Hard Message...Tough Week

Yesterday was a very good Sunday. Emails are pouring in on the impact that God was able to have through the message and music yesterday. Every once in a while on a Sunday I have to give a "hard-talk" that leaves the room feeling a mixture of sadness, hope, love, anger and confusion. Many tears stream down the faces of those that it affects the most and all of us leave with much to think about.

Life is hard sometimes. It is sometimes not fair, and many times difficult to understand. I struggled on Saturday with how much I should say about the ridiculous "faith-healers" and health & wealth TV pastors who only talk about the good things in life and worse yet, place the blame of disease and heartache on people for not having enough faith or not sending in a "seed-gift" to show your faith.

Books fly off the shelf and churches grow really fast as Christians flock to a place with a "God wants you to be rich and happy" message. However, families struck with disease, sudden death and other issues that is nobody's fault seem left in the theological darkness of despair and guilt as their "faith" must not be enough to make the cancer leave, their crippled kids walk and the tragic death of a loved one be reversed.

Yesterday I gave you the truth. It is not always easy to hear...but it is true and very much biblically accurate. God can do miracles if he chooses. However, sometimes he chooses not to. You can pray, have faith and send in your prayer cloth to the millionaire preacher on TV.....but you can't force God to do something.

I was glad that many of you have shared with me that you finally get it and understand. That your faith in God has actually increased because you have learned to trust, love and hope in Christ...not for what He will do for you, but because of who He is....I encourage you to share my message via our website with many people who may benefit from our story.

Thank you for your prayers as we will be placing our 5 year-old daughter in a home that can give her the one-on-one care she needs for her issues. As you know, she is mentally and physically handicapped and is a a danger to herself and others without direct supervision. Thank you for your prayers as we take her to her new home on Wednesday.

Today's Bible Reading: Galatians Chapter 1

You are going to love this little book in the NT. Paul starts of today denouncing the poor teaching that the church in Galatia has been receiving. He tells them that he is sharing with them the truth and his goal is not to win the favor of men but of God alone. Look again in verse 10. In your life are you more worried about pleasing people of God? Always remember....we have an Audience of One to please. Paul said that if he were only worried about pleasing people..he could not be a servant of God!