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.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

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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