we
suffered economically and in fear
of those who wish our Country and
its Christian Core obliterated.

September 11, 2001 will likely be
the beginning of that chapter as
they write it in the History Books.

But those who know the Lord, Creator
of All Things, have a joy within them
that remains a mystery to those around
them, unless they too share the joy.

This song says it well....

The joy of the Lord is my strength,
He giveth Living Water and I thirst no more,
He heals the broken hearted and they cry no more...
The joy of the Lord is my strength!

From Nehemiah 8:10 as put to music by Alliene G. Vale.

The peace and joy comes from knowing that this
is not all there is.
This is just the waiting
room to a much better life.
A life that will never end.

All humans are eternal beings.
Those who know the Lord have a wonderful
eternity to look forward to.

From Revelation 21...

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the
first heaven and the first earth had passed
away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw
the Holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down
out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride
beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will
live with them They will be his people,
and God himself will be with them and be their God.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things
has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am
making everything new!" Then he said,
"Write this down, for these words are
trustworthy and true."

The city does not need the sun or the moon
to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it
light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
The nations will walk by its light,
and the Kings of the earth will bring
their splendor into it.
On no day will the gates ever be shut,
for there will be no night there.

Nothing impure will ever enter it,
nor will anyone who ever does
what is shameful or deceitful, but only
those whose names are written in the
Lamb's book of life.

Did you really read that?
Is your name written in that book?

I pray fervently that it is.

For this is where the JOY and
STRENGTH comes from
in times of external distress.

The joy of knowing we have a Savior
who will stand in our place in the
day of judgement. He has already
paid the price. He died an atrocious
death on the cross, at Calvary.

He suffered separation from God, the
Father because of the sin he took upon
Himself...for you...and for me.

But, because He is God, death could not hold
Him. He rose on the third day and He is
alive and very well today!

If you want His Joy and you don't have
it...call on His name.

Turn to the Book of John, in the New Testament
and begin reading. Jesus is the light.
He is the One and only Way to the New Heavens
and the New Earth.

Seek Him. You will find Him.

That is where the
strength comes from!

You will be ever so glad
that you did!!!!

Many blessings on your Sunday.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Easter at the "Church with No Name"!

The Day was glorious!

When the alarm went off at 5:00 AM
I was pretty sure it was not meant for me...

then came those loving hands that gently
shook my shoulders to get me aware enough
to realize... oh yes, the morning of the
Sonrise Service and Breakfast!

Out of bed and on our way to finish all
of the details...
to load the car...
to gather my music, food, flowers for the
centerpieces.
So much to remember!

We got over to the rented facility at about
6:25 AM.

Made up centerpieces for each table with a
vase of flowers and a sweet plush bunny on a
coordinating napkin.

I asked Chelsea to set the tables with springy paper
plates. It looked festive.

Then it was time to head over to the pond for
our Sonrise Service.




It was chilly!

It was short!

But it was sweet!

I just had to get this picture with some of the guys
spiffied up.


We have been struggling to find a new name to suit us...for months!
We may have found it...
Someone suggested Sonrise Community Fellowship.
We like it.
We vote on a new name soon.
Some of the other ones under consideration are:

Living Word Fellowship
Living Word Community Church
Living Way Fellowship
and now...
Sonrise Community Fellowship
or
Sonrise Christian Church

Any Opinions?


It was so neat to look at the faces of these people we have worshiped with for years but had never shared a Sonrise Service with.
A first for this congregation...
but, I think not the last.


The pond was very pretty in the early morning, reflecting anything that it possibly could.

Our breakfast was preceded by some impromptu competition over
some pancake making between Brenda and Myself...too fun,
we ate a great breakfast.
After praying for the meal,
Pastor Mike had our friend, Phil,
read my Dad's poem aloud.
The one in the previous post.
This was a surprise for my Mom and
brought her to tears.

I snapped this picture as people began to be seated.
Look there is room for you!
We are a small congregation but we had an
awesome worship service!
God is so Good!
His presence was so real!

I don't know what the future holds for us
but I do know WHO holds our future...



I hope you know THE ONE who Rose on the third day. HE is in Heaven preparing a place for those who call upon HIS name for eternal salvation. How sweet to know that our Redeemer LIVES!


One of the kids snapped this picture of a banner I made for our old church building.
It made more sense there, aesthetically, but I think it
is sweet that Pastor Mike brings it to whatever facility we are
renting to bring a bit of "home" with us.

It serves as a great reminder...to Rejoice!


A question to ponder for fun: What happened to the dead people that came
out of their tombs as Jesus Died. This is reported only in Matthew 27. None of the other gospels say a word about it and then we never know what happened to them. Did they continue living lives and then just die of old(er) age or did they return to the tombs a little bit later. I don't think we can know that answer. It is just not given...but we had a lively discussion about this...just for fun.