Rebecca Sim I’m grateful to all the folks stepping up to contribute to and volunteer in food pantries.
At our church, the first week of any month is usually pretty light, since most people just got paid.
But last week was one of the busiest, with many families in need of basic groceries. Praise God for
all He is doing through His people.
Karen Jenkins God is presently at work making most of us aware of the fragility of human life. And
that is not only causing many to be more open to the gospel of Jesus, but it is increasing private and
communal prayer life within the church. I recently participated in a 24-hour call-in prayer line that
focused on COVID-19, and general prayer for our nation and our world. And it was powerful because
the Spirit of God was present to offer God’s words of encouragement through the Scriptures. And it
offered comfort because everyone was fully engaged in prayer, having a single heart. Personally, I have
been having some deep conversations with my children that are meaningful. So, in that way, God is
active in our home. And God is making my husband and I aware of our behavior and words that may
be provoked by stress. And within moments, we confess it and refocus on what is important. God has
been very active in other ways in our personal lives via physical, tangible blessings.
Deborah Peppers God’s unstoppable grace was been poured out recently when I was sick. I reached
out to many I knew would pray because I was discouraged and sick for weeks. Many people prayed and
encouraged. When I felt I couldn’t go on, my fever broke, and strength is returning. This has inspired
me to connect with that grace for others by praying all throughout the days for many who are suffering.
Grace, a beautiful thing!
Nelson Blount There’s a lot of care and
compassion being expressed in CrossPointe
Community. Food is being shared, cards are
being mailed in snail mail, and there is a lot of
Facebooking and texting and telephone calling.
We have a couple who are separated as a
result of a nursing home so the woman is at the
nursing home by herself and the man is at home
by himself. ... We also had bookshelves and
cabinets delivered to the church today. Carpets
have been cleaned, bookshelves and cabinets
have been installed, and we didn’t have to keep
putting things back for Sunday gatherings so that
was a blessing in the midst of what we’re going
through. All in all the birds are still eating their
birdseed that I provide even though it’s getting
a little bit low and it’s being rationed now. Most
of all I believe that this is a time when people
are taking a look at their hearts and minds and
assessing their relationship with Jesus. I’m
having lots of opportunity to encourage and to
point people to lean into Jesus.
pg. 20 — lightandlifemagazine.com
Comment of the Month
The church will not be physically together, but
in spirit we are more united than ever. Let’s
continue asking because whoever asks will be
given. We are praying for our Free Methodist
family and for the whole church in the world.
Our victory is near. #NuevaUncion
– Refugio Sánchez, the senior pastor of Santa Ana
Free Methodist Church in Santa Ana, California
/lightandlifemagazine.com