My son has this thing about people dressed up in costumes with masks. He doesn’t even like clowns with painted faces. When we went to Disney world over a year ago he wouldn’t have a thing to do with any of the characters that had on masks. But the princesses and princes were a different story.  He would speak directly to those characters and had absolutely no fear.  It’s the same way when we’ve visited Chuck W Cheese. I’m an adult so I realize there is some sweaty soul dying of thirst in that costume.  I’m not fearful because I know what’s behind the mask.  All he sees is this bigger than life character with unnatural and maximized facial features and it just freaks him out. Were someone to remove the costume and mask there’s not a doubt in my mind he’d talk that person’s ear off. I’ve even told him, “It’s just a mask!  They won’t hurt you!”  It doesn’t matter. His perception of the situation blows things way out of proportion.  But his responses aren’t really any different than that of an adult.

As an adult, we encounter things from time to time that we’re unsure of and it leaves us shaking in our boots.  “How can I…..?” “What will I…..?”  What if….?”   Were that demon the devil sent in your direction be made to remove its mask, you’d realize that little shrimp isn’t something to be afraid of.  Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”  You’ve been endued (filled) with an ability and strength to fulfill the purpose for which you’ve been called to.  There’s no need to have fear of those things that can kill you.  Scripture tells us we’ve been given supernatural steel-toed boots (that’s from the Brian International version, ha ha) to step on and kill something that is venomous enough to kill us under normal circumstances.

Man of God/Woman of God–hear me when I say we’ve been given authority on this earth to place those things under our feet.  We can keep staring at them worrying they’re going to attack us….and they quite possibly could try to attack.  Or we can just step on that thing and move forward.  I remind my children, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” [2 Tim 1:7]  Why do I know this scripture so well?  Because I have to remind myself almost daily sometimes of this truth.  I fall prey to those moments just like everyone else.  I forget that it really is just a mask.  “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion …..” [1 Peter 5:8].   Here’s the great thing.  The devil is a poser.  In other words, he’s not really a lion at all.  He’s only pretending to be one.  That mask he’s wearing makes him look real.  But it’s fake.  It’s all fake.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I know the real lion; the one referred to as the Lion of Judah!  My God is the real deal!  And if my Heavenly Father isn’t afraid of the devil, why should I be afraid?  My Father protects me but he has also given me the tools and ability to protect myself!  Why are we so afraid?  It’s just a mask!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!

Months ago my wife and I went to the movies on a little mini-date.  Afterwards, we decided to take the exit door rather than the entrance we came in as it was closer to our vehicle.  You know, the door no one ever uses that is located next to the screen in some dark corner of the theater.  Being a southern gentleman, as we approached the door, I motioned for my wife to go ahead of me as I opened the door.  It was a matinee so the sun was a shocking change from the darkness of the theater.  I bowed my head and squinted my eyes and pressed forward.  After taking two steps outside I saw something move from the corner of my eye.  As my eyes were still adjusting I noticed it was one of the things I’m most fearful of.  It was a snake.  In my mind he/she was the size of a large anaconda.  Needless to say, I was dancing around that area like someone was shooting bullets at my feet.  Hearing the commotion, my wife turned around and started laughing and asking me what I was doing.  I pointed to the snake as I continued to dance and she just laughed harder.  She’s a bit of a country girl so she’s not very afraid of a snake.  Not to mention the baby snake was really only as big around and as long as a kindergartener’s oversized pencil.  My fear of snakes made that slithery menace seem bigger than it was.  My fear paired with inexperience with reptiles were the perfect disaster to cause me to fear something 100x’s smaller than I was.

Have you ever been there?  You come in contact with something that, at the moment, seems like a steep mountain that can’t be crossed.  Only later do you realize it was really just an ant hill.  In Acts 21 we find a group trying to convince Paul not to go to Jerusalem as they fear he will be captured.  In verse 13 he responds, “…I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  He sounds like a man who isn’t worried about the future but is more concentrated on the task of spreading the message of Christ.  A few chapters later in Acts 27, Paul has been captured and is on his way to stand trial.  The ship he is on is caught encounters a great storm and the ship is lost.  He and the other prisoners find themselves on the island of Malta (we’re now in chapter 28).  In an attempt to warm themselves they and the islanders begin building a fire.  As he’s adding wood to the fire a serpent is driven out of the brush by the heat and it attaches itself to his hand.  Folks, I would have passed out.  Plain and simple.  This white boy doesn’t do snakes!  Paul did something unexpected.  He just shook it off back into the fire and went on about his business.  For quite a few chapters prior to this one Paul has been hit over and over and over again by things happening around him and to him.  After reading all of that I was ready to fly the white flag of surrender for him.  Rather than panic in the moment of attack he made the choice to just shake it off.

