Pastor’s Message – September 20, 2022

What’s Bringing Us Joy in September

Every month I like to take a moment and share what I’ve been reading, watching, or listening to that has brought me joy over the past month. This month I’m sharing not recent releases but rather some gems from years past.

Hell or High Water (movie): One of you church members recommended this 2016 modern western to me a while back, and it had been on my ‘to watch’ list for a while. I finally watched it over the weekend and loved it. It is a bit violent, and language is rough, but what a story about two brothers who are amateur bank robbers and the two rangers in pursuit of them. If you have seen this film, let me know, as it is one I want to talk about at length!

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (book): Published in 2001, I picked up this novel to read on a flight to Minnesota back in 2011. Little did I know that the story was set in Minnesota—in the region I was visiting! This is a slow and quiet story with some of the best writing I’ve ever seen. A friend of mine once said she read the first pages of it in her Easter sermon one year, and I can see why. It is full of hope, resurrection, and miracles.

A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band by Rich Mullins (music): Singer-songwriter Rich Mullins, whom I quote all the time, died 25 years ago this week in a car accident. His music is indeed his ‘legacy,’ and this album released in 1993 is the one I’ve been drawn back to recently. The song that is probably best known on it is, “Hold Me Jesus,” and the bridge says this: “Surrender don’t come natural to me. I’d rather fight You for something I don’t really want than to take what you give that I need.” What a prayer, and what a piece of art this is.

I’d love to hear what’s bring you joy this month and in years past!
all good things to each of you,
Dr. Darian

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