This has been a very trying week for me, not only was I challenged to evaluate my life but also challenged to overcome some obstacles that were placed in my path. Many of my readers know of my on and off relationship with Annette and how if often turns my life upside down. I love her more than anything on this Earth and will do anything to help her. I also know for a fact that she returns my love in equal measure. However, being recently divorced she does not truly know her own heart and until she does, a relationship will never work between us. We struggle with our love for one another until a chasm separates us. For her, as a friend or as a significant other, I will stand up for until the very end. For the critics of her, take note I will brook no slander. Only for God and my mother will I fight harder. We as Christians, like Christ himself, are called to forgiveness and I will hold each of you to that standard. As for me and Annette being a couple, that page of my life is done (at least for now). Now I must move on to other opportunities but I will defend her all the same. As for my other obstacle, I may soon lose my job due to the economy. I was very upset at first but gradually accepted it as God’s will in my life. I know that He has a greater plan for me that He will reveal according to His timing.

            As I was writing this, I was thinking about my Sunday School lesson from this week as well as one from last week. My Teens have been learning about the life of Moses from his birth to the time of the Israelites journey in the desert. Moses’ story fits so well with my trials that I would be remiss not to mention it. Moses faced many challenges in his life from infant to prophet. The female Hebrews were told to cast the newborn male children into the Nile. Moses’ mother obeyed but placed Moses in a basket. Moses was exiled into the desert but found refuge. He was away from his people but found his God (I am who I am). He thought he could not fulfill God’s plan for him but God provided courage and support. Moses followed God’s plan with faith through rebuke and scorn allowing God to free his chosen people. Don’t you think God has an amazing plan for each of us as well? If we only take the time to listen as well as submit to God’s plan for us. Each of us is faced a choice every second of every day. Submit to God’s will and allow Him to work through us to change the world. God may not choose us to become prophets like he did Moses but he has something special in store for each and every one us. Remember that we are to be proclaimers of God’s holy word. We must not only proclaim his Word but live out the Word in our lives.

Blessings and Love,

Steve

 With the tropics really active over the past two weeks it is easy to get concerned over the many things a person who has to do prepare for the oncoming storm. Some us, including myself, get worked up and wonder how we are going to get everything done. Some take it to the point, that we become a “storm” ourselves and we often do not see the damage we do, not only to others but to our-selves. With the frantic pace of today’s society and more attention paid to the world than to God, it easy to lose perspective as Christians. The slightest stumble or difficulty becomes a reason to worry or rage and the largest blessings are often taken as our due.

How often do we forget that God is the reason for living?

How often do we forget to give God his due?

        I can not lump all Christians in one category but many professing Christians today easily get up caught up in the tempests of everyday life and when a real tempest comes up they forget what to do. There are the steadfast, the faithful who put their full trust where it belongs but I see many who were once among the faithful falling in the trenches. Everyone knows when its starts to rain the trenches fill up pretty quick and it is hard to climb your way back out on your own.

        Since I have taken over the Teen Sunday School class, I have learned that some of the greatest things are not learned by just reading a book, even the Bible. First of all, we must develop or even redevelop our personal relationship with Christ, and through Him our relationship with God. When times are bad we should call on Him (need). When times are good we should call on Him (subsistence). Even when times are at their best we should call on Him (praise). Second, instead of just reading the Word, it is important to apply His Word to our daily lives. We need to get out of our churches and show the world that we are the Church by becoming doers of the Word. We must show compassion not only to those who need it, those who worship with us but also to those who wish us ill. No one was born wanting to be a sinner. Our greatest witness is showing Christ’s love to everyone. Let them see the love of Christ shine through no matter the circumstances.

 Jesus Calms the Storm

8:23-27 pp—Mk 4:36-41; Lk 8:22-25 8:23-27 Ref—Mt 14:22-33

^{Mt 8:23} Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 

^{Mt 8:24} Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 

^{Mt 8:25} The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

^{Mt 8:26} He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was answer.completely calm.  

^{Mt 8:27} The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” _

When the storms of life appear on your horizon, call on Jesus and he will aid you. It may not be the need you expect or desire but He will answer. It may be in a moment or a lifetime but He will answer.