From all accounts earlier in the week, the church service promised to be a real blessing. My husband and sons were ready to go, and all I needed was my pocketbook. A quick look inside revealed that my wallet was not in its usual place. I tried not to panic and began to search all the likely places I might have left it.
Stewart Lozensky, director of the Church Regeneration Department, is currently in the process of helping 20 churches reach their full potential. Regeneration is an initiative by the Pennsylvania Conference in which there is partnership with churches to provide extra resources, training and mentoring to advance the local churches’ growth objectives.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we are committed to the hope of Christ’s return, and we are passionate about sharing the everlasting gospel to as many people as we can.
There is a powerful truth that comes through this passage. For reasons not entirely clear, Peter had returned to fishing. In the days after the resurrection, he was an uncertain and insecure individual. What lay ahead, he didn’t know. In denial and cursing Jesus, Peter utterly failed when Jesus needed him most. He may have even thought that his sin and failure eliminated the possibility of ever being used by God again.
The day had been long. The boss was less than kind or fair, I felt. It had been so busy. I was tired and grumpy, feeling sorry for myself. Ungodly thoughts repeatedly raced through my mind, making me feel worse and worse. Have you ever experienced similar days?
As an accountant by profession, I have often counseled my clients, wherever appropriate, to prove God’s Word when it comes to finances. I know this also from personal experience.
Over the last few months, progress on the new conference headquarters happened quickly, with all walls framed by mid-September and sheet-rock placed the following weeks.
A few years ago, my house caught on fire. My family was at church when it happened, so luckily no one was injured. One of our friends, however, was living with us at the time.