What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do

Jesus told them, “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust in me.” Jesus told them this immediately after telling them that he was about to leave this world.

No wonder their hearts were troubled. Wouldn’t you have been? I mean the one they thought was going to rescue them from Roman rule was leaving? The only thing they could hang their hat on was going away? The basis for their zeal was about to die. They didn’t know what to do.

I’ve been there. I’ve been there lately. I’m there now in some ways. I am really struggling with what to do. I see all around me the influence of Satan. He wants everything that I’ve worked for to crumble. He wants to ruin my day–every day and he really knows his business well.

I see him in my family, my church family, and the world all around me. His strategy is to divide. Just keep us split and he knows he can conquer. Let that person continue to unnerve me. Let lies spread like wild-fire. Allow a person who is innocent be accused. Any “little” thing he can do.

What I must continue to rely upon is the promise of Jesus. “Believe in God, believe also in me.” The word also says that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

I must trust. I must rely on Him. I must not give up on God. I know that in the end, He will be victorious. I just pray for this episode of my life to be over. I simply want peace. I want to have the peace that goes beyond all understanding again. I want to not be in turmoil. It is seemingly all around. I am overwhelmed. I feel consumed so much of the time.

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? TRUST

The Circle of Life

Today is usually my “off” day. I don’t know if there is ever a real off day for ministers, but today started that way. After a somewhat usual Tuesday morning, the afternoon turned into a couple of ministry opportunities.

First, I received a call yesterday that one of our Creekside family member’s daughter had her second baby. She had many complications during her pregnancy, but God blessed her through it and she had a beautiful baby girl. Zoey Breann Wilson weighed 6lbs and 8ozs. Ellen and I got to hold her today. We witnessed the beginning of a new life in this world.

This afternoon I received a call that one of our church family members had taken a turn for the worse and was in the ICU after suffering a fall last night. She took three stitches to the forehead, but that is the least of her problems. She has emphysema and they are not holding out much hope for her to live. Only God knows, but please pray for Ms. Francis Patterson. She is some better tonight.

The circle of life continues. “A time to be born a time to die.” That’s just the way of this world. We are not meant to live here forever. We are just passing through. When we see it that way, the things of this world don’t seem so wonderful. We learn that the only thing that matters is the fact that Jesus is our lord.

The Joy of Giving

This time of year is one of the best times to enjoy the promise of Jesus that, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Yesterday, I got to enjoy it in a way that was unique for me and brought me more pleasure that I’ve experienced in a while.

You may recall a blog of mine recently about Jon, the One-Arm Drummer. After preaching his funeral, his wife Carol talked to me about having some of his drum equipment. She was extremely generous to say the least. One of the things she wanted me to have was an old drum set that Jon used. This stuff was stored in an old conversion van in their yard. The van had a leak in it that they weren’t aware of and had leaked water into the floor tom. So, when I found this kit, I thought it was pretty much shot.

After getting it home and really looking at it, I thought I might salvage the old kit and possibly make something of it. I polished hardware, painted rims and inside the old floor tom and bought a few parts. Then it hit me. I’m giving drum lessons to one our young boys at church. I might could clean it up enough for him to have a starter kit. So I did.

In the process of all of cleaning, I started researching on the internet the era from which this kit originated. I learned that it was a 1960’s model Ludwig kit. It was one of the same model kits that Ringo Star played. In fact the hardware and set up is exactly the same. It was a vintage piece of equipment.

I have been telling Zack (the kid I’m teaching) that I was going to try and put two sets on the stage for us to use so I wouldn’t have to keep switching in order to teach him. So, when he arrived yesterday, he was not suspicious at all about the new set. I had called Carol, Jon’s to come and be there when I presented the set to him. So she and her daughter and mother came. As soon as she walked in, the tears began. That kit was fixed and clean and she hadn’t seen it that way in a long time.

I told Zach to keep playing and went to talk to his dad a minute. That gave Ellen, and all who were there time to come in. When he finished playing, I went on stage and asked him how he liked the kit. He said he liked it fine! I then asked him if he’d like to take it home and own it. His mouth just dropped and he looked at his dad, as if to get his approval. He said, “Really!!!” I said, merry Christmas. What a great day!!

I helped him break it down and load it up. I can’t tell you the joy that time gave me. What a blessing to see several things: A young man appreciate a really nice gift, a grandmother give away something that was a part of her for years and a direct link to her deceased husband, a legacy of music that ended is now beginning, and one happy old preacher.

I’ve included a picture of the set just to let you know what a gift it was. I’ve also included a picture of Ringo Stars kit to show you the vintage aspect of this whole thing.

Surgery A Success!!

I appreciate everyone asking about Brandon’s surgery. Everything went well. The doctor said that the ligament was repaired as expected. It had completely torn from the bone. He is now in a splint. On December 31 we go back to the doctor to probably have a cast put on. After that, two weeks later we will determine if he can have therapy. If therapy can happen, it will, if not, he will have to be casted again and wait another two weeks. Originally the doctor said 6-8 weeks and probably eight.

Pray that he can do what the doctor says to do. I know he wants to hurry the process, but we’ve talked to lots of people who have tried to hurry the process only to thwart the healing. There is a chance he can play again this year, but the doctor said that he would not put him at risk and I’m glad for that.

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns.

Can’t Lose For Winning

We can’t lose for winning! You may be thinking I got that backwards, but the truth is the scripture declares that no matter our situation, God is working it out for our good. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.”

Sometimes life seems so difficult. Satan attacks in places that we should expect it, and even if we see it coming, we still have a difficult time dealing with the disappointment that he brings into our life.

