This has undoubtedly been a hard month

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

This undoubtedly has been a very hard month on an emotional level. First, there was the discovery that the remains found in a Minnesota farm field were indeed those of Jacob Wetterling, a young man who has gone missing for several decades now.

Then there was the news of the loss of our former and beloved Pastor Stephen Goold Finally, there was the news of the death of one of our friend's father. Just as you climb out of the pit of your stomach you fall again. Death has a way of doing that to us. It is the reason why we need a community of believers to be part of, and why we must never forget to fellowship as Hebrews 10:25 reminds us in this verse: 'Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

When the bible was written, it was written for us as a reminder that in this life we will have struggles and there will be hard and frightening times, but as we each cultivate our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will begin to sense his 'walking' alongside us- sometimes carrying us through the rough patches. In short, we need Jesus to shine the light on our path and we need each other and others need you to encourage them.

Pastor Steve has meant a lot to our family. His messages have lifted us in good and not so good times. From the national tragedy of 9/11 to each of our own personal 9/11 tragedies, his messages have lifted us up 'on eagles wings' and have given us the ability to soar with the hope found in Jesus.

Sure, death stings, but as we learn to process the emotions of our loss we will in time begin to see the hope that is in Christ, and a little glimpse of what our loved one is experiencing in heaven