Russell said: “I was putting my nose to the spud, working my nostrils to win the race. Just as I neared the finish line, a potato went flying past me. No mortal nose could send a spud flying with such velocity. It was obvious to me what happened. Larry Davies, our minister, our moral example, cheated. Instead of pushing with his nose, he picked up the potato and threw it toward the finish line.”
Occasionally, there are life-changing moments when God’s extraordinary light suddenly shines into our darkest need and the only word that adequately describes what happens next is — miracle.
On the side of the road, they came upon an old-fashioned, fire-engine red, hand water pump. The car screeched to a halt and they both ran to the pump. John grabbed the handle and began to furiously work it up and down… no water. “What’s wrong with this thing? Why won’t it work?”
“Why, What If, If Only” was developed by Grief Care Fellowship, people who lost loved ones and navigated through the maze of hurt and heartache caused by grief. Like many of us, they have experienced deep emotional pain. Their encouragement will enable others to find hope.
What great service would I accomplish today? Write a stimulating devotion that would inspire hundreds of lost souls? Teach a Bible study to a spiritually hungry group of disciples? A look at my schedule would reveal my first task for God. Surely there would be a special job befitting the role of spiritual leader. My first appointment? “Take the dog to be clipped and dipped.”
“Here’s my honest take. I live in a bustling house. There are five of us in a relatively small space. Our schedules run from 5:30am until the wee hours. My problem is trying to fit in a quiet time. There just isn’t one. I do pray daily but it isn’t the meditation that I would like. Not complaining but sincerely looking for practical suggestions.”
In this year of “COVID-19,” how can we still know God is there and answers our prayers? Is God listening? How can I tell? Even after years of church attendance and reading the Bible many people still have basic questions when it comes to prayer.
Every problem can teach something or be a stumbling block. The choice is up to me, so my really persistent problems only have one name and that is, (gulp) Larry.
The dictionary defines trust as: “a confident reliance on the integrity, honesty or justice of another.” Trust for me was a confident reliance on the skills of my dentist.
As peacemakers, we can lead our churches in a divided and turbulent environment. Churches should be a sanctuary where people who act and think differently feel safe to discuss, explore and even change. A church is where God provides guidance in the midst of complex and often painful issues. A church is where God provides comfort and grace in the midst sin and strife.