Thursday, February 26, 2015

Friends

Jerry was my friend. We did everything together, or at least that's what my mother told me. I was only four at the time. I vaguely remember going over to his house. I've seen photos of us at the local swimming pool, so we must have gone swimming. The only activity I remember was standing on the corner in front of Jerry's house waiting for the ice cream truck. We both bought ice cream sandwiches, which melted all over our clothes. I'm guessing our mothers were not too please about that, but we thought it was great. Everything stuck to us the rest of the day. It was like having an extra pocket.

I'm not sure what happened to Jerry. I haven't seen him since I was a kid. I hope his life turned out well. People come in and out of our lives. Some we will know only for a moment, some for decades. In this Sunday's message from John 15:11-13, I'll be sharing Jesus' statement describing how we can be a friend and how he is our greatest Friend.


Hope to see you (and a friend) Sunday!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Waiting and Trusting

I've gotten back to exercising and watching what I eat. It's aggravating, because I never should've gotten to the point where I am, if I had just stayed consistent with what I was doing before to take care of myself. 

It's hard not to get discouraged--why am I not seeing the fruits of my labors yet? I've been faithful, I've worked hard, and I've spent lots of time. But....I know that ultimately I am seeking to be more healthy and that things ARE happening below the surface...I'm burning fat, reducing cholesterol levels, strengthening my bones, etc. And where will I be if I give up and quit? Negligent and in even worse shape than before.

I was reminded that sometimes we feel the same way with our Christian walk. We never would've landed in the valley if we had done what we know is right and not deviated from that path. And then we get discouraged. "Why, Lord? Why aren't things changing? I've prayed, I've been involved in ministries, I've contributed...." and our list goes on. But always God is working and many times there are spiritual battles occurring that we don't see. Trust. Be still. Wait upon the Lord.

But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I." (John 5:17)  He is working behind the scenes to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!" (Ephesians 3:20)