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Hi everyone! Happy Thursday!

Many folks in our church family love to travel. It’s fun to listen to your stories when you return from a latest trip, to look at some pictures and discuss favorite moments.

As far as I can tell, most people who enjoy traveling like to do it with good travel companions. I know I do. If I’m just on a business trip to some conference or event, I’m happy to go by myself. I can work in the airport, work on the plane, work in the hotel between sessions, engage the event, then come back. I get a lot done! But if I’m going on a trip when the goal is to see new places, experience new things, and relax in the process, it’s much more fun to have company. My travel companions will notice things I don’t, so we all have a richer experience. They help with planning, resulting in a better itinerary. Conversation and games help to fill the slow moments on the journey. And as a general rule, experiences are just better when you can share them, talk about them, reflect together, and laugh together.

We’re all unique, of course, and there may be some who really do prefer to travel alone regardless of the purpose. But I’m pretty sure a lot of you feel much the same way that I do.

The same principle applies in this journey that we call life, and especially in our walk with Jesus as Christians. We learn more, and more quickly, when we learn from one another. We all need encouragement from time to time. Occasionally, we need someone to lend a hand to help us when we trip or slip into a ditch. Good travel companions are vital when we’re grieving, depleted, or depressed. And our times of joy, worship, and celebration are richer when we can share them. That, of course, is why God has designed human life to include family, and why He not only draws us to Himself in Jesus but also links us to one another in the church.

It’s why we need to cultivate good Christian friendships, as well.

If you’re in town and joining our Sunday morning worship service, you’ll meet one of my Christian friends / traveling companions. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving together with a lot of wonderful brothers and sisters, both in the churches I’ve attended and in the schools where I’ve taught. As I’ve made the transition into pastoral life, I’ve become especially aware of my need to spend time with other pastors and folks with pastoral experience—which is why I attend every CBWC pastors’ event I can, as well as monthly north shore pastoral prayer meetings. I’ve also tried to connect one-on-one on a semi-regular basis with friends and colleagues who understand pastoral life.

One of those friends I meet with from time to time is Lawrence Yuen. I first got to know Lawrence a little bit when he was on the pastoral team in a Vancouver Alliance Church and I was working for the Alliance Seminary at TWU. We became much better acquainted when we were both on staff at Carey Theological College. We’ve both moved on to other things in recent years, but we still make a point of getting together down at Lonsdale Quay several times a year to chat, to reflect on life and ministry, and to pray for each other and our various areas of responsibility. Lawrence has a lot more pastoral experience than I do, and I highly value our times together.

Some months ago, Diane and I made plans to be away this weekend (sadly, long before the church work day was planned—sorry I’ll miss you this Saturday!), and I asked Lawrence if he’d be willing to open God’s Word for us in my absence. I was delighted when he agreed. So if you’re at church on Sunday, you’ll get a chance to meet him. I think you’ll quickly see why I appreciate Lawrence, and I’m confident everyone will be encouraged as he leads us in a study of the Abraham story from Genesis. May God bless His Word as it’s preached, and may Lawrence’s visit be a healthy reminder of the importance of having good spiritual travel companions on our life’s journey with Jesus.  I’m sorry I’ll miss it, but I'm glad to be able to catch up online when I’m back in town.

I’m sure your time of worship together will be wonderful, as usual. Perhaps when we’re back, Diane and I will have a story or two to share and a picture or two to show from our short trip into the woods this weekend.

If you’re reading ahead this week, Lawrence tells me he plans to visit Genesis 12:1-20. It’s one of the most important sections of Genesis, since this is where we first get to know Abraham and hear about God’s call on his life. This is also a story about journeying—about the beginning of Abraham’s long personal walk with God. There’s plenty in the passage to speak to all of us. (Unfortunately, Abraham didn’t have any pictures to share from his travels.) 

Well, that’s my news for this morning. Have a blessed week and weekend, and I look forward to connecting again soon.

—Pastor Ken