Reverend Hopping; Pastor Josh

It is official – I am now the senior pastor of the Payette River Vineyard.

And why I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the will of God, I can’t help but be a tad nervous. Praise the Lord that He equips the called – ‘cause I’m going to need Him all the more!!

As I look to the future, I can’t help but be amazed at what God has done in my life. Who would have thought I backwoods boy from the Ozarks would be a Vineyard pastor in the mountains of Idaho?!

It all goes back to a verse God gave me as I finished high school many moons ago:

There are many plans in a man’s heart,Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. (Prov 19:21)

His counsel – His will – that will stand, regardless of the whirlwinds and chaos around me.

It is on that fact I have stacked my life and my future. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Trial by Fire

I almost didn’t write this…but it goes along with the news above…

Last night a member of our church who has been battling cancer passed away. The pain and sorrow of their passing is great…yet we rejoice in knowing that they are will our Lord and Savior.

This is not some word play or mental trick – it is a fact build on the truth that Jesus has risen from the death and He is among us today. Life is more than just material items and physical goods – there is a spiritual world that is as real, if not realer, then the one we see with our eyes.

May the Lord grant us the grace to walk the road in front of us.

Amen.