Weekly Uplook September 24

Dear Seattle Saints,
Greetings from the Philippines.  Lori and I arrived safely after a connection in Japan and are now staying near the HQ church in the small town of Bagong Sikat.  Filipino funeral customs are a bit different that we are used to with a vigil/wake service for several nights before the final funeral and interment.  These services are held in the church much as we would hold a funeral with music, eulogies, and a sermon.  They will continue through Tuesday night and then I am tasked with preaching the final funeral service on Wednesday morning before a trek to the cemetery.  Thanks so much for your prayers for us, the Ruiz Family, and the saints in the Philippines.   In between things I am meeting with Board members and pastors trying to discern God’s plan for the future leadership of the work here.  

Last evening one of our Filipino pastors spoke about how to live an abundant life. He used the acronym LIVE explaining that the L represents our limited time here on earth.  I represents our need to invest that limited time wisely in the things of God and His kingdom.  V represents the victory which can be ours when we invest our limited time in this manner and finally, E represents the eternal hope which is offered to all and a natural out flowing of investing our limited time here in victorious living within Christ’s kingdom.  

May we each remember that life is short and our choices here can affect eternity.  God bless you all.  We will be praying for the Sunday meetings in Seattle and trust you will remember us as well in your prayers.  

Blessings,
BB

Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor