Good morning on this wintery white Saturday morning, December 2nd. This has been a somewhat difficult week. I suffered unrelenting pain from the shingles so my doctor put me on a number of medications to handle the situation which is now, thankfully, much improved. Then Thursday night, I spiked a temperature and had to go to the emergency room for tests and treatment, which revealed that I did not have pneumonia, but have a bronchial infection with other corresponding symptoms. They prescribed antibiotics, a good cough syrup and sent me home to rest, which fortunately I have had no trouble doing. Today, the fever is gone and I am beginning to feel human again. So all in all, from a human perspective, it has been a less than stellar week, but whenever I go through rough times I think of the suffering of my Savior on the cross or some of the vets I have seen in the VA hospitals after being severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan and it makes me think that I really don't have much suffering or difficulty at all. I have been reading again in the book of II Corinthians where in chapter one Paul reminds us that in difficult times God comes alongside us as we go through them and before we know it He brings someone else alongside of us going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. Therefore, no times of difficulty are ever wasted in our lives because His healing comfort is made available to us and then through us to others so that we all get the full measure of it. In fact, Paul mentions that the willingness to endure hard times as well as enjoy the good times provides us assurance that we are going to make it. Later in the chapter, he mentions that God had rescued him and adds that He will do it again, by rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing and that you and your prayers are part of the rescue operation. His report was that he had come through with his conscience and faith in tact and could face the world and other believers with his head held high because God had remained focused on him and without compromise kept His promises on which we can always rely. God's promises are stamped with the yes of Jesus so we know that God's yes and our yes together are behind what we preach and pray. Finally, God affirms us with His spirit, stamping us with His eternal pledge that He will complete in our lives that which He has begun. Wow! What more could you ask for than these powerful assurances provided by God in II Corinthians Chapter one? Please take the time to read and review this great chapter. I'm sure it will be as much of a bessing to you as it has been to me. I covet your prayers that I might regain my strength quickly from these last couple of setbacks following my recent completion of my chemo treatments, which has left my resistance somewhat low. Pray that God will renew my strength like the eagle that I might be able to run and not be weary and walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
In light of my circumstances this week, I will not be preaching tomorrow morning, but rather taking the opportunity for rest and recovery. Pastor Dan will be preaching in both services in the AM and Lord willing, I'll hope to be able to preach next Sunday. Again, thank you for your many prayers and loving support.

In Christ,

Pastor Brown