Don’t be alarmed when the trials of life crash around you. God is there to help!
This summer, we have experienced a variety of storms which have disrupted our lives. We had the tornado 3 weeks ago and then the “hurricane or wind storm last weekend. Both of these storms disrupted our lives, displaced some from home and in short, caused all king of havoc and chaos. Our homes and churches suffered through damage, power outages and fallen trees. On last Friday, Jamise, Edward and Ocean, my daughter and grandchildren were on our way to Kansas City. We were at the corner of 129th and Maple when the storm hit. While Jamise covered her children, I stopped the car and held on for life. Later Edward declared, “Storms are not fun!”
Storms will come
You are right grandson. Storms are not fun. But, storms will come into our world. Storms will come in to our lives. They come to us all, and when they hit, they are not fun. In Acts 27, we read the account of when Paul was on a ship with 275 other. In the midst a violent storm he steps forward and tells them all to “be of good cheer.”
Many if not all can look at our present life circumstance and declare, “I am in the midst of a storm”. It could be personal, work related, with children or a spouse, it could be with life changes of aging or other health related issues. Those storms could be your present financial situation. Yes, these are the storms of life. What are other storms of life you can name?
Storms are temporary
I wrote this definition of a spiritual storm: “It is an unpredictable, temporary period of distress over which we have little, if any, control.” Paul referred to the storms in his life as “light afflictions,” which last “but for a moment.” Yet, if you read his biography, you find that he endured one storm after another. How could he call them light afflictions?
A place of refuge
When storms come our way, we should seek shelter, refuge, and safety from the storm. We can find safety within a relationship with Christ and with the Church, ROCKbrook The storms will continue, but you can always find refuge in the midst of the storms. Psalm 16:1[ A miktam of David. ] Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Meet the Lord of the storm
Have you met the Lord of the storm? Have you met the One who can see you through no matter what you face in life? Are you trying to find your own way, your own solutions? Or, are you willing to say, “Lord, I need Your help.” If you do, the Lord will under gird you. God will help you weather the storm. God will give you victory. God will bring you good cheer.
God is indeed our Refuge:
Pastor William
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Easter Blues?
The After-Easter Blues
Lent is easy to live with because it seems so real. It's easy to see brokenness and alone-ness in our lives and in the world, so it's easy to reflect on the stuff we're supposed to be reflecting on. But it's different with resurrection, or it least it should be. We don’t want life to return to ‘normal.’Easter is filled with the message of the power of new life, of death's defeat. Jesus triumphs over his death and ours, and it's a day full of gladness. So we sing with all the joy we can muster. We're full of alleluias as we get into the spirit of the day. "Christ is Risen!" I knew I was having a good Easter when I felt the Spirit of God stirring in my heart. Resurrection seems true – It is possible to imagine that life can be different. That passion week has ended.
Easter is not a one-day transformation experience. We do experience little bits of new life growing in our souls; but it's never a complete transformation. We sing about resurrection but know that we're not there yet. For all our Easter joy, we're still the same people that we were during Lent. My uncle died. People are still hungry, and sad, and struggling with painful relationships, agonizing decisions, and a thousand other things. Easter is a life lifetime event, so are the Promises of Easter.
We can see signs of the resurrection in the lives of those around us and in our lives. Substance abuse rehabilitation is a success, a struggling marriage has a new foundation, forgiveness has been extended and received, a job was gained and there are other places where you have experienced the resurrection again. Alleluia, Christ is Risen.
Another sign of Easter is when someone announces his or her call into ministry. I celebrate and give thanks unto God, as my son, William M. Williams, III preached (at the 8:30 service) as a person who has begun the process for ministry. I ask that you pray with William and for him, as he lives out his faith and his call. Son, I want you to know that y0ur mother and I are proud of you.
Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
Pastor William
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.-John 20:19b-20Lent is so dramatic. It begins on Ash Wednesday, and then we had seven weeks to reflect, to examine our lives, our brokenness, and our mortality. We go through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday -- full of depth and meaning and even drama. And then Easter hits. And then it's done. Or at least that's how it sometimes feels.
Actually, it's not done. According to the Christian calendar, Easter is a season -- 50 days long -- and not just a day. We usually don’t celebrate Easter as a season. We have one busy Sunday, a few more days of chocolate eggs and jelly beans. But then it's back to normal. I have often said, “Things will slow down after Easter.” Life will return to ‘normal.’ Why does this happen?
