Transfused Strength, Vitality, and an Unshakable Force for All Your Rough Roads Ahead
It was right past the homeless man with the guitar, and I loved that he was jiving and rocking along to the music. Our homeless gifts bags slid around on the floor at my feet, and I can’t remember if we were able to give him one that day or if the intersection light turned green and we had to swing away, a long line of cars behind pressing us to move.
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| Photo Credit: Flickr user Hal Dick, Creative Commons cc license |
The orange square sign announced it. Black words on tangerine background stating the truth that has already been shaking my world. Rough Road Ahead, and you can see it coming, know that it’s coming, but there’s still nothing like crossing the smooth-sailing calm traverse you’ve been on to bump into the rock and gravel of the rough road ahead.
And we can see that sign ahead, and know it’s coming, even in the midst of our service to others, and loving service to family.
The secret that I’ve seen, may I spill it to you? Because I’ve been watching and spying and seeing it ripple out. The secret that I’ve seen reverberate, rippling out peace, beauty, calm despite unrest, and joy wrapped in deep pain, has been rooted in this.
I’ve seen it scrawled on paper across kitchen tables, beside the coffee mugs and bobbing purple orchid blooms. I’ve heard it in soft voices from across round church tables, and in quiet homes with stuffed couches and armchairs. I’ve seen grown men crying in handsome dignity and seen it written across their faces.
The power and strength to traverse any rough road ahead is written in ancient ink from the Word-God himself. This word that gives light to the eyes, joy to the heart, makes wise the simple, revives the soul and renews us daily is an unstoppable force and available to us all.
I’ve seen God’s words in the Bible transfuse strength and comfort as a woman traces the well-worn pages with silk-skin fingertips after hours of yard-work and a life poured out for others. I’ve spied out weary-worn men and women who rise in unnoticed silence and grab fiercely to the Rock that sustains them and gives them truth, and again and again I see them grab onto God’s word.
It is active, alive, vibrant, life-changing, sustaining, and transformational.
I have been immersing myself in the Bible’s pages especially this summer as I prepare to teach with Village School of the Bible’s Cover to Cover immersive Bible survey classes this year.
There is still time to join us! I’ll be teaching Mondays from 6:45 to 8:45 pm at Living Faith Church in Blaine/Circle Pines, Minnesota, starting August 21st. (If you live anywhere near the Twin Cities suburbs, you are welcome to join us. Feel free to invite family and friends.)
Register by calling Trish at VSB at 952-540-9460 or email: trish@villageschoolsofthebible.org. Cost is $129 and scholarships are available. You are welcome to even just visit the first night and see what you think.
Here is a testimonial from a mom and her daughter who went through the study together.
Join me?
P.S.
Want to hear a powerful sermon by my Dad, Bruce Pinke, sharing the Six Truths he’s learning through suffering as he is dying from stage IV cancer? It is encouraging, beautiful, and God-honoring. Listen here.
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Shocking revelation, Jennifer. Rough road is an understatement. I'm so sorry for what you and you're family are going through, but what an amazing testimony from your Dad! Only God can bring peace in times like this.
I'm praying for your dad and for you and your family.
What an exciting Bible study that sounds like. Don't you love it how much we learn through teaching? I love digging into God's living word. Even the well known stories continue to offer wisdom and guidance. Guess I shouldn't be so surprised by God, but he does every time. Glad we connected!
How wonderful that you're embarking on a new study, Jennifer! Praying that the Lord will guide you as you teach, and will open up hearts of those who will be learning.
The Word of God is such a treasure, a lifeline I couldn't live without. Blessings, Jennifer, as you begin teaching this semester. I'm sure God will use you in a wonderful way.
p.s. Thanks for posting the link to your Dad's sermon. I can't listen right now but am going to try to remember to come back and listen some other time. Still praying for you all.
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Thank you, Floyd, Jean, Lisa, Cheryl, and Whisk-Pries,
Thanks for being happy with me about this new class I'm teaching.
Thank you for reaching out and being sad with me too as I walk this journey with my Dad.
I appreciate it.
Fondly,
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
My heart goes out to you. It's so hard seeing our daddy's like that. I will be praying for you.
May the comforting hands of God hold you and your family. Thank you for sharing in your journey. I look forward to hearing your dad's message.
I couldn't figure out how to listen to your dad's message. Sorry.
TC,
Thanks for telling me about this. I just updated and made the link easier to use.
Warmly,
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Jennifer,
I was thinking about you and your dad and wondering how he is doing. Thank you for pointing us back to God and His Living Word.
May God continue to strengthen and comfort your dad, you, and your family as you traverse this rough road. Grateful to know the Good Shepherd is close to you all.
Hugs,
Dolly
I could not listen to your Dad either but from the ones who could comments, it is evident they were touched by what he said. What a blessing to have parents who walk with the Lord and show how to handle the rough times along with the joyful times. Blessings Jennifer.