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I hear this question all the time and will admit that I also have asked this a few times but awhile back, someone pointed this out and I have yet to forget it. You see, in light of all that is going on around the world, there is a cold fear regarding the dark, nasty garbage that is so prevalent today and the media seems to be stoking the flames of this fear to keep society glued to their televisions and social media devices. Fear is a tool that, when used by the forces of evil, can keep so many bound up that they are paralyzed to live life to its fullest and best. Why does evil exist? Why does God allow evil? Why doesn’t God eliminate evil for good? Consider this, cold is the absence of heat. While we can define the lowest temperature as that point where there is no energy, movement of atoms ceases and temperature cannot go any lower there is no limit that we are aware of to the upper reaches of heat. At minus 273.15 degrees Celsius, absolute zero, the fundamental particles of nature reach their zero-point energy induced particle motion. So cold is a measurement of a lack of energy. Part two to this, darkness is considered by definition to be a lack of light energy. If there is any energy at all, be it particle movement that generates heat or light energy that provides a small spark in the darkness, then there is heat, there is light. With that said, think about this for a moment, evil is the absence of faith and love. You come across a person who has just been fired from their job and the boss has just torn them down another notch and someone who has a big heart comes by and lifts them up, dusts them off and helps them out, the actions of evil are displaced by the actions of love and compassion. A group of hardened criminals are in a hard place, locked up and considered outcasts by a society gather in the prison gym to listen to a singer with a message from God.  They fall to their knees because they hear the power of His message in their souls and cry out to God in worship and celebration. The energy is added and the darkness recedes. A stadium filled with those seeking reassurance and a break from the harshness of an evil world are embraced by the energy of the Holy Spirit while the preacher pours out a message of hope and love and a community is filled with the light energy of a loving Saviour. The evil one sucks the energy out of a nation so that darkness moves in, the coldness of his world pushes out the energy of love and faith and the chaos fills in the void that was once bursting with hope and joy. The devil wants to suck all the energy out of the lives of all so that he can claim victory but remember this, there is a limit to absolute zero and to absolute darkness but there is no end to the energy that is in Him. God did not create evil; it exists because we allow it to take hold. Embrace God’s power through the Holy Spirit and claim victory over the darkness through faith and love. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light and we come to the Father through Him, and one day there will be no more darkness, no more fear, no more evil. Evil does exist in the world but it holds no power because God is the power, the light and is infinite. The evil’s time is finite and the Light is coming. It is time to celebrate the Light for He is here! This Sunday, Eryn Austin-Bergen will bring the third message of Advent. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘World Gone Crazy - Turn to God’ Day 1: John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Day 2: Isaiah 26:3-4 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Day 3: John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Day 4: Colossians 1:12-14 – “...He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Day 5: Ephesians 5:8-10 – “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Day 6: Ephesians 6:12, 13 – “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Day 7: Philippians 4:8 – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

According to the National Post dated Nov 24, 2023 (Tristin Hopper), https://nationalpost.com/opinion/federal-commission-declares-christmas-holiday-is-religious-intolerance, “The Canadian Human Rights Commission, which wields broad quasi-judicial powers, argued that a day off on Christmas is 'discriminatory'... The Canadian Human Rights Commission — an agency with broad judicial powers that is fully funded by the federal government — has declared that the celebration of Christmas is evidence of Canada’s “colonialist” religious intolerance.” So, what does this mean for the average person in Canada? According to the article, Easter and Christmas should not be statutory holidays. You see they are based on colonialist religious intolerance and should be eliminated as they are not in keeping with inclusion of all as the other religions have to seek special permissions to get their days off. The article does go on and it quite interesting (I have included the link above) but, again I ask, what does this mean to the average citizen in Canada? It means that those statutory holidays would be rescinded, and it will either become another named statutory holiday or it will become just another day of the week. Happy holidays all. Here is another way to consider this push. The Christians of Canada would still celebrate the birth of the Saviour because the celebration of Christmas (Mass- the Holy Communion...of Christ) and of Easter, that is, the celebration of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection for us all, is more than a paid day off. These holiest of celebrations for the Christian community are above and beyond the laws of mankind and we, as a faith nation, would still celebrate regardless of the situation. But what I want to know is this, why is this agency so opposed to the celebration of the birth of the Prince of peace? The message is about loving those around us and spreading the joy of the season. The Easter message is not about bunnies that produce chocolate eggs but rather the fulfillment of the promise of salvation. Do we need a statutory holiday, a paid day off, to realize the birth and the sacrifice of the Messiah? "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:10 NIV Persecute the faithful and they will only grow stronger, try to remove the relevance of the two seasons and they will only dig in their heels and become stronger, eliminate the religious rights of the Christian nation and nothing will change because we know the true reason for the season. Here is the kicker, eliminate the statutory status of the holidays and those who appreciate the extra day off, the extra cash on the pay cheque will rise up and demand it reinstated. You cannot quench the Spirit, one can try but, in the end, He is greater than the machinations of humanity and His will shall prevail. So take away the the designation of a statutory holiday, make it another set of normal days on the calendar and leave it at that. Jesus was born over two thousand years ago, gave fully of Himself without concern for monetary rewards and died for us all so that we would not know death and was resurrected as proof that death had no hold on Him. This is what we celebrate and we can do that without the stat designation. This Sunday, Rev. Bob Hillock will bring the second message of Advent. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

