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Thru Random Acts - Always Expecting the Best!
Happy New Year, my Thru Random Acts Family,
A lot has transpired since my last message to you. Here’s just a few occurrences for us to recall:
- According to the California Department of Finance, the population on January 1, 2024, was estimated to be 39,128,186, an increase of 67,024 from 2023.
- Pro-Palestinian protests occurred at California universities.
- In the 2023 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams advanced to the Wild Card playoffs and the San Francisco 49ers advanced to the divisional playoffs.
- Significant layoffs in the technology sector as a consequence of growth during the COVID-19 pandemic continued into 2024.
- In January, Unity Technologies laid off 1,800 employees—or a quarter of its workforce, Amazon's live streaming service Twitch laid off 500 employees—or 35% of its workforce, and Google laid off hundreds of employees in its engineering, voice assistant, and hardware divisions.
- A heat wave in the Western United States that began in July resulted in several fatalities, record temperatures, and wildfires. According to Fremont city officials, temperatures incurred fish die-off in Lake Elizabeth.
- In December 2023, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber ruled that Donald Trump was eligible to be on the ballot in the 2024 presidential election.
- In July 2024, Joe Biden, the president of the United States since 2021, concluded his presidential campaign, endorsing Kamala Harris, the vice president of the United States since 2021 and a former California attorney general.
- Waymo expands its driverless robotaxi service in San Francisco.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signs a bill preventing school districts from notifying parents of pronoun or name changes.
- The California Supreme Court rules that Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees.
- Governor Gavin Newsom orders the removal of homeless encampments following the Supreme Court's ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson.
As confusing as some of these occurrences may appear, they were only a sampling of the “trials and tribulations” that many of us faced. As we can see, situations and people change – whether they are desired changes or those that we have no control over. But all is not lost, there is one thing that remains constant in the life of the believer. God can do anything but fail. We have a blessed assurance that God is in control and that he will always take care of us. Whether it’s mandated or a cause of nature, God reigns and controls our earthly situation.
I am always thinking of the old sayings and songs that continuously carry me through. Whenever you read, hear of, or even feel this world’s disturbing changes, take these words to heart:
“There’s a bright side somewhere. There’s a bright side somewhere. Don’t stop ‘til you find it. There’s a bright side somewhere.
When your way seems dark and drear, don’t have to worry cause God is near. If in your heart, there is no song, just keep the faith, keep holding on. Turn your plate down, fast and pray, Jesus will always make a way. There’s a bright side somewhere.”
Just keep being faithful and looking for that bright side. You will find enough faith to sustain you through the hard times, and you will find yourself being a beacon light that leads you and your loved ones to the “bright side.”
Remember, I love you and always pray and expect the best!
Pastor Rogers✝️
Featured Monthly Meal
Black History Meal for February 2026
Fried Chicken
Mac n' Cheese
Red Beans n' Rice
Green Beans
Cornbread
Cake
Water
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God is so good!!! 🙋🏾♀️☝🏾🙏🏾