Fear

Fear is a normal and natural response under certain conditions. However, under other conditions, it is demonic and unnatural.

The very first expression of a sinner in the Bible was fear. Adam told God that "he heard His voice and was afraid." Genesis 3:10

Most all believers (ok, all) will encounter fear that is demonic and unnatural. Someone has said that FEAR is
F alse
E vidence
A ppearing
R eal.

Dr. Neil Anderson said last week, "There is one fear that expels all other fears. The fear of God will dispel all other fears."

Let that sink in for a while.

Jesus sent His disciples into a known storm and went into the mountain to pray for them. While the storm was raging, the disciples got fearful and thought they were going to perish. Jesus leaves His place of prayer to join them in a rescue mission and speaks peace to the sea and to their spirit.

Do you need peace in the midst of a fearful experience? Jesus is the answer. He is praying for you and me; but He has also sent His Spirit to speak peace to our spirit.

Labor Day Update

I apologize for not posting more. I have several things I want to post and may be I can do that in the next few days.

This Labor Day weekend has been spent mainly getting a new home office set up. We have bought some new office furniture. The time spent to move everything and set it all up has taken more time than I thought it would. Should have figured that.

Great news from the McBrides. Reagan's halo is ready to be removed - four weeks early. Hooray! Praise the Lord. Check out her blog here.

Mrs. Gail Stokes is continuing to improve at UAB. They had to install a temporary, external ventricular pumping device but she is responding well. Continue to cry out to the Lord on her behalf.

My friend Aaron Johnson is preparing to preach for the first time this Sunday. He is back in the office for half-days. We are still praying that the catheter can be removed permanently this Wednesday. He has moved his blog to their church's web site and that is reflected on the right. Or click here.

Thursday update on Gail Stokes

Gail Stokes is a member of our fellowship that had a massive heart attack Sunday.  She actually died at Athens Hospital but they shocked her back to life.  She was air lifted to Huntsville where she remained in CCU until Wednesday.  She was transferred to the Heart Transplant ICU at UAB.

She is still in very critical condition but as of this afternoon, she is stable and according to her husband, Buddy, "improved some."  We praise the Lord.

The issue of a heart transplant is very far down the road but they are beginning the preliminary testing for that evaluation process.  

I will attempt to keep you updated on this blog.

Elliott Chambers is home

I am delighted to report to you that Elliott (Eli) Chambers is home from the hospital.  He was discharged yesterday at 6 pounds 5 ounces and according to Lori, "he is getting stronger every day."

Lori wrote in an email to me, "I could never thank everyone enough for the many prayers that have been raised to heaven for him and our family.  It has meant so much to all of us. It will be a long road ahead, but God didn't bring us this far to see us fall now."

We rejoice with this family over the miracle that God has done in this young life.  

Have you ever thought -- miracles are not miracles to God, only to us.

Too Soon to Quit

Steve May writes devotionals on Monday and this was his Monday writing.  I especially was touched but more so because of the message yesterday that I shared with you.  Enjoy it and be encouraged, as I.

Norman Vincent Peale used to say, "It's always too soon to quit."

This reminds me of a quote attributed to Ross Perot:  "Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success.  They quit on the one-yard line.  They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot away from a winning touchdown."

On this subject, Paul encouraged us, "Let us not become weary in doing well, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

The "proper time" sometimes takes a little longer to arrive than we like.  And sometimes it feels like the proper time will never arrive.  This is when we need we need to engage faith.  It's when we need to determine to dig in and stick around a little longer.  It's never a good time to quit.

B.C. Forbes said, "History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before the triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats."

The Christian life -- and more specifically, the ministry -- consists of overcoming one defeat after another.  That's because we're in a spiritual battle and everyday we confront the enemy.  We may lose a little ground from time to time, but we will not lose the war.  We have been promised victory -- a harvest of righteousness -- if we do not give up.  It's always too soon to quit.

Failure is our teacher, not our under-taker.  Failure is delay, not defeat.  It's a temporary detour, not a dead-end street.  -- William Ward

It is never too late to be what you might have been.  -- George Eliot

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. -- William Feather

Mistakes are easy, mistakes are inevitable, but there is no mistake so great as the mistake of not going on. -- William Blake

Aaron is home

My friend, Aaron Johnson, was discharged from the hospital today in St. Petersburg. Denise drove him home to Atlanta and they are now home. Praise the Lord!!!

Updates

I have not written much about Reagan and Aaron here because I have directed you to both of their blogs where you can keep up with them.  However, I must say a word about each.

At Reagan's blog, they have published the funny picture of me and Reagan wearing our purple noses while she was in the hospital.  If you haven't seen it, go there.  Reagan is home and according to Allen, doing very well.  They are having family meals together in the living room and a nurse is with them assisting three days a week.  We continually give praise to God for this miracle.

Aaron is progressing well except for a couple set backs.  Mainly pray for his bladder to fully awake and work.  He has had to have the catheter put back three times now.  He may be discharged this week.

I had the privilege last night of preaching for Frank Whitaker at Barton's First Baptist Church for their Awesome August Sunday Nights.  Frank and I have been friends since the 80s and I highly respect him and the ministry God is doing through him at Barton.

Yesterday was the lowest attendance we've had certainly this summer and possibly this year. But with the beginning of school this week and with the church taking a week of "R & R" - I have no complaints.

We've had a great summer at CrossRoads and with the finishing of the building this fall, the fall looks even better.