THIS PAST WEEK:
It
was a very poignant week for our family. It was the first anniversary
discovering Jaime's massive brain tumor, and also the sixth anniversary of
Kay's breast cancer surgery. I am so thankful to God that these two
very strong women persisted and never gave up hope in God's promises. When they
felt like giving up in the face of great pain and fear, they kept on believing. And yesterday, I watched a
video of baby Cole taking his first steps to his healthy, happy mother.
I
don't know what problem seems hopeless to you right now, but I do know that
giving up, instead of looking up, is a serious mistake. Don't run from God. Run
to him. Because the human brain is not big enough to understand all the
ways of God, we have to trust that God sees what cannot see, and
that he loves us.
One
lesson illustrated from Jaime's difficulties in the birth of Cole is that pain
in our life is actually a protection from something that
would destroy us. After turning to God in his despair, Isaiah admitted, "Surely
it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me
from being destroyed in the pit of destruction". Isaiah 38:17
THIS WEEKEND I'M TEACHING:
The
Transformation Choice: The 5 step process God can use in your life to CHANGE IN
YOU what you THINK is impossible to change.
THIS SUNDAY IS WORLD HUNGER DAY:
Because
so many people are out of work from the recession, our church's food bank has
been feeding hundreds of families each week.
REPORT ON OUR FOOD BANK:
- In May this year, you donated over 10,000 grocery bags of food.
- Since then, you've helped feed over 4,000 families and people!
- Over 123,000 pounds of food given freely to families in need!
This weekend, I want you to bring food,
and also pick up bags to fill with more food to restock our Food Bank
shelves. You are making a difference! Here's what is NEEDED:
Canned meat, instant potatoes,
rice, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, pancake/Bisques
mix, syrup, hot cereal, granola bars, muffin/cake mix, canned vegetables, soup, hamburger and tuna helper, crackers, fruit
juice, baby wipes, toiletries.
You
can drop these off at the church office during the
week or put them in the BLUE BARRELS on the
weekends.
COMING UP:
Oct 17-18 Weekend: Kay will teach the Relationship Choice: How
we repair relationships.
Sunday, Nov. 8: Will be the Saddleback Civil Forum on the
Persecuted Church
Thank you
for your prayers as I write The Hope You Need. We have moved the
release date to January 2010.
It
is a privilege to be your pastor. I love you much. Get my daily inspiration on
Twitter.
Rick
Warren
Saddleback
Church
Purpose
Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E.
Coalition
TWITTER
@RickWarren