It's going to be ok, Johnny

I don't remember when or where I first heard the story. Through the years I have retold it many times, many times without thinking about it in advance. It is the story about a dad and his little boy.

Dad was off work that day and mom needed to do some shopping. It was a beautiful day and daddy decided to take the toddler to the park. Fastening the little one in the swing, dad pushed him back and forth. The little one began to whine, and dad was beginning to panic. A sympathetic mom saw what was going on as the father kept repeating, "its going to be alright Johnny" while pushing the little one in the swing. The neighborly mom came to the side of the little one, looking down, and tried to calm the little one, referring to him as "Johnny". At this, the dad said, "his name is Jason, I'm Johnny."

I'll give you a minute, my joke telling and remembering is not all that strong. But the story line is that dad was encouraging himself. Sometimes you just have to do that. As David did in the bible, when he was up against great difficulty and the men who had stood with him turned against him. When no one else was there to do it, David encouraged himself. To encourage oneself is to take courage, to be strong, to stand. The bible exhorts us to having done all to stand.

We all have times when we face adversity and need encouragement. I am thankful for those moments when the Lord sends a friend along to help. It might be an email, a text on my cell, a call. It might be on facebook or twitter, or another way. I am appreciative of those moments. I just contacted an old friend this week and really didn't know why. I was impressed to encourage them. They related that they were going through a severe time of testing, and the words I shared were very timely.

Walt Mills used to sing a song, "I've got a feeling, everything's going to be alright." We sang it many times back in those years. But the fact is that everything is not going to be alright. Some marriages don't make it. Some people turn on you and leave you. You lost the good paying job, didn't get the promotion. A family member died of a disease. You can become bitter at the events going on in your life.

Yet in spite of all the pain, adversity, and sorrow, you can make it through this. You can survive. God put you here for a reason. I just want to encourage you today to hang in there, hold on. The sun will shine again. I love you and God loves you.

Be blessed!
Pastor Ronnie

DEVALUED? NO, I DON'T THINK SO!

Like the economic downturn and the devalued dollar, some lives are in a tailspin. Problems and adversities tend to cause us to look at ourselves and think maybe we somehow deserve the calamities that have come upon us. I want to speak an encouraging word to you today. Your worth is not linked to how well things are going in your life. Your worth is determined by the ONE who formed you.

I understand pain, discouragement, and despair. Most of us have had some degree of this, if we will be honest. Some have had what seems to be more than their share. It is during the difficult times that Satan gives us what may be his biggest weapon- He tells us that God doesn't really love or care for us. If God cared for us, why would this be happening to us? As with Eve in the garden, the serpent plants the seeds of doubting God's word and His good intentions toward us.
Someone is reading this blog who feels as if they are a failure. You think you are not worth being loved. But I want to tell you the devil is a liar.

For some reason, I am compelled to continue on this thought, a link to my last blog, "you can make it." You may feel as if your best days are behind you, but I want to encourage you to hold on. This, too, shall pass.

Your worth is not based on your health or your wealth. It is not based on what you are going through. It is not based on what has been done to you. He walked out on you? They walked away from Jesus. You are suffering.. so did he. I am not trying to minimize your pain, I just want to tell you that your worth is set by God. And He never devalues His child!

God cares for you so much. He is just a prayer away. You are of great value.

I love you in the Lord. I'm praying for you. I don't have to know you to feel this way. It is the love God put in my heart. If I can help you, let me know. I don't want your money, I want you to be free and feel good about yourself.

Pastor Ronnie