​“My Cup of Blessing”

“Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future.” (Psalm 16:5 CSB) Recently I asked our Saturday Night Worship service what Scripture verses they had memorized this year.  Then I asked myself the same question. A few days later, in my quiet time, I came across Psalm 16:5 in the Christian Standard Bible-Spurgeon edition.  Wow!

I love Psalm 16 already, particularly verse 11, but I had never read it in this translation.  Please unpack it with me. “Lord, you are my portion”, the Lord is everything we need, isn’t He? He gives us exactly what we need in this life, nothing less.  He supplies all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!  “And my cup of blessing”, He calls me into His presence daily and bids me drink from His cup of blessing.  As verse 11 says, He makes known to me the path of life, in His presence is fulness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forevermore.  “You hold my future”, I don’t have to stress over what may come into my life for He holds each and every day to come! Yup, I memorized it that day😊.

September Happenings: The first two Sundays of September we had the blessing of sharing in the Tin Cup and Pitkin churches. On the 11th our son-in-law Stephen was installed as a pastor in London, and we joined them by zoom.  On the 20th I performed the wedding of one of my ski students in a beautiful setting above Crested Butte.  On the 21nd we flew to Dallas to begin a two-week ministry trip. 

The trip began with a drive to Gulfport MS where we had a wonderful time with several armed forces veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.  We sang, prayed, and shared God’s word.  What faithful men and women they are, sharing their faith and helping us distribute 1st Responder Bibles and devotionals. The next day we drove to Jackson MS where we had lunch with Diane Johnston (Life for Little Lambs-inner-city preschool ministry) and Levi Gill (Hope Exchange, inner-city discipleship, and life skills training), both are “alumni” of our ministry. Saturday night the 24th I spoke at a “Blessing of the Hunt” dinner at Hebron Baptist Church near Bentonia MS. Then, Sunday through Wednesday we led 5 services.  Wonderful times of worship and the Word, of laughter and prayer! The Holy Spirit moved!!

Thursday, we drove to College Station TX. Friday, we spoke at a luncheon for Texas A&M professors, graduate students, and guests.  How exciting to see how the Lord is using these godly professors! After the luncheon we drove to Georgetown TX to spend the evening with Dr. Walter Bradley.  Walter has taught at Colorado School of Mines, Texas A&M, and Baylor. Even in his retirement, he and Ann are holding meetings in their retirement home.

On our last night in Texas, Sunday Oct 2, we met with friends and supporters for dinner, fellowship, and a ministry update.  The following morning, we met with another “alumni”, Aaron Taylor who has served in Haiti, CA and now Texas.

As I write this, Melva and I are on a plane, having returned the rental car after 2,300 miles. Your prayers have carried us through 7 services, with many opportunities to share His glorious gospel. Thank You!

Family: Stephen and Joy (Hannah and Bethan) are gradually settling into Stephen’s first pastorate in London.  Rebekah and Nick (Kailani) are taking a vacation and then back to Edwards and their restaurant. Steve and Annie (Samuel and Abigail) are staying busy in LA with Steve freelancing video work and Annie teaching. Tim and Sara (Elizabeth and Sydney) are still unpacking boxes as they move into their new home.  

Finances: September was a special month as once again you were used of God to bless many! Because of a special gift we received, we were able to send out extra support to 30 “alumni” missionaries, pastors of small churches, widows of missionaries, and more! One missionary widow wrote that our gift enabled her to pay her property taxes, the pastor of a small church responded that it really helped he and his wife as they had just adopted another child.  You are making a difference!

1st Responder New Testaments and Devotionals: Our publisher received more firefighter New Testaments and immediately sent several hundred copies to chaplains and firefighters who have requested them through us! Yeaaaaa Jesus!

Prayer requests: 1. “And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” *. 2. Please pray for Verdell and Richard whose spouses are dealing with medical issues. 3. Please pray that each person we shared with will draw nearer to Jesus, and that each New Testament and devotional will be used of the Savior. *(Ephesians 6:19)

Thank you and may the Lord Jesus be your “portion and cup of blessing”!

Rick and Melva