We are located on the corner of Main Avenue and 3rd street in the wonderful little town of Sundre, Alberta. The community is nestled in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, and we are truly blessed by the beauty that surrounds us. While the location is spectacular, there are a couple of drawbacks to everyday life in the community. We are on the Cowboy Trail that was, and still is, a major route of travel for a variety of goods and services for the western province. It is a major oversize route for heavy, large loads, freight runs and, along with the numerous tourists that pass through, sees over 7 million vehicles traveling through each year. Where am I going with this? Consider this, there is one set of lights in the town on Main and Centre and the rest of the intersections on Main (aka Highway 27) were controlled by two way stop signs. Five years ago, we went to a series of three roundabouts for the road to allow better traffic flow but this fall, the province began the job of replacing the temporary roundabouts with permanent fixtures. This may not seem like much, but it is going to take a while and the intersections are now controlled by four way stops. I sit in my kitchen watching as hundreds of vehicles fly through the intersection without even acknowledging the signs. In fact, the other day, I was almost hit by a semi who was running the sign. So here is the point, as soon as the large orange fixture was replaced, the rules went out the window and it is now a free-for-all even though there are stop signs in place. One driver was heard to say, “if the sign was bigger, maybe we would be more likely to stop.” Life is that way as well. I was going to say it is getting that way but, in reality, it is there already. The scriptures warned us about times like this and, in the past, many people were respectful of the scriptural ways and of His word but today, they are turning their back on His wisdom and guidance. The yield signs and stop signs have, over the years, always been there to provide some sense of organization and boundaries that keep us safe today and well into the future. But people are choosing to ignore the wisdom of the warning signs and doing it their own way just like those who are running the stop signs in our town. The officers who are there to inform and, yes, ticket, the offenders of the law, are demeaned and chastised on many occasions and yet they are there for the safety of the travelers. Those of the faith family and the clergy are also chastised for being bible thumpers or the holier-than-thou crusaders but we are not there to judge but are simply trying to show a sign. “Why not make the signs bigger?” Here is my question, why not watch for the signs, accept the signs for what they are there for and respect the message they are communicating? Life is not about blaming others for the mistakes made but rather watching for the signs, using wisdom to discern the outcomes, should the signs be ignored, and taking appropriate action to avoid pain and suffering. God’s message is simple, Christ came to save all through His sacrifice and who claim Him as Lord and Saviour. The signs of what is to come are very large even though there are those out there who do not believe in the end times and push back, but the time is coming when those who do not want to yield to the signs will come to a sudden realization of the consequences. The signs are there, they are noticeable, and it is up to all to acknowledge and not ignore. This week, Rev Glenn Reeder brings the first message of the Advent. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Trusting God is Always Best’ Day 1: Psalm 118:8 – “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.” Day 2: Proverbs 29:25 – “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” Day 3: Psalm 37:3-5 – “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Day 4: Psalm 143:8-10 – “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Day 5: Psalm 56:3, 4 – “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Day 6: Psalm 31:14-16 – “But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, ‘You are my God!’ My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.” Day 7: Jeremiah 17:7, 8 – “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Oh Canada… Repent’ Day 1: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” Day 2: Proverbs 28:13 – “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Day 3: Isaiah 55:6, 7 – “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” Day 4: Joel 2:13 – “Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.” Day 5: James 4:8 – “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” Day 6: Zachariah 1:3 – “Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’” Day 7: Isaiah 43:5 – “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

My wife Natalie showed me a meme the other day that spoke directly to this article. It stated, “the devil knows your name but calls you by your sin, but God knows your sin but calls you by your name.” Consider this if you will, there was once a young man who was rather ordinary, and I do not mean this as an insult. In a crowd, he did not stand out, at work, he did his job satisfactorily and was neither a standout nor a cause of concern. He was as grey as grey could be in his job and his perceived private life. There was, however, a dark side that no one knew about, and his secret life was fully immersed in the dark web where he was a completely different person. His alternate identity was very different, and he was, in this space, a giant, delving into criminal activities. He could not stop even if he wanted to because he was so entrenched in the lifestyle but, like all things, it had to come to an end and the police force helped him to quit. Let us call this guy John. When he was caught, no one even thought he could be this person they were describing. John was definitely not going back to work after he was released from prison and the only job he would get was working as dishwasher at a local restaurant. He was tagged as a thief and scammer who could not, should not be trusted. What was not known to many was this; while he was in prison paying for his past transgressions, John found Jesus and he gave his life over to the Lord. He gave up his past ways and started a new venture when he was not working but it was an uphill battle. John was a convicted computer scammer and a thief in the eyes of the business leaders but to those he served, he was their knight in shining armor. You see, he started a small group composed of individuals who had a desire to help those who were susceptible to scammers, seniors, the less affluent and the lonely singles who were getting ripped off by false promises of love and travel. The church they met in embraced the ministry, the community was thankful for the blessing, and this group of servants were called by their names and not by their sins. I feel this passage talks to our lives as much as it did to the tribes of Israel. But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isa 43:1-3 NLT This week, Pastor Todd brings part two in the sermon series, No Longer A Slave To Sin. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

