No Greater Love

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.  ESV

John 15:13

"On Monday, rapidly rising water engulfed a car carrying Rice, his mother and his brother in the hard-hit town of Toowoomba. The torrent knocked over the first person who attempted to reach the stranded family.

A second man managed to reach the car, but when he tried to pull Jordan out, the teenager insisted his 10-year-old brother Blake be saved first. Jordan couldn't swim.

Before the rescuer, Warren McErlean, could return to the car, a rope he was clinging to snapped. The car flipped over and Jordan and his mother Donna were carried away by the floodwater. They both died."   -  CBSnews.com

This is why the story of Jesus is so amazing.  Anyone who hears of Jordan's courage and his love for his brother will certainly be inspired and emotionally moved.  If people are this touched by Jordan's willingness to lay down his life for his little brother.  How much more will people respond when they hear that someone actually gave his life for them?  The Bible says, Jesus died for us "while we were yet sinners."  Now that is love, and it is a love that can pierce even the hardest heart.  Sacrificial love is what Jesus is all about.  Share it with someone today.

aj

2011

Well, I'm beginning my fourth year at Riverview.  In fact, today is the official day. (January 2nd)  The time has zipped by at times, and some weeks crawled by like a snail on Benadryl.  No matter, I am sure of this fact though.  All of them were appointed and directed by God, and He used each experience to shape me and form me into the image of His Son, as well as refining me into the pastor I'm supposed to be.  The good news for me is - I survived this stage of ministry.  The not so good news is I'm sure there will be many more valleys...and mountains in my future.

I believe RBC is finally at a place where we can move forward.  The big transition is now an object in the sideview mirror that seems bigger than it actually is.  The church staff...including me, are all settled in, and the program and ministry structures of the church are basically in place.

The future is bright at RBC.  I'm glad you are a part of it.  God bless.  See you soon.

aj