hey folks.
I wanted to start a newsletter.
partially to let you know about what’s upcoming because, let’s be honest, there’s just way too many announcements on sunday.
but also to update you about the on-goings of a2f.
as well as a space to share my own thoughts. reflections. devotions.
dj.
the kids say hello.
what’s upcoming.
a2f friday.
friday, 11/22. 6:30p. armstrong b061.
starting with dinner (chaparritos 🌯), bible study, and ending with a baby shower for matt & sophie.
a2f sunday.
sunday, 11/24. 12p. walc 1018
worship. message. time to pray and share. lunch fellowship.
noblemen info session.
saturday, 12/6. 6p. 1205 hayes.
dinner. casting vision of what a godly man can be.
this past week.
a2f friday. heard amy’s story and a powerful testimony about forgiveness. ended the night with a ridiculous game of hive mentality and late night mc-d’s.
a2f sunday. thanksgiving celebration. a feast as we heard salvation testimonies, ate turkey, ham, chicken, candied yam, green bean casserole, cornbread, mac n cheese, stuffing and a dessert potluck provided by y’all. games. dancing. kpop demon hunter. paul jung. a night of food coma, laughter, and friends. a glimpse of true joy.
launch. dinner and then gratitude sharing. wrapped up the night with personal resume help from working professionals.
new eve info session. incredible breakfast spread. getting excited and inspired about what new eve can be and the vision of becoming godly women.
student leader monthly. dinner. q and a. mostly about dating.
“crowned with glory and honor.”
I was moved by this verse in our recent dt through psalm 8.
When I look at your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
it talks about the destiny of redeemed men and women because of what jesus has done on the cross.
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
we see jesus who tasted death for every man. but the story doesn’t end there. we see jesus who also resurrected and was crowned with glory and honor and invites us into the very same destiny if we believe.
I was moved by this especially in light of a recent memorial service of one of our pastor’s mother. one of the last things she shared before her passing was a sense of awe and wonder and gratitude that, in her father’s house, there are many rooms meaning there is room enough for her. that when she passes, what she will come to find on the other side of death is not uncertainty or condemnation but her true home, a room with her name on it, a crown of glory and honor placed on her head, and a warm welcome and commendation from her creator, her savior, her father, “well done, my child. welcome home.”
and as I meditated on this, I was filled with a deep sense of peace. there is no uncertainty about the future when it comes to my life. I know how it will all end. it all ends in the truest and greatest “happily ever after” and so then I don’t have to fear. I don’t have to grasp. I don’t have to make the most of this life because this life is merely a footnote, an introductory chapter, merely the beginning of the best that is yet to come.
thankful for the hope and assurance and peace that can only come when “we see him… crowned with glory and honor.”
until next time.
dj.