Looking Back Helps Us Look Forward

You're driving down the interstate at the max speed allowed (and then some if you're honest), and just as you top the hill going down into a valley you notice a sea of red and blue flashing lights. Cars, trucks, and ambulances are packed together and are rapidly approaching as you begin the decent into the valley. You step on your brakes without hesitation and with full confidence believing that this mechanical system will enact the pads to grip your wheels and slow your car to a stop before you plow into the oncoming maze of idle vehicles. When you saw all the red and blue flashing lights, without thinking, you knew exactly what you had to do--step on the brakes! It was instinct. You didn't even give a thought to the fact that your brakes might not work. Why not? It was because you had used them so many times in the past and they worked perfectly. Each and every time you applied your brakes in the past, they worked to stop your car. So, at this moment, you had no reason to doubt they would work just as they had in the past. Right?

Well, many times in our lives we come upon crisis' in our lives. We are traveling down life's road at warp speed and without warning, boom! You're told you or a loved one has cancer, or you are fired from your job, or you find out that your spouse has been unfaithful, etc. What do you do at that point? Do you get down and give up? Do you blame God? Do you complain to everyone you know about how you were wronged? Do you rebel and seek to get revenge? What do you do?

What we should do is to remember that just like the confidence we have in our car's brakes, we can have confidence in our God. If you look back over your life, you will see that He has brought you through and over so many obstacles in the past. Remember that healthy child you have? God did that. Remember that meal that was delivered to your house when you were sick? God did that. Remember that friend that stopped by and cheered you up by laughing and telling of old stories? God did that too.

We can have the same confidence in God that we have in other areas of our lives. Our faith and confidence in our faith is fueled by looking back at our lives and reminding ourselves of how God has helped us in the past. "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 . Looking back helps us look forward!

So, the next time you apply your brakes in your car, let that be a reminder to you to trust God. If we can put that much trust in something that is man made, we can certainly put that and more trust into our Lord knowing that he has and will continue to care for us, his children.

God Bless!

3rd Annual Christ Over Cancer Day of Hope

September 25th at 2pm will be our 3rd annual Christ Over Cancer Day of Hope presented at Woodlawn Church of Christ in Florence, Alabama. Each year this event has grown and we are excited and expecting 2011 to be our most encouraging day yet. This year's event will again feature inspiring stories of hope told by Christian cancer survivors. Also Dr. Robert Mann, a well known Christian physician in Florence, AL, will be speaking on the role of medicine and spirituality. We will have uplifting and encouraging songs performed by CORNERSTONE singing group from Faulkner University. Finally, the 3rd edition of the Christ Over Cancer book will be available for the first time. The newest edition has more stories and devotional thoughts meant to give hope to those dealing with cancer.

We will have a great reception following the event where survivors, caregivers and others will have a chance to encourage and fellowship with one another. We hope you will be able to attend and, "Be prepared to be INSPIRED!" If you have any questions, please call us at 256.767.3170.

Its Great To See You Again

Last year when my family moved, we inherited a little black dog named Jake. Little Jake probably has more breeds in his DNA than Donald Trump has houses. Jake is a mutt if there ever was a mutt. He's never going to win a dog show and no one can accuse him of being the smartest tool in the shed. However, Jake packs more love in his 20 lb frame than most people could muster up in a lifetime.

Whether its raining, sleeting, snowing or sunny, when I pull in my driveway at home, Jake launches himself off the porch and runs to meet my car. He runs beside the car all the way to the garage with his tail wagging back and forth faster than a duck jumping on a june bug. Every single time I leave and come back, it is the same reception. He sits down in front of me with the most hopeful eyes when I get out of the car, just begging for me to spend time with him, to relax and love him. He gives me his utmost attention and there is no place he would rather be than sitting beside me on the steps giving me all the love that he has.

Wouldn't it be nice to have someone each day that is so happy to see you, talk to you , love you and spend time with you? Someone that doesn't carry grudges and only begs for our attention? God is that someone. He never gets tired of hearing you talk, He has endless amounts love and He is ALWAYS happy to see you and spend time with you. Whether you need a shoulder to cry on because of a health issue or someone to talk to when the kids have all gone off to college. He meets you every day, so happy to see you again and is begging for you to spend time with HIM! Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
So, spend some time today with God, you'll be happy you did.