life is difficult

Pain. Celebration. Death. Answers. Stress. Peace. Addiction.

Those words pass through my mind on just about a daily basis. As a pastor I meet people in all areas of life. Some are celebrating the big days or the great wins while others are mourning the loss of family or the battle of some sickness or addiction.

Honestly, there aren’t many answers apart from our faith. Life is difficult.

You turn on the news or scroll through Facebook this past Saturday and see the horror of a shooting at a Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh where many lives were lost. Sad. No answers. Monday morning there is a blurb and not too many hours from us where a student was shot at a school in Charlotte before the school day begins. Sad. That ought not to happen.

Today is Halloween. For children is a day where smiles and candy are plenteous. Yet it is a day that often celebrates darkness, demons and anything but God. By the way, we can turn anything toward God. Use your voice, use your opportunities every day to share what Jesus has done in your life. Even on Halloween, as we will in our church parking lot tonight, share Jesus and love people.

A text message comes in late last evening about a young man in our community battling hard with addiction. I see this often and almost daily the impact of poor choices, broken lives and much loss due to addiction. The pain that comes to all involved is real and leaves deep scars.

How do we deal with these things? We must and always turn toward God and walk His direction.

Proverbs 3:6 NASB

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NLT

God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB

for we walk by faith, not by sight—

John 14:27 NASB

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Choose life. Choose Jesus. Don’t let the pain or suffering or complexity of living turn down the light God has given you. Be love and light for others today!

NOTE... Pray for the MCCC (Martinsville Community Collaborative Care) Medical and Dental FREE outreach this Saturday from 8am until 3pm at First Methodist Martinsville’s Uptown Ministry Center.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog