Pastor's Thoughts

          

           I hesitated as I began typing this introduction realizing that as you read this your thoughts may not move beyond the beginning of the article. I then surmised that you must face every day as I do bombarded with the reality of a sin corrupted world in which we abide. There is pain all around us, frustration, discouragement, and injustice will be encountered with seemingly so little that anyone can do to aid in the suffering. Every stage of one's life holds its own hardships, ships once boarded that allow no exit I might add until they have carried us with winds of unease over tumultuous seas only to relinquish their hold that we may enter another stage and discover another hardship to board.  Well, maybe you see now why I hesitated to pin these words.

          

           Some seem to live in this frame of mind, with resolve and grit they struggle through life ever climbing over obstacles hoping the next ridge will yield the valley of their dreams. Others sulk, complain, and spread their own misery never considering that like a foul odor this too becomes one more unpleasant stench others must endure. Then there are those who wear a mask, outwardly they smile, they refuse to allow anyone to know how messed up, strained, and miserable they are on the inside, just below the surface of that outward display. I think I have found in the scriptures a better way of journeying through this thing called life. I believe it can and does make life in the present not only bearable but full of peace as well. Here is the passage I want you to consider applying to your life.

          

           Phil 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

          

           Appling these biblical principles may or may not change the environment in which you are forced to live, prayer is involved so that does change things, but what they will always do is change you. A man may not always be what he thinks he is, but what a man thinks, he is.

 

            

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