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Getting Past The Comma

Proverbs 13:12 says... "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
I've often heard this scripture quoted -as if the second half of it doesn't exist. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." There's a lot of truth to that statement alone. Having no hope can make one lose heart.

But the second half of the scripture is what keeps me going. "...but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
The Message translation puts it this way..."Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around."
Do you feel like you're living -before or after the comma in that statement? The first half might make you feel like -that is all life has to offer...hopelessness. But you've got to get past the comma.

Amy Grant has a song that says "Life is a curious thing." It talks about a man who was down on his luck, living in poverty. He went to Hollywood, made a movie, and now he's a millionaire. Another verse talks about the girl who was ugly in high school now being on the cover of a Fashion Magazine. It makes me think of the caterpillar turning into the beautiful butterfly. You just never know what tomorrow might hold.
When I was a boy, we went to a gold mine and heard a story of a couple of men who dug for the longest time. We walked down that cave and it was huge. But they lost hope and gave up. Along came some other guys and three feet later they struck gold.
Don't give up.
I love it that Jesus surprised His followers. They thought it was all over. He was dead. But that was just the beginning of the story. God must like to surprise us. We've just got to get past the comma.

We've Started A Choir!

Well, let there be singing. We've started a Choir here at Faith Christian Assembly. Tonight was our very first practice and we had 20 people! I believe we'll get more in short order because a few are out of town that have already told me they want to participate.
Our practices will be in the Garden Room on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, from 4:45 to 5:15PM. To begin, we're tackling some easy and yet beautiful songs that have come from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I couldn't be more excited about it.
If your schedule is too full to sing, I'd encourage you to re-do your schedule! Sometimes we tend to eliminate the very things that we need the most. Join us!

Psalm 63:5 "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."

For Sale

Ok...this one's a little bigger. I spotted it and couldn't help but take a picture. As soon as I did the owner walked up and told me it's for sale. If only I could. But I don't know if I'm ready for that much attention driving down the street. I might start feeling like I'm in a parade and have to wave to everybody.

Blink And You'll Miss It

While out walking yesterday I stumbled across this car. I didn't see it at first, stepped on it, and then had to wipe it off my shoe. It seems you never know what you'll find around here. I'm beginning to think that I live in an enchanted forest. So does this mean that little people drive this car...or that I'm a giant?

I'll let you know if I find a beanstalk.

Earthquake!

Did you feel it? Did you rock n' roll this morning?
I was in my office and LaRae was out in the main office working on the church library. She has built shelves for it and it has turned into quite a project. Well, I thought maybe she was now shaking my office wall with the force of her hammer. Next I thought she was funnelling under the floor for a possible new entry way. But when all the walls started to shake, I just knew she'd rented a crane and a wrecking ball was about to come through the window.

The Associate Press reported the following: "The magnitude-5.4 jolt struck at 11:42 a.m. Tuesday and was felt from Los Angeles south to San Diego, and as far east as Las Vegas. The quake — considered moderate — was centered 29 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles near the city of Chino Hills."

This was Jennifer's first earthquake since living in California. She was quite excited afterward. Almost a little hyper. In fact, I have the feeling that she'd like to feel another one. She's used to living in Oklahoma and Kansas where the winds go sweeping down the plain -and sometimes take you with it. But, once you feel an earthquake, you really know that you're not in Kansas anymore.

Vital Signs

Much thanks to everyone who helped us this past Friday night at our Starbucks Outreach! It was kind of wild because we got responses all over the board. Some outright refused to take a gift certificate while others actually responded with a hug. Most seemed very appreciative of the gesture though.
We really appreciate everyone who came to hand them out, everyone who donated toward the cause, and everyone who prayed. This was definitely a team effort for the kingdom. We pray that those who were impacted would find life far beyond just a cup of coffee.