June 21, 2019
Dear friends,
Thank you to everyone who prayed for the Open House at our ministry office last Saturday and thank you to everyone who visited our new location. It was a blessed day, with the mayor of Châteauguay cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the ministry house at 33 rue Principale, surrounded by many friends of Teddy and Linda who help in their outreach to youth and others.
On this date in 1958, Karen’s parents said their vows in Ontario and after their honeymoon began preparing to travel with Dr. Barry Moore to minister in hundreds of places in North America before moving to France after Karen was born. When her sisters, Margie and Carma, were born in France, the girls’ trio joined Mom and Dad in serving the Lord in music ministry across North America. One of the songs that they sang is entitled “Christ means more to me than you’ll ever know.” When I looked at the screen of the CD player in our car this week, I laughed when I saw that the title showed only the following: “Christ means more to me than you.” What a difference a few letters can make!
In thinking about that song, I wonder how much Christ means to us. If there really are as many Christians in North America as surveys report, why aren’t they having a greater impact on our society? Of course, we do not know everything that is going on inside a person. Our prayer is that our lives will reflect the glory of God and help others to come to a life-transforming relationship with Him.
In his book “Be Confident,” the late Warren Wiersbe writes: “Our hope in Christ is like an anchor for the soul. The anchor was a popular symbol in the early church. At least 66 pictures of anchors have been found in the catacombs.” He continues: “… we are anchored upward – to heaven – not downward. We are anchored, not to stand still, but to move ahead!” There was a report on the Internet yesterday that this summer will bring severe weather, which reminded me of a line in a hymn: “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?”
Yesterday was Karen’s birthday and we celebrated God’s faithfulness to her and our family. I am so glad that the Lord led me in the early 1980s to the best life partner a man could ever find! Thank you for your prayers for our family and for the ministry to which He called us.
Scripture for the weekend: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “The purest form of love is given with no expectation of return. Measured by this standard, earnest prayer for others is a magnificent act of love.” – David Hubbard (from Philip Yancey’s book “Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?”)
By His grace,
Steve