Precious...

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." -Psalm 116:15


I (Will) intended to write something yesterday and just couldn't get my head straight. I found solace in reading God's Word (in particular Psalm 69) and spent most of the day as many of you - deep in thoughts of my Saviour and His Ways. This morning I received the news that one of my high school teachers had died last week. 1st Sgt. John Pereira was the Assistant Naval Science Instructor for my NJROTC unit. Not only did he have an amazing story regarding his service in Vietnam (two tours) but he was a Christian and wasn't ashamed of it. He never pushed it on any of us but it was clear that Christ was central to his life and it showed in his actions. What I have learned of honor, integrity and patriotism comes largely from this one man.

So while I find myself wanting to comment on the events of the last forty-eight hours I share this instead:

People often ask us how the store is doing. We all (us included) want the answer to be something along the lines of  "Everything has been so fantastic! God provides every step of the way and we're doing great!" but the fact is the finances are tight - and that's a polite understatement. We're finding ourselves passing on bills and there's been more than one occasion where we've lost phone service because of delinquent payments. Some days we don't have any paying customers at all, though one or two people seem to make it in every day just to see how things are going. Word is spreading about us but frankly it's slower than we thought it would be.

Now don't think God hasn't been busy - we could tell you stories that would bring tears and shouts of joy all at once - that much is clear. We always thought God would let us in on His plan for the store at some point, but thus far He seems content to teach us what the meaning of complete dependence on Him daily really is. We rejoice in the Author of Matthew 6:25 and Phillipians 4:19 and Psalm 37:25. We know He is faithful, and He will never leave us nor forsake us, and in the end it's not about us or anything we can accomplish. We are confident He will complete His good work in us, and that His thoughts towards us are of peace and not evil. Jaffrey Bible House is about His Word in His store for His people and His purposes - and that's a very comforting thought indeed!

~JBH

"Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." -Revelation 7:12