No Fear

On Wednesday I'll be leading a mission trip to Mexico.  There are 10 people (including myself) that will be going to work at Resplandor de Vida, a children's home located near Juarez.  We will be holding Bible classes & activities for about 110 children, distributing food in a nearby colonia, worshiping in a local church, and doing some light construction work at the mission compound.

All of us are excited to be going.  And most of those we know are excited for us.  But there have been some unexpected responses.  On more than one occasion I have heard something like, "What?  Are you crazy?  Don't you know how dangerous it is for Americans in Mexico???"  Such statements have come from well-meaning church members, concerned parents, and other pastors & leaders.


So, here's my response to those concerns...

1. Yes, I know about the dangers that exist in the Juarez, Mexico area.  Dangers exist all around us, even in what we normally consider to be safe areas.  The recent shooting spree in Aurora,  Colorado reminds us of this.
2. We will show proper care to follow the directions of those who know the area best.  We will be there for one week; they live with these dangers constantly.
3. Our God is bigger than any of the difficult or dangerous situation we may face, and we will trust in His care.

Here are two Bible verses that I think of frequently: 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:28,38-39, NIV)

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

We do not need to fear.  There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from God's love.

Here is what God will do for us, whether we are in Juarez, Aurora or anywhere else... he will protect us from all harm, he will sustain us through our difficulties, or he'll take us to our eternal home.  He may even choose to do all three! 

Oh yeah, there's one more thing God will do...  He will use us to honor & glorify Him.  And that's better than anything else we could desire.

For more information about Resplandor de Vida, visit www.harvesthandsministries.org

"Take Five" Friday

It's been a scorcher of a week here in WNY, as it has been in many parts of our country.  This has led many people to seek ways to stay cool.  Here are some ideas you may not have thought about... until now.

Feel free to give them a try and let us know how you make out or share a few of your own suggestions.

5 Unusual Ways to Beat the Summer Heat...

1.  Having a picnic lunch in your bank's lobby.

2.  Standing in an appliance store with all the refrigerator and freezer doors open.

3.  Volunteering to inventory the grocery store's frozen food department.

4.  Posing as a statue in the park's fountain.

5.  Wrapping your body in freeze pops.

A Tribute to Andy

Today we lost an American legend... Andy Griffith.  Like thousands of others, I grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show.  His role as Sheriff Andy Taylor gave us a glimpse of the man he truly was:  gracious & fair, loving & firm, a man of rock solid convictions, and one whose faith was genuine.

Before pursuing a degree in music, Andy prayerfully considered becoming a preacher.  I am so glad he chose the path he did.  I have to believe he touched more lives by the roles he portrayed than he ever would have from a pulpit.

"Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord," his wife, Cindi Griffith, said in the statement issued through the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina. (CNN)


Andy, your presence & influence will be greatly missed. 

  

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Psalm 116:15