Still There

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Thursday, May 31, 2018

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!  I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!  And when I wake up, you are still with me!   Psalm 139:13-18^(NLT)

There are those times I go through some pretty wide sweeps of thought ranging from the pit to pinnacle.  If you’re an introvert you do a lot of reflecting in the quiet times like now; the sun isn’t quite up, and Wellie and Gracie (the dogs who own us) haven’t yet demanded to be fed.  It’s quiet; I can think.

In these early-hour moments I keep the sense of awe that King David expresses in this Psalm.  It’s that the hand which knit me together in my mother’s womb, and the divine eyes that scrutinized the assembling of every molecule as I came together, before I had a single awakening thought or sensation of the sun on my face – THAT God, knows every complexity that makes me a soul.  I am, from the DNA in my bloodstream, to the flesh, bone, sinew and impulses of my brain, soul and spirit, a constant evidence of God’s loving care. 

He thinks about me!  And would that be a strange idea, considering I have as many moving parts as it takes to do anything at all?  There are billions of cells which form Russell, all working together under the supervision of God’s creative hand.

There is a theory I first heard in seminary years ago about the beginnings of the universe, and God’s involvement, if (according to this theory) there is a God at all.  God, if he ever existed, created the universe like a master clockmaker puts together a timepiece.  He wound it up, and left it to run; God never tinkers with it…it’s up to us to make sense of the time of day, and what to do about all we encounter.  We are in charge; there’s nothing else.

Now, a theory like that is espoused by those who fear that there really might be a God Who is involved in the affairs of humankind, but is more afraid to finally deny God altogether…just in case!  So he comes up with a theory that allows God a “hand” in getting things started, but doesn’t really care about us.  It’s a way of gaining a degree of separation from a holy-Creator God by obscurring the line between moral behavior with its’ accountability, as opposed to doing what we want without guilt.  No matter how you explain it, we have to call it what it is – rebellion; we are made in God’s image, but we are definitely children of Adam.

All of that to say this:  as King David said, when I wake up, You are still with me!

The sun’s about up now, and with the light of dawn, my billions of cells, random thoughts, desires, plans, relationships, joys and sorrows all stand amazed in the reality that God still thinks about me, hopes for me, cares for and loves me…enough, certainly to have assembled me in the latter days of 1946 in my mother’s womb; and even more certainly, with his hands-on providence and presence today.

He’s still There!

For You Today

Take a walk through all you are today; check out the mud of your existence, along with the wind in your face as you’ve soared at times.  Even while you’re feeding the dog, He’s still there.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day. 

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[1] Title Image:  Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Listening To the Light

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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed?  Of course not!  A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.  For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.  Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”  Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear.  The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.  To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given.  But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”   Mark 4:21-25^NLT)

“Always ready” – that’s the man who was little of stature and big of heart.  Let me tell you how I think my friend Clarence Pugh was “always ready”:

Always Ready to Help-out

Clarence had just turned 85 when I met him.  That’s an age when most men are willing to let others do the work.  Yet, the next year, when the call went out for participants in our unusual pageant “Jerusalem Walk”, Clarence was among the first to volunteer.  

He didn’t know exactly what a “Jerusalem Walk” was, but he was ready to help out.  He was among the first to sign-up.  

And he volunteered for one of the “bad-guy” parts.  
He was willing to be the despised cross-maker who made the instrument of death for Jesus.  Not only that – he convinced his son-in-law to be his assistant.

He hardly knew what to say….but boy did that change.  Given half a chance, this quiet man from Franklinville would witness to a post.  He loved God and was ready to let anyone know just how good his God treated him. 

Always Ready to Pray

In decades of ministry I’ve had opportunity to see people at their worst and best.  I’ve heard most of the bad stuff people have ever done, (or just hadn’t gotten around to doing, but wishing they had).  One thing I’d never experienced is somebody jumping the gun on the preacher in prayer.  

I discovered just how impressively-ready was Clarence’s praying heart the first time I visited him at his home.  For some time he showed me the projects he and Mabel had crafted! 

When it was time for me to go I asked if we could have prayer together; he said, “That’ll be fine”.  We joined hands, bowed our heads and…before I could get out a syllable, Clarence began to pray.  Talk about a man ready to pray…we stopped probably 30 minutes later, after he’d prayed by name for most of the people we knew, as well as the president and his church, family, friends and half the county.  When he finally said “Amen” all I could say was “Uh-huh!”

