We have been blessed with beautiful weather, warm sunshine, and greenery all around us. Now that school is officially done for the summer, many of our Bronte families are taking some time off and heading to various destinations for summer adventures – be it flying around the world to experience new cultures, going on road trips to explore the path less travelled, or spending some time camping locally in God’s nature. As we travel, let us remember who is guarding our paths. Psalm 121:7-8 says, “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” May our Father continue to grant us travelling mercies as we come and go during this exciting time of the year. Blessings to all for a safe summer vacation.

Do you ever wonder why we come to church? We may come for many reasons, like the social network, the fellowship, the music, even the food! However, hopefully, we are coming because of the teaching of the Word and, above all, to worship! It’s a call to worship! What’s your calling in life? What are we called to do for God? We are called to serve Him. In whatever way, capacity, or corner, we can represent Him. Oswald Chambers writes, “God did not direct His call to Isaiah — Isaiah overheard God saying, ‘… who will go for us?’ The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.” Our attitude towards God is in direct proportion to the condition of our heart. God calls us to be the best in what we find ourselves to do (Eccl. 9:10). Martin Luther King says it quite aptly, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job.’” So, what will you do? What’s your calling today? Where will you serve God?

Summer is just around the corner and we certainly appreciate the good weather. This season makes us feel happy, warm, and perhaps energized to get up and get going. However, for some the season may indicate a desire to get things done but may feel inert, incapable, and incapacitated. Have you ever felt that way? Have you felt that you want to do something but can’t seem to find the power to accomplish it? Have you felt setback by circumstances, hindered by the past and hampered by life? Have you ever met someone who is a chronic complainer, a non-stop whiner, and perennial pessimist? I heard someone once remark, “If I had a penny for every time someone said to me ‘You don’t know my circumstances’ I would be able to pay for my dream trip to Bora Bora.” You’re not alone! Many people feel that life has dealt them a bad hand and may blame themselves or others for their present situation. However, God reminds us that “with men this is impossible, but with Him, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). God can take your worst and make it better or turn circumstances around so that obstacles become opportunities. I heard a quote that read, “God never gives you a dream that matches your budget; He’s not checking your bank account, He’s checking your faith!” So what do you have to give? What’s holding you back? Stop sitting around – rise up and walk by faith!

If anytime during the past month you flipped through TV channels, scanned the radio, or even took a step outside, no doubt you know what this big day is… the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It is the talk of the town as we are being bombarded with all the latest news. Chances are then, that you’ve also heard or read that the father of the bride unfortunately couldn’t be there. Imagine what disappointment that would be; most little girls’ dreams are to have the perfect wedding, and certainly, that also includes being walked down the aisle by “daddy”, who, in this case, announced this past week he wouldn’t be in attendance. As Christians, aren’t we blessed to have hope that even though sometimes our earthly father (or others in our life!) may let us down, Our Heavenly Father never will?! For all the successes we have – be it that walk down the aisle, as we graduate from school, or when we tackle a new job – our Father was right there beside us, cheering us on; and for the times when we aren’t shining our brightest – maybe when we lose a loved one, when diagnosed with an illness, or when feeling lost or alone – He’s there never failing to hold us up. Though humans may fail us sometimes, our Creator never will! Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” What a promise this is, one that we should cling to and remember, in good times and bad!