I’m always thankful when my Bible reading brings me into the Psalm 60s. The theme of God as our refuge and strength is, well, strong in Psalm 61 and 62. The imagery that David uses to describes God is full of comfort. And David’s honesty regarding his need and his prayer is so encouraging. A few highlights…
David speaks of God as “the rock that is higher than I,” his refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy, one under whose wings he can take refuge (61:2-4); as well as his salvation, his rock, and his fortress (62:2, 6), the rock of his strength (62:7), the one having power and lovingkindness (62:11-12).
David speaks of himself as calling out to God when his heart is faint (61:2). He tells his soul to wait in silence, for he knows that with God as his refuge he will not be shaken, and his hope is in God (62:1-2, 5-6). The combination of calling out to God and waiting silently for God are not contradictory, but go together in the life of God’s people.
David calls God’s people to “Trust in Him at all times . . . pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (62:8).
When your heart is faint, remember who your God is, trust in Him, pour out your heart before Him, call out to the one who who always give you shelter in the midst of the storm, then wait silently for Him to bring His powerful love to bear on your behalf.
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Did you realize that there is a Korean PCA church right around the corner from us? I didn’t until just a few months ago, when Neil Barnes told me he had met the pastor of The Korean Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Rev. Ki Won Jang.
This congregation was formerly located in Raymond. But a few years ago they moved to 360 Towne Center Blvd. in Ridgeland.
Korean language PCA churches are not a part of the geographical Presbytery in which they are located (in this case, the Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley), but are a part of Korean language Presbyteries that span larger regions of our country. Thus, there isn’t always strong connection between Korean speaking and English speaking PCA churches.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting several times with Pastor Ki Won, and he has asked if we could do a small VBS/Backyard Bible Club with the children of his church.
Because the children speak more fluent English than the adults (for whom English is a second language), having some of our members do this ministry will be a blessing to them. It will also help foster fellowship and community among their families as they seek to strengthen their children’s ministry.
We need around 4-6 volunteers to serve, since there are only around 6 children from ages 5-12. The plan is to do this the week after our VBS, from 10:00-12:00 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday. Will Devenish will be leading the team. If you’ve ever done VBS on a mission trip, that’s what this will be like: getting to know the kids, Bible lesson, crafts, recreation, and then a Korean lunch prepared by Pastor Ki Won’s wife, Sophia.
Contact me before May 21 (that’s my last day before going on sabbatical) if you are interested in being a part of this ministry opportunity.
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As school comes to a close in the next few weeks, you’ll notice some construction going on back by the Gym and the Playground.
Christ Covenant School is expanding the north side of the Gym to add another set of bleachers, as well as locker rooms underneath the bleachers. The additional bleachers will solve seating issues for both athletic events and whole school gatherings, and the locker rooms will provide space that has been long-needed.
The Gym and Playground will be closed for much of the summer, but the Gym will be available during the week of Vacation Bible School. Construction is scheduled to finish in August.
There will still be a covered area on the north side of the Gym, though part of it will be less wide in order to preserve Playground space.
I’m thankful for the ways that the expansion of our school’s ministry has contributed to our usable space, and how the school has participated financially in joint projects around our campus.
In addition to building the two high school buildings and participating in funding our new security fencing, over the past several years the school has paid for both of our playgrounds; for signage around the campus; for most of the TVs and Smart Boards you see on the walls and in the classrooms; for the new Maintenance Building behind our offices on 419 Northpark Dr.; for the expanded football field and Warrior Walk; and for the modular buildings in the Garden area.
They’re about to build new athletic fields across Northpark Dr. on the land they purchased from Colonial Heights. These fields will be accessible to us as well, when the school is not using them.
It’s humbling to watch the Lord continue to grow our footprint for ministry to the community and to our own saints through Christ Covenant School. Like all growth, sometimes it has some inconvenient seasons, but in the end I trust that the Lord will keep working through us for His glory, the edification of His people, and the salvation of the lost.