When things are crazy

These are crazy times. Just when we think things are about to loosen up a bit more, the masks are required again. The past three months have been a breeding ground for worry and stress.

And yet, God has been faithful throughout. I can list, just as you can, all the problems personally, nationally and globally. These times have shown me the truth and the importance of trusting God, especially when things are crazy.

Instead of staring into the storm, focused on the problems, turn your attention to Him. Your entire attention!

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MSG)

Our Father

Being one of the blessed ones with a great dad, I’m very aware not everyone has had the same experience. One thing I do know, no matter your family of origin, you do have an amazing FATHER.

Jesus, in showing us how to pray, makes it clear that our communication with our God is very personal and very special. We can call Him FATHER!

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

Happy Father’s Day!

The path matters

While in the mountains there are many trails. One can take you to a magnificent point of view at the edge of a cliff or to a magical waterfall. However, not all paths lead to something spectacular. Some can actually lead us directly into danger.

In a similar way, our lives are filled with off-ramps, detours and crossroads. The road we choose can make all the difference in our scenery, and in our lives.

Maybe that truth is why I love these verses so much.

“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” (Psalm 25:4-5 NLT)

Simple Beauty

Whether on Thursday evening or Sunday morning I got to see beauty. Yes, this flower was out front near the worship center, but there was so much more beauty than that.

I saw people.

For 3 months we connected, but from a distance. Getting together in the same space has significant power. If you’re reading this and you haven’t been with us yet at a weekend service, I encourage you to give it a try. You can keep your distance, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to feel the connection!

Simple beauty is people doing life together. Praying together. Singing together. Learning together. We were made for connection…and we find our beauty in those connections that matter so much to each of us.

Thank you for your patience these past 3 months. Community will be a Church on the Move whether we’re in our building or not…but it is fun to see each other in person again!!

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:21-22 NIV)

Hope in the Desert

While many live in the desert and love it, the imagery of a desert is one without hope. No water, no way out, no survival. The desert may describe a time in your life where you weren’t sure how it was going to turn out. You were at the end of your rope and it just didn’t seem like you were going to make it.

THEN GOD…

Then God is one phrase I’ve grown to love. When we don’t see a way out, we are encouraged to cry out to Him. He can bring water to a desert, as well as hope to a heart.

Just in case you needed to hear this today, notice the last line of these verses:

“Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (Psalm 107:4-6 NIV)