On Covenant Players' 45th Birthday

International Director, Bobbi Johnson-Tanner, wrote the following in a special newsletter to Covenant players celebrating 45 years of ministry. We share these words with you.

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:23-24 NIV)

What a great joy it has been, reading through these pages celebrating our ministry! They include praise as well as testimony, hardship, sacrifice and love – a radiant love. The love shared here – for the Lord, for His kingdom, for our ministry and for each other - is transcending and refracting, building as I read one account after another. Perhaps this is the kind of love that might have shone from Moses after spending time with our Lord, face to face!

I thank the Lord for sustaining and nurturing and pruning this ministry called Covenant Players! Seeded within the Lord’s own heart, we are that tree planted by streams of living water in Psalms 1 “... which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” What a promise! “Open my lips,” the psalmist cries in 51:15, “and my mouth will declare your praise!” That’s how I feel after reading through this week’s Special URW, celebrating CP’s 45 years. And in the midst, this scripture came to my mind:

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:23-24 NIV)

Our writings and affirmations to one another, to the Lord, and about our ordained ministry act like a mirror to our inner selves, making our spirits leap within us in recognition of what is good, what is right.. Like the Banquet and times during Retreat – we are given, now, another opportunity to take a long look in the mirror to see who we are. We are Covenant Players, a ministry in drama, going where the people are, serving the leadership of the church and community, being God’s Voice in places of silence. We do this for the love of Jesus Christ – which is what we hope to see each time we look into that mirror.

So, now, our challenge. After turning away from this mirror, we must not forget who we are. Please God, help us.

The Lord bless and keep you. I love you, each one.

Bobbi