Lent is easy to live with because it seems so real. It's easy to see brokenness and alone-ness in our lives and in the world, so it's easy to reflect on the stuff we're supposed to be reflecting on. But it's different with resurrection, or it least it should be. We don’t want life to return to ‘normal.’Easter is filled with the message of the power of new life, of death's defeat. Jesus triumphs over his death and ours, and it's a day full of gladness. So we sing with all the joy we can muster. We're full of alleluias as we get into the spirit of the day. "Christ is Risen!" I knew I was having a good Easter when I felt the Spirit of God stirring in my heart. Resurrection seems true – It is possible to imagine that life can be different. That passion week has ended.
Easter is not a one-day transformation experience. We do experience little bits of new life growing in our souls; but it's never a complete transformation. We sing about resurrection but know that we're not there yet. For all our Easter joy, we're still the same people that we were during Lent. My uncle died. People are still hungry, and sad, and struggling with painful relationships, agonizing decisions, and a thousand other things. Easter is a life lifetime event, so are the Promises of Easter.
We can see signs of the resurrection in the lives of those around us and in our lives. Substance abuse rehabilitation is a success, a struggling marriage has a new foundation, forgiveness has been extended and received, a job was gained and there are other places where you have experienced the resurrection again. Alleluia, Christ is Risen.
Another sign of Easter is when someone announces his or her call into ministry. I celebrate and give thanks unto God, as my son, William M. Williams, III preached (at the 8:30 service) as a person who has begun the process for ministry. I ask that you pray with William and for him, as he lives out his faith and his call. Son, I want you to know that y0ur mother and I are proud of you.
Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
Pastor William
Monday, January 7, 2008
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Yes, I know that we have a few more days before it is officially 2008. I just want to be the first to hope and pray that your 2008 will be filled with God’s Grace and Mercy.
It was terrifying for her. It was late one evening and I was working late at the church. Jenna was with me and we were readying the sanctuary for services the next day. After we finished, we took the short walk—maybe 30 yards from the church to the parsonage. But it was dark…very dark. Jenna grabbed me by the hand, terrified. Scared of the dark and the unknown.
I remember our brief conversation as we crossed the parking lot in the dark. “Jenna, are you scared?” Yes daddy, she replied, as she reached up and grabbed my hand and clasped it as tight she could. After we reached the safety of our home, Jenna quickly shared our adventure. What we did at church and our walk home. She shared of her fear as we walked home and her relief as she felt the comfort of my presence.
As we stand at the threshold of a brand new year, we have only a glimpse of what lies ahead of us. Good health or sickness, gladness or heartache, financial security or financial setbacks? What changes are in store?
What will be the challenges? The uncertainty can be frightening and unsettling, but knowing that God is standing always beside us can give us courage to face the future with peace and hope.
In moments of despair, confusion, fear or doubt, take God’s hand. Remember the promise of His abiding presence. Relax in His power to overcome all the obstacles. Rejoice in His provision for your every need.
Prayer: Lord, as I step into this New Year, help me remember always that You are by my side and that your presence will go with me every step of the way. Give me strength to persevere when trials come my way. Give me grace to forgive when I am hurt and offended. Give me joy to share with others who need someone to walk beside them. Amen.
Partners in our journey,
Pastor William
It was terrifying for her. It was late one evening and I was working late at the church. Jenna was with me and we were readying the sanctuary for services the next day. After we finished, we took the short walk—maybe 30 yards from the church to the parsonage. But it was dark…very dark. Jenna grabbed me by the hand, terrified. Scared of the dark and the unknown.
I remember our brief conversation as we crossed the parking lot in the dark. “Jenna, are you scared?” Yes daddy, she replied, as she reached up and grabbed my hand and clasped it as tight she could. After we reached the safety of our home, Jenna quickly shared our adventure. What we did at church and our walk home. She shared of her fear as we walked home and her relief as she felt the comfort of my presence.
As we stand at the threshold of a brand new year, we have only a glimpse of what lies ahead of us. Good health or sickness, gladness or heartache, financial security or financial setbacks? What changes are in store?
What will be the challenges? The uncertainty can be frightening and unsettling, but knowing that God is standing always beside us can give us courage to face the future with peace and hope.
In moments of despair, confusion, fear or doubt, take God’s hand. Remember the promise of His abiding presence. Relax in His power to overcome all the obstacles. Rejoice in His provision for your every need.
Prayer: Lord, as I step into this New Year, help me remember always that You are by my side and that your presence will go with me every step of the way. Give me strength to persevere when trials come my way. Give me grace to forgive when I am hurt and offended. Give me joy to share with others who need someone to walk beside them. Amen.
Partners in our journey,
Pastor William
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