Some prayers are designed in seminaries; some are formed in heaven and snuck into the hearts of those who are willing to be ready, instant, in-season and out, to give a witness of the hope that lies within. 

Clarence carved the lighthouse – a pretty close replica of the one at Currituck.  He gave it to me as a present a dozen years ago, and I carted it to worship this past Sunday to teach the children about being the “light of the world”.  Visiting that lighthouse last month on vacation made me think of my little cross-making, praying, always ready friend.  I miss his gentle spirit and kindness, but I have learned to listen to that light he carried around with him.

For You Today

Do you listen to the light? 

Good.  Just don’t put it under a basket; it’s meant to be shared!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day. 

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[1] Images:  Russell Brownworth (own work)

The Mystery of the Gospel

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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.  For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.  I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling.  And my message and my preaching were very plain.  Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.  I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.  Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.  No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.  But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.  That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit.  For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.   

1 Corinthians 2:1-10^NLT)

There are plenty of mysteries to go around:  Stonehenge, the Lost Day in Time, Creation, and the entire nature of eternity, time, space, and what makes humans tick.  One mystery that befuddles me more than anything is the deep mystery of connection with God, wrapped-up in the simplest tragic story of all, the crucifixion of God. 

This surprising/mystifying part of the Gospel is not just the fact that God desires to have us close, and wants to enjoy that fellowship, and give us His kind of joy.  It’s not just the fact that His perfect, sinless life was ended on a cross (although it is astounding that the creation would rise up so shamelessly against the Creator).  The crux of this mystery (for me) is that those two facts are in perfect harmony, totally-dependent upon each other; without the cross there is no fellowship – and without the heart’s-desire of God to be in fellowship with us, the cross makes no sense.

And then there is the mystery of how the sinless life, substitutionary death, and unmatched resurrection of Jesus…this Gospel…changes lives.  I (like you, perhaps) have sat in a stadium, listening to Billy Graham giving a simple Gospel message, uncomplicated, not new or startling, and seen thousands of people glued to every word.  Hundreds respond to the invitation to receive the Gospel and are changed.

Some have tried to explain it away as a sociological phenomenon of group hypnotism; the people expect to be confronted with change (for the good), so they respond.  Others are so desperate for a change they will respond to any promise.

But it was the same with the Apostle Paul; criticism came his way often and it was seldom to his face.  Mostly it was the mystery; when people don’t understand, they try to explain it away, or discredit the one who speaks it.

I never met Billy Graham personally, but I have seen that gift of evangelism working in the lives of several of my friends who have been faithful servants of God.  I have walked with them in neighborhoods talking to complete strangers about this mysterious Gospel and the Lord of that Gospel.  And I have witnessed a number of people respond to the simple message of faith, praying to receive Christ .  And while it is always a holy moment to see someone respond to the Lord, it is never less than a constant reminder that every moment you are with another human being is an opportunity to share that seed of faith, or water the seed someone else has planted, or be the harvester, leading someone to come to Christ.  For me, it is always a stark reminder that our time to share the Gospel is limited; this should be a front-burner issue for every follower of Jesus.

For You Today

In this 24 hour cycle of the sun rising, setting, and the night passing, you will have 1440 minutes of life; is it possible to spend just 5 of those minutes sharing Christ with someone?  Their eternity might be hanging in the balance.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day. 

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[1] Title Image:  By Florida Memory [No restrictions or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Seven Spirits of God

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Monday, May 28, 2018

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast.  The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”  And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.  The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian.  And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.  Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them.  They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder.  And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames.  This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.  In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.  In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.  The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.  Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out.  Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”  Revelation 4:1-8^NLT)

Sevenfold Spirit of God, four flying beings, their wings covered with eyes and an unending worship service – this is the imagery of a Stephen King movie! 

There is much about heaven of which we can only speculate.  God is, after all, mysterious and far above our pay grade to describe.  That being said, there are some bits and pieces we can string together to understand the multiple meanings passages such as this communicate.  Not the least of these messages is the holiness of God which is to be imposed upon God’s creation in the time to come.

John is given a vision of the throne room and the glory of God surrounding and filling the entire space.  There are elders – representative of the ancient twelve tribes, and the New Covenant Apostles.  These are gathered around the throne while the choir four living beings with ferocious animal-like faces, and eye-covered wings, encircle the whole scene with glorious and unending praise to Yahweh, enternal God, flanked by seven torches, the sevenfold light of God’s eternal Spirit, flashing, rumbling like thunder, with the chorus chanted over and over:  Holy, Holy, Holy!

