[Faith-Talk] FW: Pastor Aaron's Weekly Memo

Tue Jul 23 15:21:12 UTC 2019

                I always enjoy our pastor's weekly updates. I found this one
especially encouraging today. Does your pastor send out church family
updates? If so, I'd love to read it!...

Blessings,

Steve

From: Aaron White <noreply at fellowshiponego.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 10:11 AM
To: steveheesen at aol.com
Subject: Pastor Aaron's Weekly Memo

Dear Church, 

In the words of John, I pray this message finds all going well with you (3
Jn. 2). Tanya and I receive John Piper's daily devotionals (Solid Joys) on
our phones each morning. These short, Scripture-packed articles bring the
Word of God before our minds and hearts as we start our day. Recently I read
one of my favorite devotions from Psalm 42. As a Christian who battles
periodic seasons of anxiety and depression, I was encouraged (yet again) by
the comments from Piper and Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. "Why are you cast down,
O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall
again praise him, my salvation and my God" (Ps. 42:11). Regarding this
verse, Lloyd-Jones writes: "Have you realized that most of your unhappiness
in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of
talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you
wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking
to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is
talking...Your self is talking to you. Now this man's treatment [in Psalm
42] was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts
talking to himself...His soul has been depressing him, crushing him. So, he
stands up and says, 'Self, listen for a moment; I will speak to you.'" Would
you join me today in the battle for joy? Will you intentionally lay hold of
God's promises and preach them to yourself as you work, drive, cook, clean,
and lay down to sleep? Praise God for the sword of the Spirit that cuts
through the fog of depression and fear. Onward! 

1. Sunday Picnic - This Sunday (7/28) will be our church picnic after second
service. In addition to bringing a dish to share, I want to encourage all of
us to prepare our minds and hearts to be intentional about greeting, eating
with, and fellowshiping with folks that we normally don't get a chance to be
with. Since the gospel binds us together despite our differences, we can
come together as the family of God--regardless of age or background--and
enjoy loving fellowship. May God's greatness be declared as we serve, love,
and welcome others for joy and his honor! 

2. Guest Preacher - My dear friend Jacob Hatfield will be preaching the Word
at River Hills on Sunday, August 11th. Jacob is a church planter with the
Southern Baptist Convention in the suburbs of Minneapolis and has been a
friend and ministry partner to me for years. In addition to planting a
healthy, gospel-centered church in 2020, Jacob is also scheduled for a
kidney transplant (due to diabetes) in the next few months. Since I value
Jacob's godly character, commitment to the authority of Scripture, and
gifting as an expositional preacher, I wanted to bring him to RHCC to feed
and bless us before his schedule would no longer allow it. Also, in light of
our study of 2 John, this was also a great opportunity for the elders to
show hospitality to a guest preacher while also exercising discernment and
wisdom. Please join me in praying for our brother as he prepares to exalt
God's glory from the Psalms. 

3. Steward Your Summer - We are nearing the end of July and the school year
is already beginning to peek over the horizon! Before schedules get even
more chaotic, I wanted to issue a challenge for all of us to steward our
summer by inviting fellow believers, neighbors, coworkers, etc. into our
homes for food, fellowship, and gospel-centered conversations. Perhaps your
Small Group or Discovery Group could host a neighborhood BBQ? Perhaps your
family could invite some believers from church and an unsaved neighbor or
coworker over for dinner at the same time. May the Lord give you grace and
grit to do the hard but joyous work of intentional hospitality! 

4. The White House - After last Friday's infernal heat wave, the kids have
greatly enjoyed being able to go outside and play without the imminent
threat of heat stroke or spontaneous combustion. Tanya brought Ezra to the
doctor for his first check-up and, by God's grace, he is doing well.
Amazingly, he is in the top 90% for height (obviously his mother's DNA, not
mine). I am loving the challenge of studying 2 John and am wrapping up
required reading for a seminary class (Secular Religions). Charlie the
Boston Terrier has been responding well to his obedience classes though he
is not quite ready to graduate with his "K9 Good Citizen Award" yet. With a
little love and a lot of diced hot dogs for incentive, he will get there!
Tanya and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage on July 31st; we marvel to
look back and plot God's grace that carried us through. By his power and
your prayers, I look forward to the next 15 years with my best friend and
sister in Christ. 

Preaching to Myself, 

Pastor Aaron

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