Blog: Forest Lake Talks

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. How do God’s power, self-discipline and love go together? How might they go together for disciples of Jesus Christ? Loving requires intentionality, effort, practice, God’s power and our self-discipline. How do you see these three things working together in your life and faith community? Where do you need most to practice self-discipline in order to be more loving? God of power and might, we often lack self-discipline and fail to love as we…

Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. Psalm  23:6 (CEB Translation) Dear Friends, Your Staff and the leadership of our congregation have been working hard to adapt to daily change and uncertainty.  And, as your pastor, I have tried to take seriously our need to keep the church community going, care for our members and guests, and also to help our staff feel secure and balance family needs (especially for those who must now care for school aged children who…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor 1 JOHN 4:18-19 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. We love because God first loved us. Use this verse as a breath prayer throughout the day. Breathe in “we love,” and breathe out “because God first love us.” As you find yourself stressed or distracted, breathe in “I love,” and breathe out “because God first loved me.” Pay attention to how this practice impacts…

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 These days can be challenging as we watch the news or hear of friends and family who may be ill. It is hard to live into a world of ‘social distancing’ when it’s the norm to greet one another with a handshake or hug. So how do we live into this “New Normal” and maintain our Walking in the Way of Jesus as God’s loving community? First, I usually tell the children as we begin a lesson, to pause and BREATHE. Take a…

In this ode to kindness, bravery, and being yourself, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts gang encourage young and old fans to look inside and discover that caring and courage are contagious! Read by Jodi Beckham Be Brave, Be Kind, Be You

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PSALM 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? What are your greatest fears? List them and then pray through the list. Picture God’s light surrounding each one. Remember that God knows them already and right now is present, offering you strength and working for good. Can you turn one of those fears over to God’s care just for today? Heavenly Father, our fears threaten to overtake us. We fear for the state…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor ISAIAH 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. How often do we think about what it means that God is our salvation? From what and for what are we saved? Salvation is one of those churchy words that we often use without considering what it means or why it matters. What difference does it make to you that you have been saved by God? God who saves us, who is our strength…

Authors Lawrence and Karen Kushner tackle three big questions in this discussion-starter of a book: Where is God? What does God look like? How does God make things happen? Read by Ms. Andrea Because Nothing Looks Like God

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor MATTHEW 18:12-14 Do you worry? Doesn’t everyone worry? Many of us find ourselves ruminating over issues we cannot control, scenarios that may or may not happen, things that really don’t deserve the energy we’re investing in them. No matter that intellectually we know that our worry resolves nothing, helps not at all and distresses us, we find we cannot get our minds to stop running on that mental treadmill. This beautiful text poetically nudges us to let go of all that keeps us up at night and makes us anxious. Let’s be clear, however,…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 Consolation is not a word we use much anymore, short of describing a secondtier prize. In this verse we are told that God consoles us, enabling us to console others. Think about who and what brings you comfort. How does your faith bring consolation? How can you console someone today? God, when we are afflicted, disappointed and reeling from loss, you console, comfort and care for us. That consolation comes in the form of people, prayer and moments of the peace that passes understanding. May the relief of your grace prompt…

We are experimenting with lots of ways to connect with God and each other without putting our health at risk. Click here to see the latest schedule, and please bookmark this page!

Good morning. The church office has received several questions and ideas from our members with one persistent theme: How can I help? WACH Fox 57 gives ideas on how to help seniors. Check out Harvest Hope’s Twitter for immediate needs and updates. Give blood. These are just a few ideas. Hope to see you (virtually) soon. Ed

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor LUKE 12:7 This is one of those verses that feels like hyperbole — every hair on our heads counted by God, really? What if, for today, you carried this possibility with you? What if you imagined today that God knows and values everything about you and about everyone you encounter? Notice how this impacts your perception of yourself and others. Lord of all, aren’t you too busy to pay attention to every detail of our lives? It is all but impossible for us to believe that we, and every creature, are that important to…

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, NRSV: So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Forest Lake participated in a conference call yesterday with various community leaders to discuss the needs within our community and how we can all work through this together. Conservationism of necessities and creative ways to reach out to our neighbors in need were the topics most mentioned. I think we can combine these two items, and it’s not even that creative. My house needed a few things this morning, so I drove over to the Forest Drive Walmart…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor MATTHEW 5:3-8 Blessed. What does that word mean to you? We may hear “God, bless you” after we sneeze or, in certain regions of the country, “Bless your heart.” Sayings like “too blessed to be stressed” are emblazoned on T-shirts and throw pillows, but in light of this text, what does it really mean to be blessed? You, God, bless us, with your power to not only be present but to transform our most painful circumstances. Being blessed does not render us immune from suffering. Being blessed offers us a sliver of light through…