Sylvester...

The photo I’m sharing this week proves it. You can see me sitting with my older brother and sister (the real reason for this pic ?)…and of course looking pretty good.

Sylvester wasn’t your typical “sit in the cage and twitch your nose” kind of rabbit. No, he was more like Houdini. He could escape his cage, disappear into the yard, and materialize in the raspberry bushes like he was auditioning for a magic show. He’d sit there, perfectly still, watching us run around like lunatics, probably wondering why the humans were so dramatic.

And honestly, some days it felt like Sylvester might outlast us. He was quicker, smaller, and had zero respect for our chasing skills. But no matter how many times he slipped away, he never stayed gone. Sometimes we found him and brought him home, and other times, he just came back on his own. And eventually, Sylvester learned he didn’t need to live on the run to survive. 

Looking ahead to my sermon this Sunday, I see a little of Sylvester in Luke 1:57–66. Zechariah doubted God’s promise when the angel announced Elizabeth was with child in her old age. And as a punishment, the Lord gave him a nine-month “silent retreat.” No debating, no negotiating, no talking it out. Just silence. For nine months, while God’s promise grew right in front of him.

And then the moment comes when Zechariah obediently writes, “His name is John,” and suddenly the whole neighborhood is buzzing. They’re in awe. They’re talking. They’re wondering what God is up to.

Bottom line, God’s Word outlasts our doubts.

Our doubts fuel us to run, hide, and even outlast God. They dart into the spiritual raspberry bushes like they’ve got the upper hand. But our doubts will never outlast God, and this is super encouraging. When God speaks, His mercy breaks through our silence and changes lives.

This Sunday, we’re diving into that moment when the silence breaks and God’s mercy goes public. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and even your doubts.

I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. 

Stay warm and have a great weekend,

Troy

P.S. Men’s breakfast is at 9:00 am tomorrow….come on over to New Life for some great food and a discussion on prayer led by Pastor Jeff.