But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Looking back over this week I see several posts that burrow deep, addressing theology, two thousand sixteen’s contentious election, and this journey that is life.
So this morning I’m going to post five photos, and let everyone rest their weary brains for a moment.
The first came across my desk a few days ago. It was taken during the summer of 1982, the day we presented our infant son, Andrew, for baptism. “Do not fear,” God says, “for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
the adventure continues:
I can’t help but juxtapose that classic photograph with this more recent image, showing how that tiny, opinionated, beautiful baby was just the beginning of the still growing adventure that is the Rebekah and Derek family.
Rebekah and I were so young, and so full with dreams for the future. Well, today I’m here to say that in 1982 we didn’t have much more than the vaguest clue regarding the extent of God’s amazing plans for our future. Dreams have morphed into vision, vision morphed into promise, and today – three and a half decades later – we are filled with more hope, more promise, and more anticipation than ever before. Because we have seen what “I have called you by name” really means, and now we know that anything is possible.
Extended family:
This next image gives a shout out to my auntie Dorothea and uncle John, who live in Hove on the south coast of England. They flew in to RDU for a nine-day visit to see my parents (Dorothea is dad’s youngest sister, and my parents’ only surviving sibling).
It was good to show some more of our English family a few glimpses of the North Carolina we have grown to love so much. And, more importantly, to introduce them to our faith community at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church.
This Sunday – tomorrow – is World Communion Sunday. Dorothea will be at the Lord’s table in British Columbia, with John’s extended family. My cousins will be taking the bread and the wine in England, and France. Andrew and Alicia (our son and his wife) will be serving one another the elements in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Rebekah and I will break bread with our church family here in Wake Forest.
People all over the world will say, “Peace to you, this is the body of Christ, broken for us so we may all be one….”
Koinonia and great food:
This entire post has been about celebrating community. So this closing photograph is taken from the dinner we shared Friday evening, with our friends Trish, David, Kathy, and George.
Trish prepared an amazing Baked Pasta with Butternut Squash, Sausage & Ricotta casserole, served along with more good things than we could possibly imagine. But the point was the koinonia, the fellowship, the friendship, the unity in Christ, the love.
And that’s the good news as it comes from Wake Forest for today, where fall is finally coming, where our lives are rich and full, and where we still have so much promise and possibility to live into – DEREK
So glad my uncle David Grace, my mum Dorothea and John, had time together. I like your post Derek about communion, ‘Common union’ with others in Christ, is something deep with benefits to put all differences away, forgive all grievances, as Christ dwells in us. He is reconciling in this. In this way we can only gain the possibility of blessing that comes through each others fellowship, thoughts, and actions! Gods covenant of love, is manifest and known among us?! Love and blessings
Ruth
Good words, Ruth!