Til The Storm Passes By

Lately it seems we have had our fair share of storms in our lives hasn't it. In Alabama, we had a record number of tornadoes on April 27th that destroyed businesses, houses, churches, and most notably, took people's lives. Now, we are seeing a replay of this bad memory in Joplin, Missouri. The sifting through debris, the cries, the blank stares as people walk around....are all too eerily familiar. They wonder why this happened? Why didn't God protect them? Why me? Why, Why, Why?

Similar questions are asked by the 34 year old father of 3 young children after he finds out that he has stomach cancer. The whirlwind of cancer is a totally different storm, but the questions are the same. Why, Why, Why?

Only one knows the answers to these questions. However, James chapter 1 gives us some guidance on how we should react during these storms...... "2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

The fact that you are still here tells you that God isn't finished with you yet. He's just working on you. He's preparing you for HIS work. We all have a purpose in this life. That purpose just might be showing others how CALM you can be during your life's STORM. That purpose just might be helping someone get through their STORM in life because you've been through a similar STORM in your own life.

Storms come and go, but God is constant. His ways are higher than our ways. He sees and knows the future and just as we tell our kids..."this is for your own good," the same holds true for us. Even though it pains Him to see us suffer, He knows that he can use this storm for HIS good in the future.

No matter what type of storm you have endured in life, take shelter in God. Read His words, pray to Him, and look for ways to glorify Him no matter your storm in life. He will keep you safe til the storm passes by!

Joy To The World

Do you have anyone in your life that just exudes joy 100% of the time? Well, I do. There is a little guy at our congregation that has the biggest smile on his face all the time. I mean "ALL THE TIME." Every time I see him, he smiles that huge grin and says with sincere joy...."Hey Mr. Marty, How are you?" We exchange our usual conversation... I tease him about girls and his new found mustache and then we talk about Alabama sports. He never fails to make me smile. I look so forward to saying hello to him b/c his attitude is so contagious. Even my 12 year old son said, "you know dad, you can't help but be in a good mood around that guy." So, our little buddy doesn't even know it, but he is affecting so many people in a positive way by sharing his God given joy with others.

God wants the same for us. It is so easy to let the circumstances of the day take control of our attitude. Happiness and sadness are really based on short term situations/circumstances. The trouble is that we allow those short term "feelings" to become our long term outlook. No matter our situation, God wants us to have joy and exude joy. The joy comes from knowing we are in His hands and that He will work things out for the best as we travel towards our eternal home. Joy is God’s gift to every believer. It is the fruit that His Spirit produces within you (Galatians 5:22) from the moment you receive the Gospel (John 15:11). This joy increases as you study and obey God’s Word (1 John 1:4).

We can affect so many people in a more positive way if we choose to be joyful no matter our situation. It really is contagious. Showing and spreading joy may be one of the best ways to show Christ's living example to others. No matter what your current situation may be, make the effort today to be joyful and see what a difference it makes! God Bless!

Frogitude!

Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs....who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower
to see the race and cheer on the contestants.... The race began... Honestly: No one in the crowd really believed that
the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top." or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!" The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one.... Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher....The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher.... This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower.
Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort,
was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to
know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out.... That the winner was DEAF!!!! The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic....because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have.

Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions! Therefore: ALWAYS be....POSITIVE!And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams! This is from an email I received, but thought it very worthy to share...