Sunday, September 21, 2025
Hello all, Melissa here. It’s been about 2 weeks since our last update. They say no news is good news, but in our case that’s not necessarily true. I’ve tried to hold space for Steven to post updates, but more often than not he doesn’t feel up to it. So I will try to be more faithful to do so when he can’t.
The last several weeks at church, the sermons have focused on the Bible. Is it true, can we rely on it, do we really know what it says, how does it apply to our lives now, etc. I absolutely believe that is it true, and I can rely on it. I know a lot of what it says, but so much is taken out of context lately. The application part is harder. To be honest, my Bible study right now is pretty much the verse of the day in the Bible app, and watching the guided scripture video and the prayer time. It’s hard not to feel like I’m not doing nearly enough to know the Bible and apply it to my life. I have questions. I have doubts. But I press on.
We started a sermon series today based on Genesis 2-3 called “Branching Out”. The discussion centered around “the myth of more” the purpose of pruning, and whether we are bearing good fruit or bad fruit. It’s interesting that Adam and Eve, even though they had everything they could want or need, were deceived into thinking they needed more. Isn’t that what the world wants us to think? If we had more time, more money, more stuff, more power, more health, more (insert empty promise), we’d be happy. Content. But are we?
A quote from Thomas Merton in the message today was this: “The hunger for more can become a haunting echo, drowning out the symphony of satisfaction that simplicity sings.”
Our house looks like a pharmacy and a paper factory exploded at the same time. So many medicine bottles, so many bills. And it can be overwhelming and discouraging, both mentally and physically. I feel so disorganized so much of the time. It seems so…complicated. Did I pay that bill? Do we have enough money to pay it? Am I forgetting something? There has to be a better way. Can I simplify?
Maybe less is more. Maybe it’s time for some pruning. What needs to be cut out, or simplified? Do I need to cut out my attitude, my doubt, my frantic need to control, to know what’s coming? Do I need to purge some of the stuff that clutters up my house (both physically and spiritually)? Am I flourishing today knowing that I have everything I need? How is my fruit?
Maybe this pruning can give simplicity room to grow, and allow contentment to flourish. Maybe this pruning will produce good fruit in me.
One of my favorite worship songs we did today is Highlands. The words speak to me so much in this season of life.
I will praise You on the mountain, and I will praise You when the mountain’s in my way. You’re the summit where my feet are, so I will praise You in the valleys all the same. No less God within the shadows, no less faithful when the night leads me astray, You’re the heaven where my heart is, in the highlands and the heartache all the same.
Whatever I walk through, wherever I am,
Your name can move mountains wherever I stand.
And if ever I walk through the valley of death,
I’ll sing through the shadows my song of ascent.
Philippians 3:13 says “…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 12 encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
So I’ll keep pushing forward, even when I’m tired, even when I’m overwhelmed. I’ll keep looking toward the One in whom I find my help and my hope. I’ll pray for renewed strength and start throwing off those things that are in my way. Your partnership with us through prayers, encouragement and support make all the difference when we are struggling.
Medically, Steven is still in a season of waiting. His labs haven’t been great lately, and we have an appointment with the oncologist this week. I don’t know if or when his treatment will be changing. But I will share any updates that we get.
Below are all our social media support links. Please continue to visit each page often for updates, share the links with others freely, and please leave comments. Steven recently added a Venmo option (which is quicker and doesn’t take a percentage from each gift). Your support is deeply appreciated.
Simply,
Melissa
