Thoughts from the weekend (and setting your face like flint)

Thoughts from the weekend:

Well, our family survived the week.  Two surgeries (Debbie - Gall Bladder; Andrew - knee). 

Both surgeries went well.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers.

Prayer is important.

Prayer does work.

I am grateful for the way that God moves in prayer.

We never know what a day might bring.

So true.

Sometimes people ask me if I am "busy".  Here's my response.  "As long as there are people - there are needs - and as long as there are needs - I am busy."

Let me give you the Word that I gave during the altar time yesterday - and broaden it to include everyone reading this: 

During times of trial and stress, there comes a time (after we have prayed and sought God), when we must (Isaiah 50:7) "set our face like flint."

Actually the full verse states this:  "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."

Great verse.  God helps me.  I trust in Him.  I put that trust into action by putting one foot forward at a time.

That might mean that if you are in a hospital bed, you sit up.  And then you walk to the washroom.  And then you walk down the hall.  And then you go home.  You "set your face" like flint, knowing that God is helping you.

That might mean that if things are going bad at work, you get into your car.  You drive to work.  You walk in having prayed and choosing to have a positive attitude.  You go throughout the day - having conversations with God.  You "set your face" like flint, a step at a time, knowing that God is helping you.

Sometimes, that is all we can do.  One step at a time.  One day at a time.  One week at a time.  One month at a time.

But what is the promise?  "You will not be put to shame".

God never lets the righteous forsaken.

I really enjoyed worship yesterday.  But what I really enjoyed even more was seeing the people of God with hands raised and voices lifted in praise.

We can worship or we can worry.

It also blessed me to see the way that God is changing individual lives.

Lives being changed is always an encouragement - an encouragement that lets us know that we are making a difference - or that God is making a difference through us.

Many, many thanks to everyone who makes a Sunday morning, "go".  You are needed.  You important.  You are loved.

I am grateful for those that I can count on around me.  Knowing that they are praying, working, ministering and supporting the vision that God has given us at Stone Church.

From the greeters to the ushers to the worship team members - thank you!