Many have undertaken the explanation of God’s sevenfold Spirit.  Some of these interpretations include the 7 characteristics of God’s nature.  Others include the work of the Holy Spirit, some with allusions to the churches on earth. 

As to which of these (if any) are God’s intended, I only have impressions that are, as yet, unresolved.  I lean towards the character attributes, wisdom, honor, truth, and so forth.  Perhaps combinations or pieces of these explanations may be simple glimpses or perspectives of that which is indescribable in our present human condition…as I said previously…above our ability.

But those distinct impressions push me to join the choir.  Whatever this total scene in heaven portrays, what transcends to my mind is the holiness of God, and the centrality of all creation falling down in worship before Him.

Much of what we understand as our duty in the here and now, as we prepare for the then and there, is to learn to worship and praise God.  And when I read about that I realize my life as a follower of Christ is sifting me year after year, slowly conforming me into the image of the One who showed us the holy pattern of true life – worship.  It is times like this when it becomes agonizingly clear that my feeble attempts to lead worship are just that – woefully inadequate in the presence of almighty, eternal, living God.  If it were not for His condescension to enter a manger and hang on a cross, I would have no hope of surviving being within a million light years of the throne.  I think I’m beginning to understand how Peter felt when the vastness of Jesus dawned on him:

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”  Luke 5:8^(NLT)

For You Today

Can we ever understand it all?  Maybe a better question is:  can we ever be bored in worship again?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day. 

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[1] Title Image:  Courtesy Pixabay.com

The Practicing Christian Series #1. Living Godly in a Godless Culture

Since  the new millennium began about 26 million Americans tuned their TV’s to CBS to watch Survivor.  One of the 16 castaways attempting to be the lone survivor who would walk away with a million dollars was a 24-year-old youth ministries major from Seattle Pacific University named Dirk Been.  

When Been’s group of contestants was told they could bring one luxury item to the remote island in the South China Sea, Dirk Been took his Bible.  I couldn't imagine not having my quiet time with the Lord for a single day, let alone thirty-nine, he said. Being forced to eat beetle larvae was not the most difficult ordeal Dirk had to face on the island. The hardest aspect of being marooned on a remote island was not having anyone around who shared his beliefs. The spiritual isolation was tortuous.  He said:  The other members of the Tagi and Pagong tribes couldn't understand where I was coming from. When faced with the tensions of insufficient food and sleep (not to mention members of your tribe stabbing you in the back in an attempt to win a million dollars), I didn't have someone I could really open up to and pray with.

Fortunately for Dirk, he felt the support of family and friends at home praying for him each day.  The day before he left for Malaysia, about 70 members of his Church gathered around him to pray for his health and safety.  It was awesome!  Dirk recalls.  And it didn't end there. Even though I was alone and lonely as the sole Christian, I felt the presence of the Lord in incredible ways.^[1]  

(I have to admit, I’ve never watched a single episode of Survivor.  Stupid human behavior, backstabbing and big-time in-your-face attitudes sounded too much like Jerry Springer or Judge Judy for my taste.)

There is another ongoing survivor event, the survivorship of genuine Christian living in an increasingly postmodern, and even hostile, anti-Christian world.  People with commitment to follow Jesus Christ unreservedly are something of an endangered species.  The world views committed disciples of Jesus as dinosaurs; we are like outdated and disconnected Neanderthal thinkers in a space-age, Internet era. 

Do you feel that way about you living in this world?  One person said it well, If you feel content in this moral darkness, you might be part of the darkness! 

There is a truth to those negative statements.  While we don’t care to dwell in the negative, the reality is glaring: 

a.  This is not a Christian world

b.  This is not a Christian country

c.  Randolph County is not a Christian county

And so, the proposition before the house this morning:

If you are a Christian, committed to following Christ, you will find some tough roads ahead.  You will be in the minority, and the world won’t care that you don’t like it!

If you find yourself in that category, there is some really good news for you.  It is found in the book we will study this Summer – The Epistle of James.  This is the Christian Survival Manual.  It is all about being a Godly person in a Godless culture. 

