Hello Village Church family and friends,

I'm tired this week. I'm grieved. I hurt for for the turmoil our country is in. I'm saddened by the division and hatred that I see. I'm in anguish over the fact that when our country needs the Church--the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)--she's been indistinguishable from the world. I've spent a lot of time in prayer. I've spent a lot of time repenting from my own thoughts and wicked heart, and for the actions of our nation and a people void of God.

Amidst all of this, I rejoice. I rejoice because God is Sovereign. I rejoice because my King will return for His people. I rejoice because my hope is not tied to kings and lands, but to the King of Kings Jesus Christ.

I rejoice because, "He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away," (Job 12:23). "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding," (Daniel 2:21). I rejoice because he has proclaimed good news to the poor, liberty to captives, recovery of sight of to the blind, and has set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).

If you have been struggling to process or understand all that has been and is going on in the world, I would love to talk with you! Please feel free to contact me! I'd love to open the Bible with you, pray with you, and together grow in a Godly, Biblical perspective of the world in which we live.

I'm tired this week. But I'm rejoicing in the Lord! I'm excited to be with you this Sunday to sing, to pray, to hear from the Word, and to have fellowship! Lord willing, I'll see you Sunday!

Grace & Peace,
John
(You can reach Pastor John at jwhite@thevillagemi.com)