Some Days are Just Difficult
When you look back on your life, you will certainly remember that some days were more difficult than others. Maybe the day you heard about a terminal illness, a miscarriage, the death of someone close to you, the loss of [...]
Not Just Another Ordinary Day
To the ordinary person, another day is just another day to do ordinary things until it’s another day. To Jesus, Wednesday meant transition. Things were changing and the palm branches that once waved to greet a Savior now were withering [...]
No Rest for Judas
Ever had more to do than your day allowed? No time for lunch, additional appointments, phone calls, unplanned conversations, or outside activities. The clock moves extra quickly and the countless tasks move especially slowly. There is a battle between time [...]
What a Monday….
I’m sitting here today reflecting on exactly what this week means and has meant for the past 2000 or so years. Many years ago, Jesus spent His last week before His death purposefully engaging in important activities. Interestingly, Jesus knew [...]
Why Does More Make You Want?
When I was younger I loved magic. There was a man down the street from my house who taught me all kinds of card tricks, gave me tips on which different illusions to buy, and how to set up [...]
Thanksgiving: Who or What?
Thanksgiving is a great occasion for families to spend time together, share memories, make memories, catch up, and make up some unrealistic excuse for eating way more than we should. It is a day of parades, football games, board games, [...]
Forgiveness is Hard Work
He shouldn’t have done that to me! She shouldn’t talk to me that way! He lied to me! She hurt me! My best friend didn’t keep his word! My friend really hurt me! I didn’t deserve that! And the excuses [...]
Navigating Through Disagreement
Regardless of your position in a church, I’m confident that you often find yourself wearing the mediator cap in the middle of a disagreement. Disagreement happens when people have a difference of opinion over almost any issue. Usually, disagreement, [...]
Mtn Dew and Branches
The original formula was invented in the 1940’s and later revised in 1958. Who knew then that a soft drink recipe would change the world forever? From generation to generation, people have settled on their favorite soft drink. Mine is [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 27: Are We There Yet?
Have you ever been on a vacation? I bet so. I remember when we took our kids to Disney World when they were much younger. We lived nearly 9 hours from Orlando, but it didn’t seem so long of a [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 26: Now What?
Christmas story…read. Food...eaten. Desserts…demolished. Dishes…cleaned. Pictures…snapped. Presents…opened. Torn wrapping paper…bagged. Naps…taken. Traveling…completed. Family…loved on. Now what? The Christmas season begins weeks and sometimes months before Christmas day. So much anticipation, purchasing, and craziness happen before that special day. Parties, children [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 25: The Birthday of a King
Birthday of a King In the little village of Bethlehem There lay a child one day And the sky was bright With a holy light O'er the place where Jesus lay. Alleluia O [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 24: Who Knew?
What if you were in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? Here’s what I know. You probably would be unaware of anything going on in the city. It was a normal night for you and your family. In fact, if [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 23: God’s Purpose Prevails
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 22: The Greatest Worship Team!
We focused earlier in the month on the idea of worship being a response to God’s grace in our lives. I really wanted to put it together for you as we look at the complete picture of worship with some [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 21: Fireworks and the Glory of God
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 20: Shepherds, Sheep, and a Savior
Have you ever felt really insignificant? You know, like you didn’t matter. Maybe you have a job where you feel like you don’t make a difference. Maybe you struggle with your chosen profession or even your self-esteem. I think we [...]
31 Days of Promise and Hope…..Day 19: The Grinch
A story is told of a furry green creature who was mistreated as a child. One Christmas, he was ridiculed for bringing a homemade quirky gift to school for the gift exchange. Children laughed at him and he became the [...]
It seemed appropriate for our children to study about Noah’s ark and the flood in our Sunday School this past Sunday. Our parking lot had become a flowing river and people all over the city began to experience the results of 10-17 inches of rain over the past couple of days. For the safety of those who might have braved the weather, I cancelled all of our services for the day. I waited at the church for an hour or so in the event someone showed up unexpectedly. This never happened. So, I used the time to pray for our city and state.
I can’t even begin to understand the devastating loss. Our state, like many others, is connected through so many different relationships. This web of relationships extends not only through the state, but also through other states as well. We hurt for those who became victims of the uncertain flooding. Thousands and thousands of people are struggling to figure out their next steps as they spend time in shelters and hotels around the state. Many are cut off from surrounding communities because the rising water washed away access from all roads. Many of the hardest hit cities are without running water, and those who do have water in those areas have been encouraged to boil their water before drinking. I’m sure that you’ve seen pictures of the widespread destruction. It is bad. I ask that you pray for South Carolina.
Officials in Columbia, S.C. stated that all deaths were from an identical cause: people stranded in cars that filled with water. He was sure the death toll would increase as the waters begin to recede.
You may ask, “What is the purpose of such tragedy,” or “What now?” I want to explore a couple of thoughts with you.
God’s Ways are Higher than Ours
For some, this may be an excuse without support. However, as I reflect on the difficult times we face in life, I am always reminded that God’s purpose prevails (Proverbs 19:21). God takes the tragedy and destruction in this world and uses it for His good. We may never know how many people God will change as a result of what has happened in South Carolina this week. I am not minimizing the heartbreak, but I am highlighting the one who mends the broken hearted.
God’s Economy Helps us to Understand the Brevity of Stuff
We live in a self-sufficient world that seemingly does not need God. We have everything we need. We have cars, fancy houses, granite top counters, stainless steel appliances, computers, antique furniture, family pictures, and things that mean so much to us. However, God’s economy says that those things are just things that will eventually be gone (Matthew 6:19). While our stuff may not last, our relationship with God will.
God’s Desire is to Have a Relationship with us
Above all, God desires to have a relationship with us. He created us to worship Him and Him alone. This relationship begins with our salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9; 8:9-10) and continues as we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). This relationship is more important than anything else in your life. It is more important than your spouse, children, job, or career path.
So now what?
If you are in the middle of the flood crisis, seek God for His favor and grace in your life. God will provide so much love and care for you in the middle of what seems like total devastation. Pray and seek God’s strength. Pray and seek God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Understanding Philippians 4:6-7 is easy when things are going well in our lives. But, lose your house, car, family pet, years of photographs, and other significant items and it becomes more difficult.
If you are reading this from the outside, please pray for the people of South Carolina. I really believe God is going to do things with the hearts of people throughout this state and country. Your generous donations have helped to provide water, shelter, and clothing to so many.
Pray that God would allow you to develop a heart of compassion towards those who are less fortunate. As we develop a right understanding of our place in the universe, we quickly acknowledge that we are really just a small part of something incredibly large. Pray that God would allow you to significantly touch someone today and make a difference. You never know the difficulty someone may be facing.