There are things I love and don't love about starting the new school year.  I don't like to see summer come to a close -- there's a relaxation to summer that I don't feel any other time of year and I don't look forward to the hecticness of the fall.  And yet, at the same time, there's an excitement about starting new things - and at Potomac Hills we're starting a number of new things this fall.  This month we're starting up the Women's Bible Studies and Joy Groups.  In the middle of the month we'll be kicking off six new Community Groups (have you signed up yet?).  There's new Sunday School classes beginning, and the adults will be opening up the Gospel of Luke.  And there will be a new sermons series as well where we will dive into one of the longest and most difficult books in the Old Testament.

This Sunday we'll begin studying the Book of Jeremiah.  This fall, we'll get to see the changing colors of the trees ... and the raking of the leaves.  And like the fall, Jeremiah is filled with things to love and things not to love.  God makes it clear that He loves His people, but He doesn't love their idolatry.  And so there's this back and forth flow to the book that shows us first, that idolatry leads to judgment, but second, that repentance leads to restoration.  God repeatedly tells His people that if they keep doing the things He doesn't love, then judgment is inevitable.  However, if they return to the Lord and start doing the things that He does love, He will restore them (and their land, or nation) with great joy. 

We've gone from a short book (James) to a very long book.  We've gone from an intensely practical book focused on our actions to an intensely personal book focused on our attitudes.  It's a little disconcerting to read Jeremiah because very quickly you discover that the main character is neither the people nor the prophet Himself, but rather "The Word of the Lord."  I've entitled this series, "Faithful Living in a Fallen World" because Jeremiah is filled with messages from God exhorting us to faithful living, while being realistic about the state of the world we live in.  Even though it took place over 2,600 years ago, Jeremiah is remarkably current.  The great Christian Apologist, Francis Schaeffer, once wrote that "Jeremiah provides us with an extended study on an era like our own, where men have turned away from God and society has become post-Christian."  Jeremiah was an ancient prophet for a modern time.  Spending time with this prophet will be both challenging and consoling, convicting and comforting.  And in the end, it should build our faith and give us hope, both of which we desperately need.  See you Sunday.  Dr. Dave


* Faithful living is best done in the context of faithful friends who support and pray for you.  Community Groups are a great place for that to happen.  I encourage you to sign up on Realm today!

** Also, we'll have our second training session on the upcoming changes to Children's Church this Sunday.  We are working to improve the experience for everyone.  I hope you'll make the commitment to attend and serve our children.