I love you Pa

 ¹ I love you, LORD, my strength. ² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:1-2

When the boys stay overnight they get up very early.  Usually I try to ignore them by placing a pillow over my head and letting Mary get up to deal with them.  For some reason I chose to arise and help with them so I ended up reading to Gray while he sat on my lap.  As he got down to get another book he said, “I love you, Pa.”  He said nothing more; simply “I love you, Pa.”  That out of the blue, random statement by my grandson touched my heart and made my day.  

David sang Psalm 18 after the Lord delivered him from his enemies.  It is a song of gratitude for God saving him in the midst of danger.  It is a good thing when we thank God for seeing us through difficult times. Sometimes however, I think God wants to hear  what all parents (and grandparents) want to hear.  The random, out of the blue voice that says, “I love you Pa.”

Remember to turn right

Pastor Ray 

Wrath and Repentance

“Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth…Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”  Romans 2:2,4

During the services last weekend the text spoke of God’s wrath and judgment. It is amazing to me that when God’s judgment, wrath and anger are shared alongside God’s kindness, forbearance and patience that people respond with repentant hearts.  How will we respond to those who are repentant and willing to change if we have been hurt by their actions?  Will we respond with forgiveness or will we become those who show contempt for God’s riches and thus find ourselves in need of repentance?  The truth is that only those who have experienced Grace through repentance are able to extend it to others. 

Remember to turn right,

Ray

Prepared for War

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph. 6:13

At lunch the other day I was talking with a friend about life and the difficult things we all go through.  In response he mentioned Israel and the mindset everyone seems to possess about life and the possibility of attack at any moment and how they are prepared for it to happen. I saw this first hand on a trip to Israel a couple of years ago with very young men and women carrying machine guns and the intense security wherever we journeyed. 

Scripture uses the metaphor of warfare to remind us that we also live in a constant state of war and that attacks of the enemy are inevitable.  Instead of being surprised when bad things happen we are to be prepared (Eph 6:10-18) and ready to respond not in fear but by faith in Christ who has already purchased our victory.

Remember to turn right,

Ray 

I Pledge Allegiance….

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”  1 Peter 1:17 (NIV)

To me this is the greatest country on the planet and to live here is a privilege.  I have been to other countries and there is nowhere I would rather call home.  But according to Scripture we who are Christ followers at best carry dual citizenship and our primary allegiance should be to the country (Kingdom) of God.  Nations will always be in a state of flux subject to the whims and desires of humanity but the kingdom of God is steadfast and will remain forever. 

Who Is To Blame?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”  Matt. 6:19 (NIV)

In one of the services last week I made reference to a lending institution whose stock went up after an infusion of capital by a very famous investor.  I followed it with an unflattering comment about the bank that in hindsight was unnecessary.  In any company or profession there are unscrupulous people whose greed can destroy lives.  At the same time there are people who work very hard to provide services to people with integrity and the best of intentions.  In our anger at the “thieves” let’s remember the good people doing the best they can day to make things right.   

A Normal Life

At the end of the movie Tombstone Doc Holliday asks Wyatt Earp what he ever wanted and Earp replied, “Just to live a normal life.”  Holliday’s response was this, “There’s no normal life, Wyatt, its just life.  Get on with it.”  

As I read Eccl. 3:1-8, I find that Doc is right; there is no such thing as a normal life.  There is simply life with its share of joys and sorrows and instead of wishing for something different let us “Get on with it.” Paul echoed these words when he said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 3:12).  

Pray with me, “Father, this day, I choose to press on.  Whatever life brings I will press on in Christ Jesus who has taken hold of me.  I will not wait for normal, I will not wait for better, and I will not wait for perfect.  I choose to “get on with it,” today.
 
Remember to turn right,
 
Ray