Wow! 2016 is shaping up to
be quite a
year! We have a crucial presidential election this year. There is a major rise
in radical Islamist terrorism in many parts of the world. Racial strife has
resurfaced in this country. The world, as well as our own, economy is on shaky
footing. Russia, China, Iran and I.S.I.S. threaten the peace and security of
our world. According to some, both global warming and the rise of A.I.
(artificial intelligence) potentially threaten our very existence! Do I sound a
little like the proverbial “Chicken Little” who said, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling!” From the looks of things,
maybe it is!!
What’s a body to do? One
popular answer is to move to Colorado or Montana to find yourself and “inner
peace” or at least stockpile lots of food and ammunition there against the
coming catastrophe! Another answer is, “Don’t
worry, be happy!” “Just whistle a happy tune” as the song from Sound of
Music suggests and then utter Scarlett O’Hara’s words, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Another possibilty is to listen to all the
pundits on talk radio and television, read all the Facebook quips, newspapers
and magazines and obsess about the world situation,
In short, “Do worry, be
unhappy.”
Here are alternative ways
of dealing with the world situation that have been around for about two
thousand years:
“Trust
in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all
your ways acknowledge the Lord and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3,
5-7
“Do not
be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7
I know I have written this
before but it bears repeating.. God is in control!
Nothing happens that is
not sifted through His Hands. Nothing that is happening is taking Him by surprise.
Do you trust that? Do you believe He is intimately involved with the world and
even you in particular? Now, as the Bible says, “His ways are far above our
ways.” If we understood all that He is and all that He does, He would not be
God.
Be informed. Don’t hide
your head in the sand. Be involved. Do the work God has put before you with
excellence. Live life to the fullest, trusting in His loving kindness and
grace, enjoy every day! Seek to live and love like Jesus. Remember Jesus words,
“In this world you will have tribulation,
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
MINISTRY NEWS
I am so very grateful to
God for allowing me to serve Him through the vehicles of Net Work Ministries
and Young Life this year. I pray that what has been done through them has been
honoring to Him. I am so very grateful
to all of you who have supported me with your prayers, words of encouragement
and finances.
In the New Year, I will
continue to explore new ways of service to our Lord while remaining true to my
calling to Net Work and Young Life.
While I do realize that there are many worthwhile ministries that need
support, I would desire that you would prayerfully
consider continuing in whatever way the Lord would lead you to be involved with
my ministry to men and their families.
My Friday Morning Men’s
will continue to meet beginning its twenty forth year. We will continue to
discuss podcasts by Andy Stanley.
I plan to continue in my
role as volunteer chaplain to the staff of the Southeast Region of Young Life.
I pray that 2016 will be
the greatest year ever for each of you!
May you grow deeper in the
knowledge of God’s grace and love.
As Phillipians 1:3 says,:
I thank my God in all of my remembrances of (each of) you.”
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