If I could just remember that victory is in the Lord I could see that in the end, I will be victorious because of what Jesus did in the resurrection.

So whatever is being thrown your way by the enemy please understand that in the end, Jesus will carry you through. Praise His name, I can’t lose for winning!!

Brandon’s Thumb Surgery

Please pray for Brandon. He will have surgery on Tuesday, December 16, around 1:00pm to fix the ligament in his thumb. I’ve included a video of how his thumb operates before the surgery. WARNING: This video is not for the squeamish, and don’t try this at home.

Tough Two Days

We’ve had a tough couple of days with kid sickness and injury.  Tabitha began a couple of days ago with some kind of stomach bug we thought.  We came to discover that she had a severe kidney infection.  She was a sick puppy.  She is much better today.  She was able to keep down solid foods and even got out of the house.

Last night began what looks like a nightmare for Brandon’s basketball season.  We came home from Bible study and things were going great.  Ellen and I went to the grocery store (Wally-World) for a ready supply of food.  When we arrived home, the kids helped us unload and put away the groceries.  After that, Brandon went downstairs to the laundry room to do something.  Ellen was there with him.  We were all in just fun jovial moods (except Tabitha who still felt a bit queasy).  Brandon, while talking to mom, backed up and tripped on the table leg.  When he caught himself with his right hand mainly, he felt a “pop” in his thumb.  He nearly passed out from the shock and the pain.  I don’t remember when he hurt as bad as this. 

After a time off trying to “shake it off” as we used to tell them, he called for mom and me and when we got to him, he was shaking uncontrollably.  Scared us to death!  He laid on the bed and just broke down with tears.  He said, “I’ve worked so hard to get where I am on the basketball team, and now I’ve ruined it like this!”  No words can describe how a parent feels when their child is crying like that.  All we could do at that point was to cry with him and pray that it wasn’t as bad as it looked.

We waited to see the trainer today and he sent us straight to the Bone and Joint Clinic.  The news was what we had feared the most.  He has completely torn the ligament that connects the thumb to the hand.  He could bend his thumb almost straight down to his wrist.  He will have surgery Tuesday and begin the healing process.  The doctor said that it might be six weeks to recovery and most likely eight.  For all practical purposes, his season is over.

Brandon worked to get to the starting team of the varsity and be one of the top defensive players on the team.  He is one of the top assist players, feeding the ball to the shooters like no one else. Just from what I’ve seen, he probably is one of the top players in steals.  His coach told him today that he would really be missed.  His words were, “Brandon plays his guts out, works hard and plays hard.”  He was really nice about it, explaining to Brandon that he needed to not worry, but just get well and get back to the team. 

I know you guys will, but please keep Tabitha and Brandon in your prayers.

Thanks To You Guys

It is so encouraging to blog. This blog family that we have always helps me. In my last post I was seeking clarity and confirmation. You guys all helped me see that faith is the answer.

Sunday I talked about all this at Creekside. The lesson was mostly about Faith Vs Fear. Fear is Satan’s biggest weapon. If he can keep us afraid, he holds some kind of power over us. Faith is the antidote for fear. It is that which Satan cannot take from us that gives us a strange power over him. He knows that if we just trust God he is defeated.

Greg, just wanted you to know that I read what you commented on in my last blog to Creekside Sunday, making sure to give full credit to you of course. (That way if no one liked it, I could always blame you.) Thanks brother for those words that helped me to see that God has already confirmed His love for us. The journey that gets confusing is really a lack of faith on our part.

I underpinned all this with a verse in 1 John 4 that says, “perfect love casts out fear.” God’s perfect love is seen in Jesus and all that He did for us through resurrection. His love is confirmed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. I know He loves me and that casts out any doubt as to my future.

How the journey goes is still a mystery to us all, but it’s not to Him. An old hymn says, “He holds the future in His hands.” With those hands, we all can be confident.

Confirmation

There are many things in my life that are just the way I like them.  I love my family.  I have a wonderful wife who takes care of me and that’s not an easy thing to do.  I have four awesome children who continually bless me.  My church family is awesome!  We were talking Wednesday night about how our church family is such a gathering of different kinds of people, but the love that exists is incredible.  It doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you have, or what you’re wearing, you are accepted at Creekside.  We are not perfect, but we don’t claim to be.  We just claim to be loved by God and believe that Jesus is the way.

There are, however,  areas of my life that are really confusing right now.  These are areas that are uncertain.  There are things that I’d like to change, but really don’t know how.  In fact I’m clueless as to what I need to do.  I’m looking constantly for some kind of confirmation as to what I need to do or not do.

Have you ever been there?  Have you ever had a situation or event or series of events happen in your life that brought about confusion?  How do we find clarity in our circumstances?  Were do we find the answers?

Gideon looked for answers in the fleece.  David cried out through songs.  Job asked God questions–until God gave the answers.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t worry about the outcome–they just knew who they were and were not going to be shaken.

The nature of faith is “being sure of something hoped for and certain of things not seen.” Wow!  I know that the answer is in the heart of the Father.  Putting my trust in Him is what I need to do.  Confirmation will come.  I know that He is in charge.  I will trust God to show me the way.  I must give Him the opportunity to shine in my life.  That’s the answer, right!???

We live in turbulent times right now.  There’s uncertainty on the lips of nearly everyone I come in contact with.  The economy, marriages, morality, and the list could go on and on.  We must always remember that God is in control.

How do you seek God’s confirmation?  What do you do to prove to Him that you trust Him?