Trust in God's Guidance...

Well, life doesn't always go the way you plan but that is when you need to trust God. God is truly Immanuel, God-with-us, when life is not going well. My call at the FPC Palatka church will stop by the end of the month. I know God has a plan for another church for my wife Michelle and I to go to in the future. I continue to ask for God's guidance in our lives, in the search, and wherever God leads us in the future.

Thanks be to God! Phil <><

All I Ever Needed To Know I Learned from My Cat...

There is a famous book about everything the author ever needed to know they learned in kindergarten. I would argue also that everything I ever needed to know I learned from my cat. My cat Cedrick is our resident Zen master. Cedrick sleeps most of the day but when Cedrick is awake he usually focuses on one thing and one thing alone. Cedrick doesn't worry about tomorrow or what he is going to do later; He only concerns himself with the present moment. Too many times we as people are consumed by our past as well as our future while living in the present. We need to focus on the present day and present moment because that is ultimately the only thing we can control. So be like a cat and focus on the present; the future will take care of itself.

Divisions in Our Country

I wonder where our country is as we approach the National Election next Tuesday. There is so much hate and division within our country right now. It doesn't matter whether or not you are voting for Obama or McCain because it looks as if our country will still be divided even after the election. The book of Ephesians says we are to be one...Faith, Baptism, Community. One...I think the most important issue in this election season is how we can be one. I imagine as God looks down on the earth right now that God is not happy with how God's people are treating each other; so much for loving your neighbor as yourself. My hope and prayer for our nation is to focus on loving each other with the same intensity as we despise others during this election season. God is good...all the time. Amen.

Quiet Assurance...

I commented the other day about the hectic world around us which never rests. It is hard to be in the world and not of the world but that is the challenge which God has placed before us. I have experienced this challenge working in the church. Budgets are tight, people are worried about their jobs, and nothing in the national news seems to be going well. The challenge is seeking out quiet assurance. We must seek out and believe in the quiet assurance of God for us. We cannot control the world around us but through prayer, we can a little more confidence through the power of the Holy Spirit. My encouragement to you today is to have "quiet assurance" in what God has done, is doing, and will do in your life. Amen.

Patience...

I can't help but think about how patience would help so much of the world. We live in a "me" society which strives for instant self-gratification and patience is the farthest thing from their minds. The problem with the stock market and losing retirement money makes many of us worry about tomorrow. Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew worrying will not add one more day to your life and the answer to worrying is patience. Be patient when the day is not going the way you planned. Be patient when your spouse or family member doesn't seem to understand you. Be patient when you pray to God and God doesn't answer your prayer right away. Patience is how we can train ourselves to listen to each other and to God. May God give you the patience you need this day.

Courage, Phil <><