"Fraidy Cat!"

How many times my brother would call me a "fraidy cat" I can't tell you, but I can certainly say there were times in my life when I was truly scared! What are you afraid of today as you sit and read this blog? Is it of heights, dogs, closed in spaces, spiders, or how about the dark?! Are you afraid of failure, losing, the recession we're going through right now, or maybe even dying? Well, whatever your fears may be today I'm here to tell you that there's a God who saves, comforts, and keeps you safe! As a matter of fact there's a passage in the book of Psalms that King David (my favorite Bible character) wrote when he was captured by the Philistines. OK, here's the man who killed their "secret weapon" Goliath, not to mention the thousands of men David and his army had slaughtered. Imagine how the Philistines must have felt after all the damage David had done to their army - what a prize to have this king's head on a "platter"! And put yourself In David's place - Knowing this is probably the end of your life. However, God had other plans for this man, (I Samuel 21, 22). After the Lord had delivered him he praised God and wrote Psalm 56, highlighting verses 3 and 4, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" So, here we are discussing the issue of fear. What do you do? Where do you go to find peace and safety? On whom do you call when you're afraid? Let's echo that phrase once again from Psalm 56, "I will not be afraid of what man can do to me!" Again, what are you running from right now that is making your life miserable and, basically, just unbearable? I encourage you to sprint to the arms of Jesus - He WILL rescue you, keep you, and protect you - for He is our Abba Father, (Daddy).

What's Your Worth? by Dan McDonald

If asked whether you could have a penny or a hundred dollar bill, the answer would, more than likely, be quite obvious. Undoudtedly, we would all choose the latter! That's because it's value is so great. Well, when it comes right down to you and me, who is of greater value? From God's frame of reference there is no difference between a penny or hundred dollar bill (he owns it all)- there is no difference between you and me as people (he created us all). However, humanly speaking, we place a higher value on certain people and choose to view others lower. It ought not to be that way - but it just is. More often than not, we blame this sort of thinking on our "flesh" or our human sinful nature. Well, no matter where we choose to place the blame, it is still sin. It doesn't matter what the excuse may be. Jesus was very clear on this issue when He said to love those who use and abuse you; Peter said to be subject even to those who are harsh; and James said not to be nice and respectful to the wealthy while dehumanizing the poor. I've learned in the past few years of ministry how important people really are - from the Pastor all the way to the "pew." We may say we appreciate someone - but how much do we truly value him/her as a person? There are times that I have carelessly hurt people because I've not honored them as I should; even my own family members. If you have ever felt dejected due to someone's words, actions, or lack thereof, that have made you feel worthless, believe me, you're not alone! Just remember our Lord's words in this beautiful passage: Matthew 6:25-30...25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you..." The next time you feel devalued, remember how much you mean to the One who created you - if our Father loves birds and flowers this much imagine how much more He loves you! You are of worth to Him

Storms! by Dan McDonald

Hail, snow, ice, rain, flood, fire, wind, sleet, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, cyclones, thunder, lightning, and many more are words we use to describe nature's storms and disasters. No matter who we are or where we live we have all experienced one or more of these. The Bible tells us that the rain falls on the just and the unjust...no one is exempt from the elements of the atmosphere. The same is true of "spiritual" storms or disasters in our lives. Saved or unsaved everyone will face a valley of despair. The question is, are we prepared? We must first know and understand that God's presence is all over the face of the earth and there is no place I can go where I don't feel it. Therefore, He is aware and even orchestrating the trials I face. This is quite a difficult concept for some to accept - I'm reminded of a song written by Matt and Beth Redman that echo the words of King David and is such a comfort when facing a situation too devastating for me to accept:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won't turn back, I know You are near.
And I will fear no evil, for my God is with me.
And if my God is with me, whom then I shall fear?

Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low.
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me.

It's wonderful that these words, although not new (Ps. 23), can be repeated over and over as a song of comfort and peace. I can rest assured that my Savior's arms are there to protect and guide me through worst of times and yes, even the best of times!