James has the kind of practical advice you need; he tells us important things a Christian worldview needs, and about attitudes and convictions a Christian must possess – actions we must take – if we are to be survivors, practicing Christian disciples in a world that is spiritually stone cold dead!

Consider some of James’ advice we will study:

1.      How to have joy in the midst of your trials

2.      How to grow strong in your faith.

3.      How to hang in there, when your “hanger” is broken.

4.      How to love others, and not lose it

5.      How to control your tongue so you can act wisely.

6.      How to make morally wise decisions.

7.      How to be unselfish, and still contented.

8.      How to be patient!

9.      How to pray and see real answers

If those sound like some helpful topics for Christian living, well – you’re on the right track.  Join with me and be a survivor – a practicing Christian disciple!

Here are three realities you can count on about being a practicing Christian follower of Jesus Christ:

1.           Christian Survivors know the Owner of the island.

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.  Greetings!  James 1:1^(NLT)

James is the younger (half) brother of Jesus Christ.  Six months before the cross and resurrection, he wasn’t even a believer.  Yet in this epistle he calls himself a servant of God and the Master, Jesus.  The word is doulos or bond-slave.  It is the word you would use to describe someone who voluntarily chooses to enslave himself to another. 

James was doubtless one of the 500 who saw the resurrected Jesus, and became a believer.  He later became pastor at Jerusalem, and presided over the Jerusalem council mentioned in Acts.  His life was profoundly changed from one who thought his brother was crazy, to one who willing to be (and was) martyred for his brother.  James was a Christian survivor – he knew the Owner of the Island!

It is important to see this incredible focus on being committed to serving Christ in this epistle James wrote.  In it are more than 60 imperative commands.  And there are only 108 verses in the whole book.  It’s like every other sentence James is telling us to follow the same road of commitment to the One who owns the island. 

There are some pretty life-altering decisions to make if you take him seriously.  And so, at the outset of this study, in the spirit of full disclosure, let me be honest here to announce that investigating James, with the intention of obeying God with whatever we find out, can be extremely hazardous to the health of anyone playing at discipleship. 

However, any believer who knows the Owner of the island also knows He demands loyalty from would-be survivors:

No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.  Matthew 6:23^(NLT)

So, if this morning you cannot say for certain that you have nailed down your relationship to the Owner – a saving relationship in Christ, based on His sacrifice on the cross for you, then the first step is still before you in becoming a Christian survivor – you need to be saved.  Tell Him you repent of sin, you want to be His child. 

Then, publicly take your stand with Him at the close of this service.  There will be an invitation time, and you will be invited to come to Christ, accept His name.  You can identify with Him in public Christian baptism. 

That’s how you get to be friends with the Owner of the island.  First we know him…

2.           Christian Survivors know the value of difficult times.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  James 1:2-4^(NLT)

There is a difference between troubles that tempt us and those which test us.  The “troubles” of our text refers to a test; like when you get behind the wheel in a car you’re thinking about buying; it’s a test drive.  God never tempts us ^{(see James 1.13).}  Years ago my seminary professor, Dr. Graham, shared that difference with his class.  He said that an easy way to remember the difference between a tempting and a testing is:

a temptation is from Satan, and it is designed to make you fall;

a test is from God, and is designed to make you stand tall!

So, when you have a difficult time before you, pay close attention which direction you’re being driven.  If you’re being driven to fall-away from God and His kingdom, then it is designed to make you fall – a temptation!  On the other hand, if the difficult time creates a desire to find God’s direction – to compel you to prayer, and fellowship with believers for comfort, and Bible study for answers, that’s a test from God designed to make you stand tall.  God is doing something; THAT’S why you can rejoice!

Mike Huckabee, Southern Baptist Pastor-turned-Governor tells about …a pastor in Florida who used to have count-it-all-joy parties every now and then.  He so believed this verse, that when he would face a difficult situation, he would call friends over to his house.  He'd say:

I want you to come over to my house for a party.  

They'd say, Oh, is it a birthday? Did you get a promotion?  What's the situation?  

Well, he'd say, I'm going through this incredibly difficult crisis right now, and I'm having a count-it-all-joy party.  We're going to celebrate the difficulty, because I know that this difficulty is going to bring something of special value to my life.   I don't know what it is yet, but I want you to come and count it all joy with me.

Have any of you ever thrown a count-it-all-joy party?  I haven't either.  

