Highland, Let's Hold to our Post.

Part of my devotion:

“Wisdom calls out in the street;
she raises her voice in the public squares.
She cries out above the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
“How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance?
How long will you mockers enjoy mocking
and you fools hate knowledge?
If you respond to my warning,
then I will pour out my spirit on you
and teach you my words.”

— Proverbs 1:20-23

My prayer for us, Highland:

Highland, let us continue to be heralds of the only good news our streets will ever hear - “Jesus saves sinners.” May we speak, with a gentle compassion in our voices, the piercing, eternal truths of God’s Word. Holy Spirit, invade and interrupt the commotion of our striving-streets. Cause a stillness to fall upon our busyness, allowing us to listen to Your voice and respond in repentance, humility and gratitude for Jesus’ salvation.

Rob

Spurgeon on Shepherding.

Here’s Spurgeon on what the role of pastoring entails. Praying that I give off this flavor, as the Holy Spirit continues to mature and season my life:

“Let us ask for wisdom and discretion in doing that which is right. Firmness of purpose should be adorned with gentleness of manner in carrying it out.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Rob

Reflecting Behind; Looking Ahead.

Highland,

As we journey into 2020, I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes from my favorite author.

A fitting phrase:

“At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future; yet anxiety is apt to arise from remembering the yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace is apt to be checked by the memory of yesterday’s sin and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays; He allows the memory of them in order to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. God reminds us of the past to keep us from getting into a shallow security in the present.”

— Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest", Dec 31, Pg 861

I love you, Highland! I look forward to another decade with you.

For He, Jesus alone, is worthy!

Happy New Year,

Rob

Bear Your Fruits of Justice.

My devotion today:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are dispossessed.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

— Proverbs 31:8-9

My prayer for us, Highland:

Holy Spirit, under Your counsel, may we, Highland, continue to bring Your Word to life. With discernment and dignity, may You bear repentant-flavored fruit; enduring fruit, from Highland’s branches.

Rob

Motivated by Mercy.

I am reading Spurgeon’s Treasury of David today. Specifically, I am reading his commentary on Psalm 25, which I read part of during service yesterday.

Verse:

“Who is the man who fears the Lord?
He will show him the way he should choose.”

— Psalm 25:12

Love this statement:

“Where God sanctifies the heart, He enlightens the head. We all wish to choose our own way; but what mercy it is when the Lord directs that choice and makes free will to be good will!”

— Charles Spurgeon - Treasury of David, the 25th Psalm

Highland, here’s my prayer for us:

Lord, may those who encounter us, the Highland-Tribe, meet Your mercy. May we, as a clan of Your kingdom, be motivated by your mercy in such a way that the worst of sinners would be greeted by goodwill, leading them to encounter the conviction and kindness of Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, produce a result of repentance and revival in every one of these moments! You alone are able!

May we, the Highland-Tribe, have such a solid grip on the meaning of the Gospel, that, by default, mercy would triumph over judgment in us (James 2:12-13).

“Speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of freedom. For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

— James 2:12-13

Rob

Carrie & Rob's Gift From Hayley!

‘To all who are weary…’

Thanks, Pierce Chapel!

Robert Singleton Preaches This Sunday.

“When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.”

— Matthew 9:36

This Sunday, Robert Singleton will be taking the pulpit. He will speak to us about showing compassion to those who are hurting, deceived and sinful.

Let Your Glory Dwell Among Us, Lord.

Part of my devotion today:

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth - a stranger, not your own lips.”

— Proverbs 27:2

My prayer:

“Lord, keep Highland from building her own reputation. Rather, take hold of us, Lord, like a pen in hand, and write a testimony unto Your glory. Let our name be consumed by Your name. May those who look upon Highland Community Church see a dwelling-place of your glory.”

Rob

Merry Christmas, Highland Family!

Our Annual North Pole Breakfast

Highland Family,

Our love and appreciation for you only deepens as the years continue to go by. What the Lord has brought to life at Highland is unique and set apart, all for His purposes and glory. I consider it an honor to be part of the Highland family and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for us, as His Highland Tribe.

We hope that your Christmas is warm and bright this season. Together, let us rejoice that Jesus offers us an enduring mercy and a ‘hope that does not disappoint’ (Romans 5). I hope that we can all adore and take delight in Him, for offering us Himself and imparting to us an unfailing love, which is the theme we find at the heart of Christmas.

May we all, with repentant and grateful hearts, be at rest in the light of His presence.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

We love you,

The Strickland Clan