What To Expect
Sunday is a big day in this busy Christian community. Learn more about what goes on.
What We Believe
Discover our core values and beliefs as a church.
For Your Kids
Your children will love exploring God's story at Discovery Land.
Getting Here
Visit our contact/directions page for a Bing map and instructions on taking Metro.
Our Pastors
Learn about the pastors and pastoral teams here at Covenant Life.
Explore Covenant Life
Starting Point is the beginning of involvement at Covenant Life. Join the class any Sunday.
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
August 12 2012 at 6:13 pm 8 Comments
Pastor Erik Sheffer sent the letter below to the members under his care last week. We hope it encourages your soul, too!
Friends,
When was the last time you had a fresh encounter with our living God? If you are like me, sadly, these aren’t every day occasions. These moments are rare. And I want to share one with you to remind you that he does speak, personally and intimately still.
But first I want to remind us that they need not be rare. God is speaking powerfully right now. God is fully present right now. It’s our hearts, our seeing and hearing that is the problem. Romans 1:19-20 says,
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
So my prayer that I have been crying out to God is for him to help us truly see him and hear him, which I believe will lead us to love and worship him. How can a heart that has seen or heard the voice of God not melt before him?
Ok, so now the story I wanted to share. My newborn daughter, Jubilee, was in the NICU for a few days after her birth before I finally got the phone call from my wife, Jerusha, that she was ready to be discharged. As I was driving in, excited, yet weary, I thought I’d listen to a song to refresh me and help me worship with a grateful heart. I remembered the Sara Groves song, “He Has Always Been Faithful,” and than remembered I purchased her new album a while back, “Invisible Empires
Again, picture me 10 minutes away from Shady Grove Hospital ready to pick up Jubilee and Jerusha hearing this song. Without giving any specifics of the song away (you have to listen to it!), the way the song ends (the last 30-45 seconds, so you can skip to it if you don’t have 3 minutes) reminded me that God still speaks … not just corporately, but personally and intimately. He knew exactly what I needed at that moment AND I had the grace to slow down, listen, and worship.
Let’s keep praying for God to speak powerfully in and through our lives today, for he is a consuming fire!
Grateful to be your pastor,
Shef
301-869-2800 
301-948-8745
Erik, what a great story of how God recently spoke to you, “personally and intimately!” I SO need fresh reminders of how He loves to communicate with us - it builds my faith to watch and listen.
By Jeannie Shenk on 08/13/2012And thanks too for all the wise counseling you do in this church - such a gift to our congregation.
Oh how we miss being under your care Shef! Thanks for the encouragement :)
By Tricia on 08/13/2012God so works in what we think is the mundane of life. Thank you for sharing God’s work of grace with us. This was definitely an encouragement to me.
By Jeff Witorsch on 08/13/2012Erik, I know exactly the intimacy that you are sharing about, but I regret the days that I let my cares, concerns and busyness crowd out that quiet voice that says “be still and know that I am God!” What a wonderful Father we have who cares so deeply about his children and what we so desparately need. I am so happy that God gave you grace to experience by his love for you.
May God’s voice never be silent to you.
By Becky Faherty on 08/13/2012Becky
Excellent, Shef!
By Roger Hooper on 08/14/2012Erik, I know I need to be reminded of how much God wants to communicate with me. Life moves fast and if I don’t stop to hear God what has to say to me, I am lost. Thank you for reminding me to stop and listen.
By Onix Castaneda on 08/14/2012Erik, I am working in Germantown as a sidewalk counselor to women outside Carhart’s abortion clinic there. I would add another line at the end…” When you see a post-abortive woman walk free…..”
By Mary Beth Phillips on 08/14/2012There is FORGIVENESS AND FREEDOM FROM THE SHAME OF SIN in Jesus Christ.
Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on your new baby to all of your family.
in Christ,
Mary Beth
Thank you for sharing that. When it comes down to it, each of us is a child that He loves and delights to father. It overwhelms me when His kindness breaks through the static of our lives and speaks so tenderly yet powerfully. Now you have something to meditate on during the wee hours of the night as you cuddle your newest bundle : )
By Chris McSweeney on 08/15/2012Commenting is not available in this channel entry.