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Hello GBC,
 
Stay faithful today!
 

Midweek Meditation: Augustine’s Confessions

Here’s an excerpt from the great church father’s best-known work. Quick comment, if the grammar seems off, Augustine capitalized every pronoun referring to God or Christ. Look how he meditates upon God, to God. And, look at how carefully Augustine wants to understand God as God truly is.

"Do the heaven and earth then contain You, since You fill them? Or dost You fill them and yet overflow, since they do not contain You? And whither, when the heaven and the earth are filled, pour You forth the remainder of Yourself? Or has You no need that aught contain You, who contain all things, since what You fill You fill by containing it? For the vessels which You fill uphold You not, since, though they were broken, You were not poured out. And when You are poured out on us, You are not cast down, but You uplift us; You are not dissipated, but You gather us. But You who fill all things, fill You them with Your whole self? or, since all things cannot contain You wholly, do they contain part of You? And all at once the same part? Or each its own part, the greater more, the smaller less? And is, then one part of You greater, another less? Or, are You wholly every where, while nothing contains You wholly?
What are You then, my God? what, but the Lord God? For who is Lord but the Lord? Or who is God save our God? Most high, most good, most potent, most omnipotent; most merciful, yet most just; most hidden, yet most present; most beautiful, yet most strong, stable, yet incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet all-changing; never new, never old; all-renewing, and bringing age upon the proud, and they know it not; ever working, ever at rest; still gathering, yet nothing lacking; supporting, filling, and overspreading; creating, nourishing, and maturing; seeking, yet having all things. You love, without selfishness; are jealous, but not insecure; repent, yet grieve not; are angry, yet serene; change Your works, Your purpose unchanged; receive again what You find, yet did never lose; never in need, yet rejoicing in gains; never covetous, yet exacting usury. You receive over and above, that You may owe; and who hath aught that is not Thine? You pay debts, owing nothing; remit debts, losing nothing."
 

Ministry Prayer Requests

  • Pray that God would give people discernment in their relationships.
  • Pray for protection from the flesh and fiery darts of the Evil One.
  • Pray for our upcoming fellowship and community outreaches.

Ministry Reminders

  • Wednesday night Bible study at 6:30.
    • The church kids to minister to our widows and shut-ins by writing them cards.
    • The kids learn a Bible lesson and memorize Scripture.
    • We will study the Bible inductively— 1 John 3:4-7
  • We have a lot of announcements and signups upcoming, so note them in our written and emailed notifications.
    • Ladies Bible study signups
    • Missions meal and giving
    • Movie outreach opportunities
  • Always be checking your bulletins!

Reading Recommendations

·      The Lost Discipline of Conversation, Joanne Jung- This is a fantastic little book. It uses the Puritans to model and inspire deep, biblical, and meaningful conversation. In an age of communication counterfeits (mostly technological), we need to recover and practice good old fashioned conversations.

·      Amazing Grace, Eric Metaxas- This is fantastic biography of one of Christianity’s most important yet— perhaps proportionate to his influence on the world— least talked about people, William Wilberforce. You need to read this.

In Christ,
Pastor Kyle