Dear Church Family,
I like aphorisms, slogans, sayings of all kinds. One of my favorite three-part sayings relates to our faith. Here it goes:
“Christianity is a venture, not an event, a process, not a point in time, a dash, not a dot.”
Anyway, I took a run through my neighborhood the other day — a new route around the Almaden Valley where I live. (Oh, you should know this: I think God speaks to me sometimes through street signs. OK, back to my story.) And I passed “Dash Court.” Immediately that maxim shot through my mind: “Darren, Christianity is a dash, not a dot.” I felt happy and encouraged as I bounded like a deer (a middle-aged deer) around Dash Court.
Then, I continued for a short distance and to my complete surprise and delight I passed “Dot Court.” Dash Court and Dot Court — Dash and Dot — only one-tenth of a mile apart from each other! Check it out on Google Maps. This had to be God’s Spirit reminding me of the joy-driven journey of faith and faithfulness. Of course, I didn’t run down Dot Court because I’m a Dash guy. Faith isn’t a one-time transaction, it’s an ongoing trek.
Well, on Sunday we’ll dash out of our current series and dash into our “Joy-Driven Journey” series that inspired 4X4 DISCIPLE, our eight-month discipleship experience that we’re exploring at Valley’s “Second Fridays.” We’re on letter “P.” Don’t worry if you don’t know what it stands for. I’ll remind you on Sunday.
Speaking of “Second Fridays,” don’t forget that we have our next one on Friday, July 14 at 6:00 PM. My friend Pastor John Bristol was going to come and teach the kids. He’s an amazing ventriloquist. Pastor John visited my home forty years ago when I was seven years old to pray with my family when my twin brother Dan was having eye surgery. He emailed me tonight to say that due to some heath issues related to his eyes, he won’t be able to come. Can we all please pray for Pastor John?
Back to this Sunday. We’ll spend significant time in 2 Peter 1. Here’s a challenge. Be the first one to answer both questions and earn a drink from Valley Church’s Cornerstone Cafe. Here are the questions:
- What does the word “excellence” in 2 Peter 1:3 ESV have in common with both uses of the word “virtue” in 2 Peter 1:5?
- What does the word “supplement” in 2 Peter 1:5 ESV have in common with the word “provided” in 2 Peter 1:11?
OK, speaking of dashing, it’s time to hit the rack.
My daughter Caroline turns 10 years old in exactly 10 minutes. She was born on July 9, 2017, and Becky and I praise God for her life.
Your brother in Christ,
Darren