surprise solutions

We live in a difficult day. Through the current pandemic we have been rocked in so many ways, and it goes very deep for our families, our churches, and each of us personally.

Through in the mix there is racial unrest due to the death of a black man at the hand of white police officers in Michigan. My heart hurts for this situation and our world. We are still impacted by so many other things.

That is why I take some time today to remind us to … pray and be kind.

Those two things go a long way. Pray for yourself and others. Pray for the world situation as well as leaders from local, to national and beyond. Be kind to others. Kindness puts things in perspective and even allows you to focus on what really matters.

Titus 3:4-5 NASB

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Here is a powerful email from Margaret Feinberg, one of my favorite writers. This caught my attention, and I believe it will bless you deep inside!

God specializes in surprise solutions.

The pandemic has pressed many of us into a corner -- in our relationships, marriages, finances, and health. No one is completely unscathed.

I don't know what corner you find yourself in today.

Perhaps you can't pay your mortgage. You don't know where your next paycheck is coming from. You can't be around certain friends right now. Your marriage is feeling shaky. You don't know if school will return this fall or where you will live. You're not sure it's safe for you to go out. You feel lonely, vulnerable, or abandoned.

No matter what corner you find yourself backed in, God specializes in surprise solutions.

Noah was saved by a wooden rectangular box.

Abram was set free by leaving everything he'd ever known.

Isaac was rescued by a last-second divine interruption.

Joseph was kept alive by some meandering merchants.

Elijah was fed by a raven, a heavenly form of Uber Eats.

The widow was sustained by a cupboard full of jars.

David was victorious through a handful of pebbles.

Jesus overcame by death and darkness by the most shocking means, sacrificing his life for ours.

No matter what corner you find yourself backed into, remember God arms are not too short to pull you out. The solution probably isn't going to come in the way you expect or it has in the past.

Rest assured, God has good things up his sleeve for you.

(for more from Margaret go to her website https://margaretfeinberg.com)

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

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