Facing Fear

This Sunday I will be sharing the third part of the Lion Chasing Series at church. The subject is facing fear. Tough subject. Who wants to? I mean it just sounds unpleasant. I'd rather go to Disney World. (well it's a little hot for that, but you know what I mean)

We have to face fear to function in this world. The fear of letting go so that we can walk for the first time. The fear of being left by our parents to go to school for the first time. One of my great fears was the first day of Junior High School.(Loooooong story)

I can clearly remember the fear that gripped me when I took Ruth to the hospital because a baby was about to be born.

Hey, here is one of my favorites. "Sir we need to do a colonoscopy." I mean Come On!


But:
I really love walking.
I'm really glad I learned to read and write.
I'm Reeeeaaaaalllly glad I got out of Junior High School.(I wouldn't go through puberty again for anybody)
I love my beautiful children that Ruth gave me.
I cannot tell you how glad I am that I do not have gall bladder disease anymore.

Hey, face your fears.

911

Today we remember.

Dear Jesus,

I ask you to be with the families of those who lost loved ones on this terrible day. Even these six years later their hearts are heavy because of the separation. Only you Lord can really heal the pain of such loss.

Help us to evaluate these circumstances as your children and realize that in the worst times of loss you can bring opportunities for lifting up your name. God give us the courage to make decisions as people of faith that will bring real peace, your peace to our world.

Amen

Intentional

Yesterday I spent time with some old friends and some fairly new ones. I love spending time with friends laughing about great memories and making new memories. There are not many things in this world that are better than having time with friends.

However, in the last few years I have been intentional about taking those relationships and giving effort toward being productive, especially toward the Kingdom. Sunday I said in a teaching that I believe that God sees to it that we are in the right place at the right time through our lives even when it does not seem to be so.

What if I opened my eyes and realized that God is behind so many of the relationships that have come my way? What if I was intentional about allowing those relationships to add to God's kingdom in a genuine and organic manner?

I do not believe it would take away from the good times and all the laughter, I believe it would create even greater memories than the incredible ones God has allowed me to experience with my friends to date.

Just a thought.

God Has A Plan

I am sitting here this morning reading stories from people in First Assembly's past. The stories I won't try to share here today, accept to say listen for them in church and watch for them here on the blog in the future. (I have to figure out a way to share them)
There are tears on my shirt as I read the stories and see the common thread of God's grace and providence. As I find a beginning point in a family where someone invested themselves into others, the thread of the grace of God follows that investment and families are blessed to the second and third generation.
God keeps good records and He never forgets those bless Him and build His kingdom.
I don't even know if what I am saying makes a lot of sense to you reading, but know that i am overwhelmed as I look at God's amazing grace.