FAMILY: HINDRANCE OR HELP?

Family can sometimes be a little scary. You love everyone or at least try to love everyone yet if your family is not a Christian family that supports you in your belief. There are all types of people in this world. We all know about the good, kind ones that make you feel great. But then there are the difficult ones, the ones that have a criminal background, addicts and drug users, downright hateful people, and those that always try to get ahead in life without caring about anyone who gets in their way. We don't get to choose our family yet we need to try to maintain our Christian faith in spite of all the family problems. It may seem like these families are a hindrance to our faith but God has a special purpose for you in your family

Some of us are blessed with good, Christian families that have taught us to love and serve God. We are used to getting up on Sunday AM with church and church-related activities being important. I've often wondered how it would be to grow up in a family like Billy Graham's or in a group of Christian singers who tour from place to place sharing their faith with others. I wonder how my life would be different if my background had been different. Of course, I didn't grow up in those environments. God gave me a family that was important during my childhood and I still have many pleasant memories. Consider your blessings and make your life count for God. Consider yourself fortunate if you have a good Christian family to support you and thank God for their help.

COMMITMENT

Making a decision to serve God is not always easy. For one thing, many things in life pop up along the way making it harder to stay on track. For me, I have problems getting up on Sunday mornings if we have been to Little Rock for a concert and I don't get home until 2:00 AM and can't fall asleep until 5:00 AM. I want to be in church but physically I am exhausted and need the rest. The danger here is allowing that pattern to be an excuse for not attending church.

Probably the best way to serve God is to find a church that is caring and outgoing and has a place for you to serve. No task is too small. Perhaps it is a greeter at the front door or a person who counts the number of people in attendance. It doesn't mean that you have to be a teacher or someone who sings in front of church either alone or with another group. When God opens a door of opportunity follow His leading and you will experience joy as you serve Him. Make a commitment to seek His will and see where he leads you.

REACH OUT TO OTHERS

When God's love is within you, you need to learn to love others like God loves you. That can be a real challenge. I know for me that trying to love someone who is difficult or stubborn is not easy. Many people in the world are hurting or feel like no one cares. Reach out to them expecting nothing in return. Maybe something as simple as a card or an offer to run an errand will make a difference. Don't expect it to happen overnight.

The result of your effort may not be seen for many years but your attempt is at least trying to show an act of kindness. I know one person who has been rather difficult in this community and I forgot one time something that I had done for him. Now that he is in his 80's he tells others that he has no use for anyone else but us. Interesting? You never know what effect your act will have others long term.

BE STILL

With the upcoming rush of Thanksgiving and Christmas there seems to be a overwhelming amount of things to accomplish. I know that for myself I can feel like I am on a merry-go-around with all the receptions and church activities as well as the family meals and celebrations. Yes, there is a lot to handle but learn to “be still”. Slow down the pace and relax and reflect on God and who He is. "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Don't let the holiday celebrations slip by without making God a part of your life. Keep Him close to you and thank Him for allowing each of us the choice to be one of his children. Yes, our heavenly Father loves to see the joy in our eyes just as much as we love to see it in the faces of our own loved ones. Isn't that precious?

GOD AND OUR COUNTRY

I missed writing about the recent election not intentionally but because my direction at that time was focused on another area. What we have to accept now is the reality of the choice of the people and the future of our country.

No matter who you voted for, President Elect Obama will be taking the oath of office in January. It is time for Christians to pray for wisdom from God as Obama sets about to make new changes in our country and our economy. No one knows what is ahead in the future but we need to have God a part of our country. From the beginning of our nation our country was founded on religious freedom. Many of the “founding fathers” expressed a firm belief in God and in many of the documents written early in our history there is a reference to God.

Today with the overall world problems, we stand to lose the focus on being a Christian nation. The 10 Commandments have been blocked from being displayed in public places and prayer is no longer allowed in public schools. Many of the fine institutions (universities) have mottoes above the doors expressing a belief in God. Now the Pledge of Allegiance is being taken to task to have the words “in God we trust” removed. We need to see that the Christian emphasis remains in this country—no matter what man deems is best.

SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING

All around us is evidence of God and His existence. Most people automatically think of nature and the creation which God formed in the beginning. God is with in us our circumstances and whether or not they are positive or negative experiences. He is there if we recognize His presence. Study a person's face or look at the innocence of a newborn baby. Even in the most difficult person or the one who is angry at the world there is an emptiness in the eyes that longs for something different. That something is God. They may not realize it but each one of us have a spiritual nature that seeks to believe in something. For me, it is a belief in God.