Carbon taxes, higher food prices, food banks not being able to keep up with demand, fuel prices make it tougher to get to work and the argument in the halls of government is all about money. Is anyone else besides me getting tired of it all? As I sit here writing this article, all I can think of is “what would Jesus do?” Go back in time when the Romans exacted a tax on the people for their “protection” and then the local rulers, the king and his people, would exact another tax. Combine this with municipal taxes, the temple taxes and the skim by the tax collectors and I dare say there would be much left to fuel up the donkey to get to work. Good thing most worked from home or in close proximity to their jobs. So, consider this, there are only two things that are certain, death and taxes. Levels of leadership will always try to get the most of everything they can from everyone but at some point in time they will either see the errors of their ways and back down or they will find themselves on the outside of the halls of leadership while another group rewards the common folk for their support by lowering the taxes. This is only temporary (review history), so why fear? Instead of fearing the taxman, prepare for the inevitable and rejoice when you are correct in your assumption and preparation. Same goes for fear of death. So many times, I have sat with people who are facing their last moments on earth, and they inform me they are scared. Going to get this out there right now, I am almost certain I will be fearful when it is my time and I do hope that someone will remind me that my Saviour is awaiting my arrival. You see, we are only human and tend to forget there is more to life than what we know on earth. When my time is up on this planet, there is still eternity awaiting where there is no more sorrow and no more pain. Love rules and chaos is no longer in the equation. I am no longer a slave to the fear of death because my Lord has made us all a promise that should eliminate our fear. "Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:1-7 NLT Thomas noted that he had no clue where Jesus was going, and Jesus made sure Thomas knew the full truth. There are a lot of people who are fearful because they are unaware of Christ’s promise. I am no longer a slave to the fear of death because I know there is something beyond the grave. My fear would be not knowing what the future holds if I did not have faith in Christ. This week, Pastor Todd returns with a sermon series on No Longer A Slave To Fear. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God Speaks to us Through…’ Day 1: Psalm 19:7-11 - His Word – “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.” Day 2: Hebrews 1:2, 3 - His Son – “And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” Day 3: John 16:13 - His Spirit – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” Day 4: Ephesians 4:11, 12 - His Leaders – “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Day 5: Hebrews 3:13 - His People – “You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.” Day 6: Romans 1:20 - His Creation – “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Day 7: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 - His Faithfulness – “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

For years, the fear of not making the most of life has really been a burden, a chain that bound me to a way of life where satisfaction could never be fully realized. There was a fear of never being good enough to measure up to those around me and also the fear of being left behind if I did not overachieve. I was a slave to doing everything I could to stand out and be recognized for raises and promotions. If the job required extra hours, count me in, if it needed more knowledge, there were always courses to take and if it needed more dedication to job than self, family, and friends, guess which one got the priority. Chained down to the American dream of wealth, power, and the good things in life. If those were not achieved, we were either not doing enough or trying hard enough to be considered a success in the eyes of our culture. I can honestly say that I am still somewhat trapped in that ideology because that was the way I was raised but I am trying to break free from more of the bonds every day. Bet you thought I was going to say that ever since I found Jesus, things drastically changed, and all the chains of bondage were broken but I cannot say that. You see, I still hold onto some of the old ways, but fear is no longer the master of my life, Christ is, and I find strength in Him. Focus has shifted, behaviours have changed, and continue to change. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. Heb 12:2-3 Msg The moment we realize that there is more to life, eternal life, than the finite measurements of this world, that is when we will truly break the bonds of this world and free ourselves from mortal bondage. Consider this, gold is a metal that mankind has given a value, and it is a measurement of wealth yet give a baby a rattle made of gold, and it is simply a toy. In heaven it is a paving stone, nothing more than a pretty covering for a path to be trod upon without a thought of being worth anything. The paper/plastic in our pockets is simply a representation of a wealth denomination and yet it can be wiped out with a simple declaration that it is worthless. It is my opinion that the greatest wealth one could be blessed with is a fabulous relationship with not only the Saviour but also with those all around me. You see, in Heaven there will be no need for finite measures of wealth but rather we will be amongst the greatest treasures, our Lord, our families and our friends. If we refocus on that which is truly important, we are no longer a slave to the finite but rather are set free to be blessed forever. For me, it takes time to completely release from the behaviours of the past but, in His strength, I/we can break completely free. This week, we welcome, once again, Craig Fisher who will share a message that God has placed on his heart. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 10:30 AM, at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God is our Peace’ Day 1: John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Day 2: Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Day 3: John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Day 4: Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Day 5: Romans 15:13 – “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Day 6: Philippians 4:7 – “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Day 7: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God’s Word is Life’ Day 1: 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” Day 2: Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Day 3: James 1:21 – “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” Day 4: Psalm 18:30 – “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Day 5: Philippians 2:14-16 – “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” Day 6: Colossians 3:16 – “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Day 7: Romans 15:4 – “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation