MIDWEEK MESSAGE 79<\/p>\n
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Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #79.\u00a0 Fall Break is over for most schools and \u201cback to the old grind\u201d is the moniker.\u00a0 Many of you took off for a well-deserved time away. I hope you were able to get some sanity back.<\/p>\n
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Some of you are old enough remember records. Vinyl albums. After being sent into oblivion with the onset of 8-track tapes (well\u2026we can bypass those monstrosities); cassette tapes; CDs; and now digital music, they are making a comeback. There was a saying used during the time of records: \u201cyou sound like a broken record.\u201d I know exactly what they meant. I had records that got scratched and the needles would just repeat that word over and over.\u00a0 I will warn you ahead of time that I will sound like a broken record by the time I am done because I want to talk about the 17th<\/sup> Anniversary of OVCF coming up this Sunday. At the risk of shutting you down as you read this, please let me give the details to you one more time (with some additional information).\u00a0 Drum roll please:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We do have some \u201cloose ends\u201d to tie up that you can help us with.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most of all, bring an open heart to worship and to express gratitude to God for His marvelous work in and through OVCF these past 17 years. \u00a0I can\u2019t wait to share this Sunday with you!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019d like to share the following thought with you today. Maybe someone needs it:<\/p>\n Bone-tired. Weary beyond belief. Asleep on his feet. Those are just some of the phrases we might use to describe how we feel. I’ve been there. So tired I can barely think. So weary it is an effort to pick my feet up and put one foot down in front of another.<\/p>\n I’ve been there spiritually as well. The battles have been intense. The days long, the nights short. The arm wielding the sword hanging by my side. The helmet askew; the head bowed in weariness, and yes, even defeat. The armor stripped off because I am just too wiped out to wear it. The shoes too heavy for my feet.<\/p>\n But from out of nowhere comes a second wind. As Petra sang it so many years ago: “I got my second wind\/The Spirit is moving again.” Isaiah 40:28-31 has just happened!<\/p>\n Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives strength to the weary, And to the one who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”\u00a0<\/strong> (NASB2020)<\/p>\n The end of myself became the beginning of Him. \u00a0The end of my strength became the beginning of His.<\/p>\n Physical. Mental. Spiritual. Weariness touches us all.\u00a0 But so does the energy of the Spirit. I find myself rejuvenated.<\/p>\n Physically- the weariness gives way to intentional movement.<\/p>\n Mentally- a clarity comes that assesses situations and knows how to act.<\/p>\n Spiritually- The “light goes on” and a fresh wind blows through.<\/p>\n God’s Word is once again true: “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” <\/strong><\/p>\n Have a great rest of the week. See you Sunday! I love you all.<\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE 79 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #79.\u00a0 Fall Break is over for most schools and \u201cback to the old grind\u201d is the moniker.\u00a0 Many of you took off for a well-deserved time away. I hope you were able to get some sanity back. Some of you are old enough remember … <\/p>\n\n
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