STILL KICKIN'

Ever feel like you've been knocked down? Situations in life seem overwhelming? If you have experienced those times, or if you are presently going through a stressful situation, you are not alone. Pressures of life happen to everyone. It is not a question of IF, it is a question of HOW we will respond that we need to address.

I'll confess that I have failed at times in the crisis. I have doubted when I should have believed, and complained when I should have praised. Yes, I know what it is to "miss it." And I never want to underestimate the pain of someone else, nor do I want to judge them for their response. The line to an old country music song comes to my mind "Walk a mile in my shoes... before you criticize and accuse." When we have walked in the shoes, or path, that another is walking, we can understand their situation. We are not as likely to judge them as we are to pray for and encourage them when we have done so.

The thing that is stirring in me today is to encourage you. You are a survivor! You are still here. In the midst of the storm, you are still kicking. Yes, you may feel battle scarred and battle weary. You may feel lower than a snake's belly, but you are breathing. You are alive.

Do what David did. Encourage yourself. Pick yourself up. Ask God for help. Believe that He is working for you. Sing a song. Take a walk. Talk to a friend. Attend church. Read your bible. It ain't over, until God says its over, and He hasn't said that.

I know. As they say... "Been there, done that." Yes, I have. And I'm glad to say I'm

STILL KICKIN!

A glimmer of hope?

CBS news headlines began with a caption saying "Glimmer of hope?" The story was about the current economic climate of the nation, and the week's upturn in the stock market. The brief article stated there seemed to be a little light, but that we are far from over the downward spiral of job losses.

I live in the real world, and am much aware of the struggles people are facing. The church I pastor is located in an area that was hard hit two decades ago when the cotton mills began shutting down. Then the furniture industry was hard hit. Low paying jobs and no jobs are common here. When the people in the community can't work, it affects everything else. Yes, especially the church.

But I haven't intended to write another blog about the economic struggles of the community, nor the church. (I have written those blogs, and they are the most googled of any) To tell you the truth, I rarely listen to network news lately. There is so much negativity that it is depressing. The thing that caught my attention was the caption, along with the question mark.

A glimmer of hope? Glimmer is defined as a faint light. Hope is defined as to desire with expectation of obtainment. And so the question posed by CBS was this-- Is there a faint light shining that will bring an expectaction of obtainment? Or you could put it simply like this-- Is there a light shining?

My answer is that YES, there is hope. There is more than a glimmer. The light of Christ shines in the darkness. The kingdom of God is not paralyzed by the greed of man. He is still on the throne. The Good News is that there IS hope, that Christ lives. The reason the church exists is because there is hope.

You wont find it on the news. You wont find it in the morning paper. But you will find it at your church this Sunday. There will be a praise team or a choir singing about it. There will be teachers in Sunday School or children's church teaching our precious little ones about it. There will be a man or woman of God behind the pulpit sharing this hope. The hope is that no matter what you've done, how you've lived, where you've been. No matter your skin color, education, or what side of the tracks you live on... THERE IS HOPE!

RANDOM RAMBLINGS...

I watched a little of the speech last night from Senator Obama, at the Democratic Presidential Convention. I had not watched any of it prior to this, and I had missed the interview of he and Senator McCain last week by Rick Warren. I try to stay out of the political thing in the church, although I believe we all should vote. I have had some problems with both sides in regards to their platform, and have expressed that to those who have asked me. I was somewhat stirred by the promises of hope for better things in the speech last night. He almost had me, until he spoke of the gay rights and abortion stance. It makes it difficult to turn your head to those things we view as being in opposition to the word of God. On the other hand, there are injustices which the Republicans do not seem to address. So I have decided at this point to remain undecided.

Have you ever had those times when you wish you could have a do over? I have them on numerous occasions. You say something that you wish you hadn't said. Insert foot in mouth. You try to take it back, only to realize you are probably making it worse! I did that the other night, and embarrassed a young lady, and myself as well. I am reminded that God uses imperfect people.

Fay was a little storm with a big impact. It never made it to hurricane status, but it did a lot of damage. It was a slow mover, and it whalloped Florida three or four times before moving out. Now, another one is coming-- Gustav. This is supposed to be a big one, and it may hit New Orleans. It's been three years since Katrina, and they still haven't recovered.

I saw the sad picture of Meth last night. What is does to a life is horrific. I know God can deliver, and we are praying that He will move. To the one who visited our home, I want to saytThank you for coming, and allowing us to pray. God has put within you dreams that He can fulfill.

I know some of you are battling physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Some of you have relationship problems. Some have received bad news from the doctor. God has the last say, and He can heal you, deliver you, and make a way. We are standing with you and for you in prayer. I spoke Wednesday night on praying breakthrough prayers. That's what we are believing for in your life- breakthrough!

Thanks for reading my blogs. I appreciate the comments you give me.

Y'all be blessed,
Pastor Ronnie