Why Worry?

By Pat

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Worrying is one of the most difficult things we Christians wrestle with, usually on a daily basis if we're honest about it. Some days have few, but on other days we are overcome with situations that cause us to feel overwhelmed, burdened and far from God. Finances, health, jobs, families, children, and direction in our lives...these are just a few of the issues that we worry about and deal with. We do worry about tomorrow; the fear of the unknown. We try not to, but it's hard!

And so, I remind myself that no matter what tomorrow holds, God is already there. I am thankful for God's promises. I have given my cares to God, and no one can handle them better than He can. I praise God for blessings yet to come, strength that will be provided, wisdom which will be given when needed, and peace that is there for the taking. I praise God for His promise that I never walk alone. I praise God for darkness that will become light and rain that will change over to bright sunshine. I thank God for His wonderful gift of salvation, love that never fails, and the peace that passes all understanding. Indeed, why should I worry?

"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." (Psalm 18:28-29)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Is... Loving and Approachable

By Jay Cookingham (Soulfari)

The parable in Luke 15 shouts with the love and compassion the Father has towards us. See if you can spot the lessons He would love for us to learn from this story.

"So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.""

See how the father was expecting his son’s return! You don’t see people a long way’s off unless you are watching intently for them to appear. Day after day he continues his watch until one day He checks again and sees a figure, one he is familiar with. He is so excited, that he starts to run! He could have waited until his son reached him; after all he is the father and the one wronged. The father risks a loss of respect to run to a son considered lost, spiritually dead to the family, and does not hesitate a moment.

Here’s a point that I find wonderful, the son could also see his father coming after him! Imagine him practicing his lines; wondering about the response he’ll receive by his return. His head is bowed, he’s dressed in rags and he still reeks of pig dip. He lifts his head just a little and from a distance he sees his daddy trucking down the road towards him. Soon daddy is all over him, throwing his arms around him and kissing him. Dressed in rags, dirty and foul smelling, his father doesn’t wait until his son is cleaned up to embrace him with compassion. He was on a roll now and wasn’t about to stop.

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

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Learning To Wait

By Pat

I have often wondered what my life would look like today if I had been more attentive, careful and steadfast in listening for God's instructions. Would I be where I am right now, doing what I'm doing, or would God have me in a completely different place?

I am not always the most patient person in the world, especially when it comes to waiting. I am very diligent about giving my cares to the Lord, but not so great at deciphering what God is telling me. Therefore, many times I have taken matters into my own hands, thinking that God is taking too long to answer me and give me the guidance I need. Or worse...maybe decided that my solution is a little better than God's. That's a hard thing to admit! I'm sure more than once I have been disobedient to God by not waiting for Him.

In 1 Samuel 8, Samuel, by God's authority, told Saul, "Go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do." Saul, now anointed king of Israel, assembled his men and went to Gilgal as Samuel instructed. But as we read on we find that Saul took matters into his own hands..."He waited seven days, the time set by Samual; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. So he said, "Bring me the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offerings."

Saul's impatience cost him favor with God, and under pressure Saul's lack of faith was revealed, as mine has been many times. When we stay in God's will and wait for His answers in His perfect timing, we will be blessed so that we can be a blessing to God. Hang in there...He's worth the wait!

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Is... All-Knowing

By Nick (My Experience As...)

He Knows When You are Sleeping

I know, Christmas is over, but I love Christmas and could celebrate all year.  Plus, what better example for the all knowing God to a kid.

I have 4 children age 2-7.  They are girl, boy, girl, boy.  You could plan things better if you tried. My kids are all over the place with Santa, but they love presents … mostly.  The youngest is down with a present or two, but then basically wants to play and gets mad that we keep trying to get him to open the new presents.  The oldest two pretty much just tear into it. We make them take turns but you can tell it really kills them waiting. The youngest girl takes her time, looks at each thing and then opens the next present on her turn.

So back to the Santa deal.  We don’t really teach Santa in our house, but we don’t narc on the myth either.  We talk about St. Nicholas, a real hero of mine, and we talk about Jesus. They get plenty about Santa in school and since starting public school the oldest two have waffled back and forth on the Santa issue.  I think they are hedging their bets. Our oldest, a girl, was pretty firm this year and her 10 month younger brother was persuaded by her insistence a lot of the time. M, the youngest girl, is dead set that Santa is not real.  Odd that a 4 year old is so absolute in this.  She gets into screaming arguments that he isn’t real. I’m worried for kindergarten next year. I have a feeling she is going to really upset some kids.

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The Enemy

By Pat

I have been an avid bird watcher for many years, and love watching them at my various feeders. I always marvel at their beauty and resilience and the loveliness of their songs. It gives me great joy. Today I learned a lesson from one.

A small Carolina wren was on my deck railing, but instead of going after the food, he sat still, hunkered down and not moving a muscle. He remained that way for quite some time, and I knew without a doubt there had to be a hawk in the area. I looked around, and sure enough I saw a hawk right there in the woods by my yard. The wren knew he was there, and that if he moved he could possibly become lunch for the crafty hawk, so he did the smart thing. He stayed still and quiet and waited for the enemy to leave (which didn't take very long because I chased the hawk away!)

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