Three random thoughts this morning…

Random Thought A:  WHAT A SUNDAY!

We had over 200 people here for our homecoming Sunday yesterday. I think the exact count was 210 which is wonderful, especially considering the dozen or so people who are usually there but couldn’t be for various reasons. Our auditorium only holds 238 so while we didn’t hit our goal of a full house, we came very close. Next year and from now on our goal will be the same: Full House or bust.

We enjoyed a great meal cooked by some of the finest people in our community, enjoyed great fellowship with friends and family, and above all honored Christ our King. If you missed it, make plans now for next year’s Homecoming (August 23, 2015)!

 

Random Thought Two:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (TOMORROW)!

Tomorrow (August 26th) will be my birthday; not just any birthday, either. Tomorrow I turn 30. Three-Oh. The big one. The queen mother of all *dun dun dunnnnnn* (scary dramatic music) birthdays. It’s funny because a year ago–even a few weeks ago–I would never have guessed that such a milestone would matter. I’m usually very low key about my birthdays. All I ever want is a chocolate cake with white icing, some kind of grossly unhealthy dinner (fried chicken, chick-fil-a nuggets, a massive steak, something), and usually a new pair of shoes.

This year, however, I have felt myself getting more and more anxious and contemplative. I used to tease my wife that I would work hard, write all my commentaries, and then drop dead at 40. She made me stop saying that. But now that I’m crossing the 30-year mark, I’m actually kind of…nervous about what the rest of my life brings. I’ve been thinking about what I’ve actually accomplished (if anything) in my first thirty years and whether or not I will accomplish anything meaningful for the rest of my life. That kind of deep, meditative stuff that keeps you up at night. That’s what I’ve been doing…and it (among other things) has been making me very anxious, tight chested, etc. It’s probably why I’m going to the doctor later today to see about getting on some medication (that’s my casual way of asking for your prayers).

Which brings me (not so subtly) to the final thought…

 

Random Thought D:  WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE FREAKING OUT!

Isaiah once confronted the cowardly king of Judah, Ahaz, who was extremely anxious–not about a birthday, but about a possible invasion by Israel and Syria. The prophet spoke with the king with words of reassurance, and though the king was not receptive, Isaiah’s words are still good ones to remember when we are battling anxiety for whatever reason:

Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;
And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

Isaiah 7:3-4

Isaiah tells Ahaz to “take heed” (pay attention to God), “be quiet” (settle down), “fear not” (stop letting negativity control your thoughts), “be not fainthearted” (stop assuming the worst).

Why? Because the threats against Ahaz are just “smoking firebrands” (literally, dying embers). A dying ember gives off a lot of smoke, but there’s not much fire left any more. It looks like a threat from a distance, but up close you realize it’s all bark and no bite.

We all have problems, and they are all big “to us.” But they are not–any of them–TOO big for God.

Pay attention to Him, settle down and trust Him, be positive, and know that He will guide you through your trial. When He does, you’ll look back on your problem and realize it wasn’t the forest fire it appeared to be; it was just a dying ember.

 

Think about it,
have a great day