Study to present yourself to God as one approved. A workman that does not need to be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Every year in May/June, I like to offer a "Summer Book Study." In the past, I have offered studies in J.I. Packer's "Knowing God," John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," A.W. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God," and C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters," to name a few. The study is informal, basically just reading the book in sections and then gathering together once a week to discuss what we've read and learned. There's not much to it, yet I've enjoyed it immensely. We have an early call time, 6:30 a.m., so that those who work can be a part of the study and still make it to their place of employment on time. I try to dismiss us somewhere between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m., but those who need to leave can do so at any time during our study.

I offer the study because it is a small way of sharing my joy in reading and also to introduce you to some books that I consider Christian classics that you may not have had a chance to read, or at least not in a way that draws out the meat and marrow of the book. The format is question and answer, and there are ample opportunities to both ask questions and share your own findings from your reading. It's a wonderful way of tapping into the wisdom of others to help us grow in our own understanding, not only of a good book, but of our shared faith as well.

This year, we'll turn to a new author in our summer series, Dr. D.A. Carson, and his book entitled The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God. It is a short read (only 83 pages) but packed tightly with some solid insights into the nature of God’s love. The reading will not be extensive, probably a half-hour’s worth per week, but I think it lends itself very nicely to observations and is challenging enough to give us much to discuss. We'll begin our study on Thursday, May 28, and continue each Thursday for four weeks through June 18. We meet in rooms 102-103 here at the church. If you can possibly get away for one hour per week, I think you'll find it enjoyable. I always do. Books are available at Amazon for $11 or from your favorite book seller. If you order soon, used copies can be found on Amazon for about $5.

Spring is in the air, and most of our lives are going to get busier than normal for the next few months. Don't let that keep you from regular times with the Lord. His faithfulness remains steady to us even in the busiest of times, and his mercies are new every morning!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym