The song Sam sang during the offertory, ‘Rise Up’ was from an album by Ben Shive. The whole disc it is taken from is worth checking out, you can read more about it here:
Charles Spurgeon on God’s purposes in our sufferings:
I am afraid that all the grace that I have got from comfortable and easy times might almost lie upon a penny. But the good that I have received from my sorrows and pains and griefs is altogether incalculable. Affliction is the best furniture in my rooms and suffering is the best book in my library.
Yesterday I was at Starbucks. The person I was with ordered a pumpkin spice latte. That is the stupidest, nastiest, lamest coffee drink EVER.
The RBC elders are spending a day away this weekend praying and planning for the future. I would really appreciate your prayers for us. Ask the Lord to give us faith, hope and love. Pray that we would lead with wisdom and boldness while always walking in humility and holiness.