Sunday, May 25:
Our preacher stepped down from his place as senior minister for HOCC today. It was a blow to everyone, as not many people saw this action coming. While I am saddened by this event, I fear for the righteousness of our church in the approaching weeks and months. We can't wake up from this terrible dream, so we have to figure out how to move forward. I pray there will not be grudges held, rumors flying, and gossip running rampit. I ask God that He will help each member of HOCC to keep a pure heart and our eyes on Him through this extremely tough battle.
The following passage is one I found in Psalm. I added my thoughts on the stanzas of this prayer David wrote to the Lord.

Psalm 11

In the Lord I take refuge

How then can you say to me:

Flee like a bird to your mountain.

The people of the Lord, those who attend HOCC, want to run and hide from this tough situation that has been presented to us. Some want to hide under the wing on the Lord, some want to hide from the Lord.

For Look, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrows against the strings

to shoot from the shadows

at the upright heart.

The arrows are like words spoken without thought to whom it might hurt. Who will be affected by the rumors and gossip of each syllable spoken from lips of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Just as a poison arrow pierces the skin, an angry accusative word pierces the heart. The poison of the arrow kills the human, the poison of words kill the spirit.

I warn you: be careful of the words you speak.

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Our foundation is definitely damaged!

How can we go forward without the leader we have known for 6 years?

We do it because we remember that Jesus is our foundation, not any earthly man. We love our church leaders, but Jesus is the only one who can truely lead us to Heavan.

The Lord is in His holy temple,

The Lord is on His heavenly throne.

Don't forget He is there. He was there when the decision was made for the dismissal/resignation. He was there Sunday morning during the dreadful announcement. He will be with Tim and Emily when they are trying to find a new place. He will be there when the elders are in search of a new preacher.

He observes the sons of men, His eyes examine them.

He will be there each moment you are deciding whether or not to gossip or slander those decision makers. He is there to listen to your tears, you heartache, your wants and desires, your anger at Him or others, your confusion.

Tell this to Him, what makes your heart ache, He is there for you.

The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked and those who love violence, His soul hates.

I believe we need to be very aware of our words and actions

in the coming months.

I pray that our congregation, our elders, our ministers will keep all eyes on the Lord. That we will examine ourselves before we decide to lay blame elsewhere. That we will examine our tongues before we speak. That we will examine information before we choose to believe it.

For the Lord is the righteous

Let us continue to be the righteous, as well!

For

He loves justice and upright men will see His face.

God may be the only on who really knows why all this tradgedy happened.

I believe He has a plan for HOCC.

And, I, for one, am anxious to see what He has in store for us.