RADICAL! Years ago that word carried a connotation that was less than pleasing. Anyone that looked a bit different ~ or anyone that did something out of the boundaries of what was considered normal, was labeled as ‘radical’ in a negative sense. Today? We believe that RADICAL can carry a positive connotation, especially in the spiritual sense! After all, what IS more radical than how God changes our lives, cleans them up, and gives us a new life here on earth with a forever destination called ‘heaven’? I cannot think of one thing that qualifies as more radical than that! So … is it alright to live radically as a believer? YES, we’re shouting a resounding YES!!! And just how does that affect our everyday lives? Well, we could fill page after page of stories of individuals who have been changed by Christ, and now are living radically for Him. They are so grateful that their lives have literally been saved and rescued and delivered from sin and the enemy, that they are not hiding their faith and keeping it in seclusion. They are living messages to their world around them, be it on whatever stage God has provided for them – locally, or in some instances – being broadcast around the nation and world on live TV via satellite! Powerful! So again, how does this translate into everyday living? Do we have had to hit rock-bottom or have committed the most hideous sins or have made a nationally recognized name for ourselves? No, no! This means we pursue God in the tiniest to the largest details of our lives and take Him at His Word, literally. Simply. Child-like. We believe Him – and what He has said in the past. We believe Him – and what He says to us now. And we move on those words, no matter how much it doesn’t make sense, or how radical it seems. When the world tells us one thing, and we hear God say the exact opposite, we respond without so much as a blink of the eye. We can do that because of Who is talking to us. It’s not our neighbor or an acquaintance … it’s the God of all creation, the Lord of the universe, the Savior of our souls! Why WOULDN’T we listen to His voice? On a more practical note, sometimes having to step out in faith against circumstances, can feel radical. But we do it because we take God at His Word. Just recently, I had to take my remaining days of vacation off from work or I would lose them. So not having been to our oldest son’s family for some time, we decided to head about six hours northwest. Finally, all the bases were covered at our many jobs … but then the weather forecast stated to sound pretty ominous. Winter storm warnings of slush and freezing rain and several inches of snowfall. People started telling us that perhaps we should not go. But we decided that since God had helped us get everything in place to this point, we were going to step out in faith and take Him at His Word that He would be with us. So with the first turn of the wheel, we were on our way! First of all, it was wondrous to just sit in the vehicle and breathe in pure relaxation and peaceful moments! And the good news is – none of that weather happened at all on the way there! We were so excited to see DJ and Melissa, and Tyler, Wade, and Lindsay (20, almost 16, & 9) and share this short day and a half visit with them in their home! How they blessed us by tucking in as many enjoyable things as possible: running all over town to several fun places, including walking the mall with Lindsay and gazing at the cute little puppies in the pet shop … the two of us making a double batch of yummy, gooey cookies (the expected 48 cookies turned into 88!!!) … sitting in the ice arena, cheering on Wade’s hockey team … celebrating Tyler’s 20th birthday two days early … seeing Melissa “in action” with her precious day care kids … taking a tour of DJ’s newly renovated office building and his new office space … and sharing all the conversation and hugs that we could in this short time together! There’s nothing like the blessing of being with family! And to think that in this small window of time that God gave us to enjoy – we could have thrown it away had we not chosen to believe radically that God would get us there safely. The return trip home was another story ~ the winter weather descended upon us in all its fury … but God brought us safely back home! Leaving our family is always difficult, but we carried with us new memories that we’ll replay over and over! Radical faith … it’s worth its weight in gold!!! And it works in every facet of our lives!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- SUNDAYS are always a highlight of the week as we experience God’s presence together, and this past Sunday was no exception as we joined in worship! Pastor Doug preached about “The Lost Coin” – part two in the series from Luke 15, as he encouraged us to move past circumstances and even bad decisions that have brought loss into our lives, “Reclaiming What We’ve Lost”!
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES to Karrie on February 6th, to Sean on the 9th, and to Kathy on the 12th! May God bless each of you with a great day and a wonderful year to come, filled with His BEST!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH:
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with COMMUNION – Bring your hunger and thirst for more of God, along with your Bible, as Pastor Doug will complete the third message from Luke 15 on “The Lost Son.” Anyone struggling with broken relationships will be challenged to believe for restoration as we “Reclaim What We’ve Lost”. God is the healer of relationships, so come and receive all that God has for you!
- 11:15 A. M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – with a class just for YOU! What an exciting opportunity to learn more of God’s Word and to share our own related experiences with each other! May it be our passion to get to know God better ~ come and learn with us!
- 6:00-7:30 P.M. – YOUTH – RE: FUEL session with Justin leading an exciting new study that our young people will gain much from! Check with Justin about extended youth time that may include the Super Bowl game. Some awesome munchies will be provided, but plan to bring a beverage and some additional snacks to share!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- “A TEARDROP ON EARTH SUMMONS THE KING OF HEAVEN.” (Chuck Swindoll) How awesome that our God is ready and waiting to answer our heart’s cries. This week let’s continue to lift up Michelle (Justin’s and Cierra’s aunt in NE) who is battling cancer; for Julia as she undertakes some new tests; Tina and Helen and Lela, as they recover from surgeries; for Connie’s unborn great-nephew, who is fighting for his very life as doctors are concerned about a terminal condition; for a family who needs a miracle to keep their home; and for those who have no homes in Haiti. Our God is big enough to handle all this and more!
- THIS WEEK . . . “Remember, “When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.” ~ Armin Gesswein
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
