Dear Friends, 

This Sunday we will continue our sermon series on the story of David as found in 1 Samuel 25. David has spent sometime in the Judean wilderness making a life for himself and this followers . He has established good relationships with those who also inhabit this region, offering protection and security to his neighbours, some of whom raise livestock for a living. Nabal (whose name means “fool”) is one of the wealthy owners who have benefited from David’s presence and protection. Yet when David’s men make a modest request to join Nabal on a feast day Nabal refuses. In fact he insults those who have made this request “Who is this David?…The Son of Jesse?”  This news get back to David who loses his temper and commands his men to “strap on your swords”. He is out for revenge. Remember this is the same David who showed mercy to King Saul not once but twice before. Yet now his temper causes him to almost make a rash decision that he would regret. I say “almost” because there is another woman who enters the story. Abigail, Nabal’s wife. She realizes her husbands folly and stupidity and before David can do any damage to Nabal and his all of his household,  Abigail wisely intervenes. In humility she goes to meet David and offers a feast,  but something more. Wisdom. Abigail reminds David who he is. Yes the son of Jessie but even more the anointed future King of Israel. David is moved. He is repentant and recognizes the great wisdom and courage it took for Abigail to do what she did, in order to save him from acting rashly, slaughtering the innocent  because of the foolish stupidity of her husband. David’s name means “beloved”. We are not David the Son of Jesse. Yet perhaps this passage challenges us a Christians and who claim Christ’s name to live up to our calling as the “beloved” children of God in word and deed. Do others see a Christlikeness about us? Do we “remember” who we are in the various circumstances of life? We are grateful for the Abigail’s in our lives who wisely remind us to think and act with self-control, trusting God, even when others might drag our name through the mud. So please join me on Sunday as we explore this story in a message called “The Fool, The Wise and the Beloved”      

February is Black History Month and we are planning a service on February 23rd to recognize and thank God for the contributions of people from the Black community in faith and service. Our special guest will be Rev. Julia Moses who is the pastor of British Methodist Episcopal Church and members of her congregation. BME have been using Glenbrook sanctuary for many years as their place of worship and I have a long relationship with Julia and her associate Glenda Lewis. I also want to thank the Agyemang family for the alter cloths that have been donated and used over the month of February.     

Happy Valentines Day and also Happy Family Day Weekend.

Take care and be kind to each other!   

Pastor Ian