Visible Fruit
Growing up in Florida I can remember smelling the orange blossoms in the evening breeze. Every year when I smelled the first hint of blossoms I stopped to take in a deep satisfying breath. I took a breath like that this weekend.
We live in a time when struggle is frequent and as a pastor I become aware of many of your struggles and challenges. I have prayerfully shouldered the burdens with you. I have also been blessed to watch the Holy Spirit at work in your times of need.
Andy and Gen have grown so much in ministry, in giftings, in parenting, in faith. What a blessing to witness the Lord in their lives. Gen’s music was beautiful and I was thankful to Andy as he shared the importance of your involvement and investment with Calvary Fellowship in Ottawa. There are new believers and a growing fellowship in Ottawa because we responded when the Lord ask “Will you help Andy&Gen in their work for Me?” You said “yes!” and God has moved.
The Bozarth Family suffered the loss of their beloved mother, Diane. Many of you cried with them. But we don’t grieve like the world, we have hope. Many of you surrounded the Bozarths with love and support. The family shared great testimonies of God’s love and their hope. The Calvary Chapel Family came along side and showed God’s love and hope in action. Thanks especially to the young adults.
The ladies joined in prayer on Saturday and Mike Rooks headed out to the Sudan. The men are gathering on the 26th to hear Randy Saul’s testimony from his recent trip supporting a church in Kenya. People digging into the Word in Bible studies, Discipleship Groups, and Prayer times. The youth are growing in fellowship, worship, and the Word.
This week I heard from many of your testimonies, where you have shared your faith, prayed with others in need, reached to support people around you, and led some to Christ.
This weeks struggles were met with prayer, love, and hope. Testimonies of answered prayer, strengthening faith, sharing our faith, and seeing people led to Christ.
When the weekend came to an end I stopped. I took a deep satisfying breath. The hint of fruit on the trees came on evening breeze, the “Fruit of the Spirit” in blossoming. Breathe in with me, ahhh how satisfying.
Come Holy Spirit come!
