October 15, 2023 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Ptr. Immanuel Garcera

IFH: October 15, 2023

Greetings from Tacoma, Washington! As you read this, Erica and I, along with our two kids and my mom are away for a short getaway in part to celebrate our 15-year dating anniversary! Although we’re now married, we still celebrate our dating monthsaries and anniversaries because dating your beloved shouldn’t stop. As we celebrate this milestone in our relationship, I know as a church we’re also celebrating the kick-off of our “Red Letter: Forgiving Challenge”, and the Lord has led me to this word from the Word of God:

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

For all those looking at the title of our 40-day challenge and fearing the incoming difficulty -- take it from the words of the author when he told us, “it’s not going to be what you expect”. The Forgiving Challenge isn’t all about being challenged to forgive someone, but first and foremost, this will be a journey on how to receive forgiveness from God. So yes, we’re called to forgive one another (Eph 4:31), but let’s not focus on that part! Because forgiveness starts with the forgiveness we have in Christ.

With that said, I sure hope that you would partake in this challenge with us as we go through it as a church family. Whether you’re kid in PRETZ, a married couple with kids like us, or maybe somewhere in between or beyond -- let’s be challenged to engage the words of Jesus to be forgiven and be free.

To God be the glory!