from the desk of Isaac Dusenbury:
It’s hard to believe that more than a month has passed since my arrival as your new Associate Pastor. It’s even harder to believe that I already feel such a keen sense of community and belonging, thanks largely in part to Belin Memorial’s talented staff and loving congregation. All are buzzing with excitement as new leadership settles in, and surely I’m not alone in both my anticipation and optimism about the ways in which God will continue to bless this church. Let’s walk the path before us together, in unity with Christ and one another, that we might reach our true, transformative potential.
As I look back, it seems my current season of life has been characterized by intense prayerfulness. In other words, I’m praying now more than ever. There’s something about taking a first church appointment, moving to a different place, and having a pregnant spouse that moves one to fervent prayer. My praying has led me to consider more deeply the true nature and meaning of Christian prayer—prayer, that is, in the name of Jesus Christ.
I’ll be preaching on
Luke 11:1-13
this Sunday in The Sanctuary, and I recommend that you study this scripture over the weekend. This is an interesting occurrence in Luke’s Gospel as it shows how the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Perhaps some of us assume that we already know how to do that; we assume praying is one of the more basic, straightforward acts in the life of a Christian. Prayer, however, doesn’t seem to come so naturally to Jesus’ followers. They have be taught how to do it, as if there’s much more to prayer than meets the eye.
Before Sunday, I hope you’ll ask yourself the following three questions: 1) when praying, do I listen more than I speak? 2) Has my life ever been changed or transformed after praying? 3) Do I ask for forgiveness in the same manner that I forgive others? We’ll explore these questions more in worship together, but it’d be a fruitful endeavor to meditate on them and the scripture in the meantime. “Uh oh,” some of you might be saying, “the new pastor is giving us some homework!” I suppose that’s technically true. Perhaps it’s better to conceive all of this as an invitation for a more meaningful engagement not only with the scripture, but also with the sermon. I’m looking forward to our conversation.
Belin Memorial continues to be an exciting place with many happenings.
Creekfront Salkehatchie
, a weeklong mission project that serves homes and families in need, concludes this
Saturday, July 27
. I’ve had my own unique experiences with the Salkehatchie youth, considering my office is next door to the boy’s bathroom. Let’s just say that I hope their carpentry skills match their singing and beatboxing skills! I realize now that the walls of my office are rather thin. In all seriousness though, my fellow pastors and I have seen their amazing work firsthand. We should all feel proud for hosting these young disciples-in-the-making.
Young discipleship seems to be an overarching theme of the week. The
Middle School Mission Trip to Charlotte is July 25-28
, and the
High School Mission Trip to Charlotte will be from August 1-4
. Our own Walter Cantwell is out and about as well. Please pray from him and his family as they explore Germany for eleven days, returning the weekend of
August 2
. You’ll also not want to miss the ministry of
Charles Duke
, a native South Carolinian and former NASA astronaut, who will be speaking to our church in the
Family Life Center on July 29 at 7 PM
. We can undoubtedly expect an inspiring message.
Upwards and onwards, Belin Memorial. Thank you for all that you’ve done and all that you’re doing to make this such an incredibly special place. It remains an honor to be your pastor, and I continually pray that we’ll grow together in our love of God, neighbor, and each other. Carefully consider all that you’re praying for as well. After this Sunday, I’m hopeful that our understanding of prayer will be theologically broadened—broadened in such a way that we’ll hear afresh the will of God in our hearts and minds. Go in peace and serve the Lord!
Sincerely,
Isaac
