Summer Activities & A Message From Vicki

* June 1, 2026 is Open Book Ministries’ 21st birthday! Lord, thank You for Your precious holy presence!

* We are updating the OBMin website! Watch for some beneficial changes this month!

* Our three summer morning prayer opportunities are Tuesdays, June 9, July 7, August 18 7-9 a.m. 

Our dynamic summer prayer topic is “Prayer Warrior” from Stormie Omartian’s book. 

Please join the Lord and your friends to learn and pray. 

RSVP on “Contact Us” to let us know you’re coming and for location.

* Surprise Small Group Mini Bible Retreats and Coffee Shop Meetups. Info coming soon!

* Summer Garden Party! Open Book is delighted to share 

our plans for future gatherings and ministry opportunities! 

Saturday, August 8, 2026, 9 a.m. to noon.

Speaking God's truth in the way we grasp it may not always sound practiced or polished. 

I love that Jesus was honest with those who followed Him; a gentle but powerful Teacher He was and is!

In Mark 6, we read about Jesus' patient, probing, and profound teaching ...

"And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. 

And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, 

Wherever did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, 

that such mighty works are performed by His hands!"  Mark 6:2

Ironically, instead of being encouraged by what they had heard and seen, they were offended! (Mark 6:3) 

Jesus' communication style and His chosen companions did not fit well with the religious leaders of His day.

We see it throughout the Gospels that Jesus did not mess around with the truth, 

but instead spoke it boldly and even brashly, but always with a heart to draw men, 

women, and children to repentance. He loved them.

My husband and I often babysit two of our great granddaughters on Wednesdays. 

It is “grand girl day!” 

It is truly one of the incredible delights and highlights of our week! 

We’ve watched our oldest, the five-year old, have an amazing growth spurt in her emotions and her reasoning! 

This week, when it was time for the girls to head home, she and I were enjoying our final conversation of the day. 

She was telling me about “love power.” I asked her what that meant, and she replied,

 “Grandma, it is the power to love stupid people.” She made me laugh (I’m still giggling.) 

May I add this thought … she is not far off on her assessment.

Perhaps for our five-year old granddaughter, the word “stupid” may have been the best word she could find 

to describe people who are not very nice, not easy to be around. Those of us who are a few years older 

have experienced such humans ... difficult folks who are "always right", 

perhaps unrestrained verbally, who may even disregard the presence or dignity of other humans. 

How about aggressive, self-centered, me-first drivers on our highways and byways?

Life and people can be tough! We all know this to be true. But God still loves them ... and us ... and me.  

When we recall that Jesus came to a very imperfect world (unlike the world He originally created), 

to dwell amidst fallen people, we bow our heads and give thanks! He truly does understand us!

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

 "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." 

Jeremiah 31:3

I remember when I was working a 45 hour per week job in Human Resources in the construction industry.

After a particularly troublesome phone call with the wife of an employee, I wrote a note to myself. 

I kept this note taped on the receiver on the phone in my office 

and duplicated it and taped on the steering wheel of my car.

 I put it in both places to remind myself of a vitally important truth

 about the people I spoke with and drove alongside.

The message read: “People Whom Jesus Died For.” 

I may need to put that note back on my steering wheel today! 

Five little words to remind me that Jesus loves each person no matter what. 

And He loves me too! Even when I am “stupid.”