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LETTER IN THE MAIL
09-18-2008
Bad News- Pam and I received bad news from our mortgage lender. We are victims of identity theft.
Oh No!!! I'm going to lose our house, and retirement fund. The thieves will destroy my credit and reputation and everything.
Our first reaction to bad news is always fear, anger or rebellion if not worse. "That's not fair" "I've been a good Christian". "I read the Bible!"
I thought the Bible says "God never sleeps". Well I guess he was watching TV or text messaging someone when my problems hit.
But wait a minute. I'm a pastor. I've got some answers somewhere. I need to apply God's Word and Prayer and Faith.
I'd better get into action and read Ps. 112:7 "He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord".
O.K. calm down! I will TRUST. I will be STEADY and HOLD firmly the LORD. I will choose not to FEAR.
Sure enough!! Guess what? It all came out in the local news.The culprit has been apprehended and it appears that none of the 1000's of victims (not just Ron and Pam) have not been robbed after all.
THANK YOU LORD. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! YOU ARE SO GREAT!
~ Pastor Ron
WHY? WHY? WHY?
09-11-2008
Don't Ask Why?
We always get into trouble with that question, WHY?
Life is unfair. WHY? Good people suffer. WHY? Bad people prosper. WHY? I never get it my way. WHY?
Why always leaves people angry. We pout and blame and complain. It causes us to be cynical. Soon we are mad at God because He didn't fix my problem when I asked Him to do it my way.
The WHY question has no answer. Ask God and He is silent. God's special business is not ours. WHY is in the secret world of the MOST HIGH SOVEREIGN LORD OF THE UNIVERSE. The Bible says that "the secret things belong to the Lord our God"
So I know what you are thinking. WHY are they secret? WHY can't He tell ME? !!!!!
Our question for life is not WHY but WHAT?
In view of this .....situation....problem...loss...hurt...burden. WHAT action should I take?
Now that has substance!! I can act in faith. I can act in patience. I can act in gratitude. I can act in love.
So .....WHAT should I learn? What should I believe? What should I do in Faith?
Next time you want to ask God a question, change it to WHAT?
Dear Lord what should my response be? WWJD?
~ Pastor Ron
ACTS OF KINDNESS
09-05-2008
What would Jesus do? His whole like was acts of kindness.
Look at people . They have four basic needs. They are Physical, Emotional , Directional, and Spiritual.
Jesus focused on these four basic areas. He is our model on reaching out to others.
We can practice many acts of kindness in these four ways in loving people around us.
1. Look for people who have physical needs and be Jesus to them. "cup of cold water"
2. Look for people who have emotional needs and be Jesus to them. Show them Jesus love.
3. Look for people who have directional needs and be Jesus to them. Be the light in a dark path
4. Look for people who have spiritual needs and be Jesus to them. Jesus said "I am the way"
People are the most important of all God's creation. He wants us to love and serve them with kindness and gentleness. You can be Jesus to them today.
~ Pastor Ron
INTERFERENCE
08-29-2008
Watch out for all kinds of interferences which hurt your life.
On the Cell Phone it is the dead zone. On the highway it is rush hour traffic(why do they call it rush-hour?) On your computer it is "spam". But...... with God it is temptations, distractions, people, materialism, deceptions from the "angel of light" and so many other things.
Elymus(the sorcerer) tried to interfere with Paul and the gospel on the Island of Cypress. The sorcerer was trying to keep the governor from believing and following Jesus.
Paul recognized the conflict and rebuked him while God took care of the problem and struck him blind.
What a powerful illustration! What is your distraction? Recognize the problem and turn it over to the Lord. Refuse to let it hinder you from your calling. Get on with the Lord's work. Read Acts 13:4-12
Let's stay on course together.
~ Pastor Ron
LIFE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
08-15-2008
I'm writing this note to you while on vacation. Pam and I are having a great time. Edisto Island is called Low Country because it is so low in elevation like zero feet above sea level in many places.
This low country is amazing. I love seeing the dolphins cruising by so early in the morning.
It is fantastic counting pelicans winging over our beach house. They are beautiful and graceful flying in a long string one behind the other. We counted 82 large birds peering down at us on the deck about 20 feet overhead.
Also on the island are Loggerhead turtles. So far they remain unseen but we often spot the nesting areas of these endangered species.
The almost full moon over the ocean at night is another evidence of God's terrific imprint on planet earth.
We love the ocean including the windy cloudy and rainy days. At this moment we are having a very loud thunder and lightening storm. We love to experience the South with its unique foods like fried green tomatoes and she crab soup. We love the special southern culture and y'all come hospitality.
But the reason we came so far was family. People are the most important! They are the most fun of all! Our family is so beautiful inside and outside. Thank God each one of them has a great and personal relationship with God. Vacation is great, but love of God and family is the greatest.
I hope you personally know what I mean.
By the way the Cornerstone family in Lodi is also incredibly beautiful and exceptionally loving.
I look forward to seeing them all very soon.
~ Pastor Ron