Safety

(so my daughter Abby suggested the topic for this one!)

Safety

The entire family was mesmerized yesterday by the incredible bravery of wirewalker Nik Wallenda. Wallenda traveled 1,400 feet across an Arizona canyon without a net or safety harness between him and the ground 1,500 feet below. The combination of God-given ability, training, planning, and engineering led to the successful crossing. His faith obviously played a part as well with Wallenda spending the majority of the walk praying and praising God. His quote before hand, “I don’t believe God keeps me on the wire…but I know where I’m going if I fall.”

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, 
make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

Responsibility for Nik’s safety lies with his father, who heads up all safety and rigging related activities. He knows unequivocally that his father will do everything in his power to watch his back.  He knows that the path across the divide will be as safe as it can possibly be, allowing him to focus on the task of putting one foot in front of the other.

Our heavenly father exists in a very similar role for those who trust in him.  His power overcomes the forces that may oppose us.  His strength is perfect when we are weak.  He makes our paths straight so we can focus on getting to the far side of our obstacles.

We can count on him for our safety!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 14

Where are we going?

(it is a wonderful place to live... but really? no job?)

Where are we going?

Since relocating to North Carolina I have met more than a few people who picked up and moved here without a concrete job opportunity to come to.  Some are singles, but a surprising number are actually families.  They tired of the weather or high cost-of-living in other parts of the country so they sold businesses, quit jobs, packed up and moved south, trusting that something would turn up quickly.  I’m pretty certain I could not have done it that way.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

The folks I’ve met may have moved “by faith”…faith in the economy, faith in their skills or even faith that God was calling them to something different.  But none of it compares to what Abraham did.  Abraham didn’t have the opportunity to visit his new home on vacation.  He couldn’t compare the cost-of-living, crime statistics or annual weather patterns on the Internet.  Instead, he left his homeland in Ur simply because God told him to.  The Lord’s promise of blessing and provision was enough.

Can we have that much faith around the important issues of life?  Can we hear God speaking to us through scripture and prayer and have that be enough?  Can we truly step into the unknown “by faith” trusting that the Lord will provide and bless our obedience?

I think I could do that…

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 13

Daddy's voice

(I think they also snagged some candy from his stash)

Daddy’s voice

Our church’s main location is a converted warehouse and, as such, the majority of the “hallways” are actually sidewalks in the great outdoors.  To extend the worship experience to those moving about, the external speakers now broadcast the service as it’s happening.  This past week the pastor’s two daughters were passing through the green room off stage and stopped short…”is that Daddy’s voice outside? People sure like to hear his voice!”  It was a voice they knew well… but in an unexpected place.

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” 1 Kings 19: 11-13

There is no question that God can speak to us in the midst of tumult and then use those circumstances to increase and mold our faith.  But too often we see that as the only time and place where God can speak.  Like Elijah, we can also hear the voice we know well in a gentle whisper…after or apart from the commotion and disruption. It might be that the most important teaching of all is in that small voice.

Listen well!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 12

Confidence

(be confident... not cocky)

Confidence

My wife and I attended a big time country music concert to kick off the summer season this year.  It's been a long time since we had been out to such an event and it really was a great time with a packed amphitheater and outstanding weather.  Not surprisingly there were many contrasts between the opening act and the headline performer.  The most fascinating was the difference in attitude.  The openers dressed edgier, had more outlandish hair and were more demonstrative in their stagecraft to try and connect with the audience. The headliner was completely different.  This group was confident and professional. The musicians dressed more conservatively, the singer was comfortable in his status as a hit maker and solos were played with an emphasis on the music and not the musician.  

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

How do the people we come into contact with in our Christian walk view us?  Are we edgy or demonstrative in ways that bring attention to ourselves?  Or are we comfortable in our relationship with God in a way that allows a focus on the Savior and not the saved.  Do we avoid the tough questions?  Or are we confident in the promise of grace to help us in the time of need? 

Be bold…be confident!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 11