To tell you the truth, it's tough to consider troubles joy, because it hurts. Yet it's important to realize that unless we go through some test, we will never know what our faith is made of. ^[2]

It is hard to accept the difficult times, but becoming mature in the faith demands those times.  The Message New Testament translates verse 4 this way:

So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.  James 1:4 (^TMNT)

We may kick and groan about difficulties in our lives, but often that is what God is using in His perfect way to change us into His useable servant. 

Christian survivors know the Owner of the Island, and the value of difficult times, and…

3.           Christian Survivors trust God.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.  Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.  James 1:5-8^(NLT)

There is a certain abandoning of ourselves – putting-aside our options when it comes to really trusting God.  The Lord is pleased to give us wisdom and all the help we need.  Did you know that God isn’t into making us guess; He wants us to have His wisdom.  The King James Version says God won’t upbraid when you ask for wisdom. 

Literally translated from the language of the New Testament, that means God won’t make fun at you when you ask. 

However, receiving that wisdom does come with a price.  If we are going to have His wisdom, we must trade in ours.  That means setting-aside our prerogatives and agenda, and being obedient to Him, because trusting God, is all about Christian (Christlike) living.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:5-6^(NLT)

When you trust Him, it means you take your stand with Him – publicly, privately, and any other way He demands. 

The personal cost of trading your wisdom for God’s is total trust; and THAT is no small price!  It’s pretty easy to “trust in the Lord with all your heart” when everything’s going your way.  But there are times when things come unglued, and you want to fall back into a nice, safe, “hidey-place” all secure, safe, warm, and comfy. 

Now, some of us even get that way before our world comes apart.  For me, it’s the limbo place of not-knowing what’s coming; I just hate not knowing!  Just tell me it’s the worst…or the best; just don’t tell me to wait!

Many of you are aware that the throat cancer I went through last summer qualified me for Veteran’s Benefits.  It seems “Agent Orange” in Vietnam caught up with my vocal cords, and while I was going through 28 rounds of radiation we started receiving a temporary benefit until they could categorize my status.  This past week Uncle Sam called me in for that evaluation.

I was nervous about the limbo of not knowing; what they were going to say:  since the radiation worked, you don’t need a pension?  Or, were they going to open Uncle Sam’s arms and pocket book, making my retirement plans a lot easier?  This is the kind of thing about which I normally obsess.  I go to sleep wondering.  I wake up every hour worrying, and get up in the morning moody and distracted.

And that’s really good for a pastor who is supposed to be an encourager to the flock to have faith; cast all your cares on Him…take it to the cross and leave it there!

Well, here’s what happened.  I confessed my unbelief to God; I gave it to the Lord with a promise that I would take a deep breath and allow Him to take over my worries. 

The appointment with the VA happened, and the doctor told me that since this type of cancer, caught this early, rarely returns, my “disability” had disappeared.  Now, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but you don’t have to have an interpreter for this one.  No disability means no pension…thank you for your service; you’re on your own!

After the appointment Elizabeth and I went to lunch at Panera Bread and thanked God for His kindness to us and how He has provided for us through the thick and thin of 5 decades of life together. 

Now that doesn’t sound like the success story that usually goes along with a sermon; except for the fact that success is not to be found in having a pension or not having pension; success can’t be found in an easy retirement or pinching pennies.  Success in this answered prayer was that I didn’t think about the situation the rest of the afternoon and night.  In fact, I didn’t think about the pension or no pension thing until the next afternoon when I was trying to think deeply about what I’d tell you today about trusting in the Lord.  That’s when it hit me square in my dull little mind that I had just lived what you needed to hear.  I trusted Him, and he overcame the biggest spiritual battle I ever have…my own lack of faith.  He gave me faith to rest in His promises!

Here’s the way the apostle Paul puts it:

 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7^(NLT)

And so, it’s decision-time, and we need to ask the questions:

Do you want to be a survivor?  Do you need help living Godly in a Godless culture?

·      If so, you have to ask the Owner – it’s His island!

·      If so, you will learn the value of difficult times – it’s His wisdom!

·      If so, you will have to learn to let go and trust – it’s His way!

Be a survivor!  Let the peace of God that the world can’t possibly know guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Let the church say “Amen”!

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[1] Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, Illinois; source: phone interview© 2000 PreachingToday.com / Christianity Today, Inc.

[2] Mike Huckabee, Practice of Patience, Preaching Today, Tape No. 78.