Dear Praying Friends,

I address you that way because you must be praying!  We truly sense your loving support in the many challenges that are before us!  I have been preaching for several weeks now in the Indiana church we attend when I am not traveling.  Our pastor here has been having some challenging health issues.  It has been special watching the congregation care for him and his family.  I have been teaching from the book of Habakkuk that I’ve titled, “I Don’t Understand!”  Habakkuk is a great book and deals with honesty before God especially when God is doing what doesn’t make sense to us.  It sure seems that I have seen a lot of that this year – watching God work in ways I don’t understand.  Recently, several of our precious friends have passed and are passing through experiences that might cause any of us to question God’s actions and purposes.  My heart hurts for them, but it is special to watch them cling to Christ during the difficult times.  There is an anchor that holds fast in the storms of life.  Of course I am talking about God, but the anchor holds not just because God is powerful.  Power can hurt and damage if it is evil.  The reason the anchor holds is God is good!  What gets me through the “I don’t understand” moments of life is the character of God – who God really is.  I’ve learned and am learning the nature of who God is in His goodness through the Bible as its truth is played out in my life and the lives of others.

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”                       (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Not only are there challenges in the Christian life, there are moments of great joy as well.  Both are gifts from God once a person begins to understand God’s character!  I am preparing to leave tomorrow for Iowa where I will be speaking in a couple of churches.  I will have the privilege of teaching the Biblical Relationship Conference at my daughter and son-in-laws church.  This means I will be forced to spend some time with my grandchildren while there!  May my life be filled with such responsibilities!!  Not only will I be enjoying Laurie and Garrett, but I will get to meet for the first time a new granddaughter!  On September 28, 2013 Morgan Lilly Tjapkes was born.  She was a week early, but Christy and Morgan are doing great with no real complications.  I have attached a picture because I know you are anxious to see this beautiful young lady.  She is no doubt one of my favorite grandchildren!  (Actually, they all are my favorites!)  I am a little jealous of Beabea who went over in September to help Christy with the preparations for the baby.  She has been surrounded by grandchildren ever since.  What a tough job, but someone has to do it!  Thank you all for your prayers for Christy, Morgan, and the family.  (Michael, our son-in-law was away when Morgan started coming, but he made it back in time to be there for the birth!)

Please be in prayer for our son, Jeremiah, and his wife, Jessica.  Jessica is due to give birth to their first child on November 13th.  Little Isaiah is doing well and Beabea and I are very excited about meeting him soon.  Can you believe it?  This year we will double our allotment of grandchildren!

We appreciate your prayers for us as we prepare for 2014.  It is developing into a very busy and exciting year of service.  Thanks for standing with us in the ministry God has given to us!

Again, I would appreciate your prayers for our friends who are going through challenging times.  God knows the details, but your prayers will be a comfort to us!

Not always understanding, but knowing the One who does!

John

John (and Beabea) Rogers

jtrbem@gmail.com

Commissioning Church: Shepherd Road Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054, Mulberry, FL  33860

Barnabas Enrichment Ministries
P.O. Box 229
Elkhart, IN 46515-0229

(765) 667-2532