August 5, 2026
It’s good to be back! I was out of town this past Sunday on a dream weekend cruise with my three sisters, so I missed church. I heard that it went well – that Nat Wibberly’s presentation and Pastor Doug’s wrap up were effective, and that the congregational worship had good participation. I was praying for all of you, so I hope that is true!
Although my sisters and I missed services at our home churches, we were still worshiping. (You might laugh, but it’s true!) God was so good to us this past weekend, and we were careful to give Him the praise and the thanksgiving He deserved for taking such good care of us. I don’t know if y’all have ever been on a cruise, but the level of courtesy and friendly service we received, especially for my sister Faith (she’s undergoing very difficult and exhausting cancer treatment currently) was so very much appreciated! God provided adjoining rooms for us, a wheelchair for getting around the ship, a different wheelchair (and a nice man to push it!) to get her on and off the ship itself, and other crewmembers all around the ship who were constantly asking her if she had everything she needed/wanted to eat, to drink, etc. It was beautiful and heartwarming to see her blessed that way and to watch her respond in grateful thanks to them and to God. He even made a way for my other two sisters to accompany her almost all the way home on flights that originally were on different planes and at different times. He is such a good God!
Sometimes we watch other believers praise the Lord in difficult circumstances and it doesn’t really ring true. It feels like they’re saying the words, but their hearts aren’t really agreeing with their mouths. I have always found Faith’s words to match her heart and her behavior. She is the real deal, and spending this last weekend with her inspired me to complain less, work harder to find joy in every situation, and to love people with every ounce of energy I can bring to the endeavor. And yes, that is worship. Jesus said that others would know we were His people by our love for one another.
See you on Sunday!
Careen
Worship Songs for August 9:
Nothing But the Blood – CityAlight – https://youtu.be/etOuhHB1nR4?si=HRqlsLwqkDafBdJy
At Calvary – Ben Speer Singers – https://youtu.be/kh2n2OLC-BA?si=veKbWB47X2_Fpxk2
Goodness of God – Bethel Worship/Jenn Johnson – https://youtu.be/n0FBb6hnwTo?si=OUAbEyy4ZlR2kAbb
Gratitude – I AM THEY (ft. Cheyenne Mitchell) – https://youtu.be/FSBZryBPSzA?si=XmjjxPoDG4m1y5pe