What choice will you make in the moment of your attack?  You can run around screaming and acting foolish (like I did at the movie theater) or you can simply….shake it off and keep pressing forward.  Was he scared to die?  No!  He said so in Acts 21.  When you remind yourself of what you’ve been through you’ll realize that little snake in your life is nothing to be afraid of.  Anxiety?  Shake it off!  Fear?  Shake it off!  Depressed?  Shake it off!  Worry?  Shake it off!  Shake it off!  SHAKE IT OFF!!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  God is not afraid of your mountain…and you shouldn’t be either.  Do you have something that has attached itself to you?  Shake it off!  It doesn’t matter what it is.  Shake it off!  If got brought you through that, he will SURELY bring you through this!  Be encouraged, my friends.  Weeping may endure for a night…but joy is coming!

My wife doesn’t ask for much.  But one thing that brings her joy is watching the show “Say Yes to the Dress.”  Personally, I could go the rest of my life without ever watching the show again.  Like most females, she gets great joy from watching or taking part in anything wedding-oriented.  She loves to think back to our own wedding day and can be caught watching the DVD of our ceremony.  On this particular show the viewer watches each woman’s journey which includes her personal story, a picture of her future husband, and more.  Her mission, in this (shortened for TV) 30-minute time slot, is to find the perfect dress.  It has to be a certain type of material, must be made a certain way, it has to fit ‘just right,’ it has to be just the right shade of white (personally, I didn’t realize there were ‘shades” of white–I thought white was, well, white).  For many women, months of preparation go into 2 hours of time on a single day that pass so quickly you can barely remember it.  While I understand the planning that goes into it, in the grand scheme of things, weddings can get a bit ridiculous.  The dress is never worn again.  The guy has paid to rent a tux that has to be returned (that he could have paid to buy a new suit).  All you’re really left with are a few memories, some pictures taken by an overly priced photographer, and a lot of debt.

Has the couple put that much time into planning the rest of their lives after the wedding?  In most cases the focus is more on the party and celebration and less on what comes later.  This faulty move lands many in divorce court.  But this is how we tend to live our lives, isn’t it?  “Buy now, pay later!” is a commonly heard statement used in many commercials.  We’re encouraged to appease the flesh and worry about the consequences later.  That’s the great American way!  This past Sunday our Pastor messed everyone up by having a casket parked right in front of the pulpit during the per-sermon prayer.  When everyone opened their eyes it was sitting right there staring us all in the face.  Talk about a wake-up call.  What would happen if we put just as much effort in to planning for our death as we did for things such as a wedding day?  It’s apparent we would spend more time attempting to pray for and lead our unsaved loved ones to Christ.  We probably wouldn’t waste our money on half the junk we buy.  We would realize there are many things we could live without.  2 Corin 4:17-18 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Say NO to the dress…..in other words, say no to the fleeting things of the flesh that have no long term value.  Place the importance on the things that matter.  As I recently heard one of my mentors state, “Your true goals will influence your decisions!”  What is influencing you?  What is most important to you?

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Side note:  I’m not a scrooge about weddings.  Please hear my heart and the message I’m trying to get across.

Have you ever been around a child (or adult, for that matter) you would classify as a spoiled brat?  You know the one I’m talking about.  They’re never happy with anything they’ve been given and are constantly asking for everything shiny in their line of site.  I was recently walking through Walmart shopping for groceries.  Once I reached the third aisle of the grocery section I heard it.  “Momma—I want that!!  Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!”  Having experienced it with my own children (who, according to their grandparents, are perfect angels-HA!) I simply responded in my mind, “Bless her heart.”  Kids have a mind of their own and we can’t always control their outbursts.  I continued walking.  Four the next ten minutes I (and everyone within 200ft) continued to hear that child, over and over again, “Momma—I want that!!  Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!”  By the time I reached the last aisle for my milk I, like many of the shoppers around me, was ready to get out of there.  The constant (and loud) whining was stressing me out.  I grabbed that gallon of milk and walked quickly to the front to check out as the voice began to fade.  Then I had a thought.  Is this what God hears when I pray? 

Have you ever paid attention to the types of prayers you pray?  I’ll be the first to admit there have been times I’ve found myself stating, “Daddy—I want that!!!  Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!”  I ashamed of those moments.  1 Kings 3 tells us of God coming to Solomon in a dream.  God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (v.5).  Wow!  He could have asked for anything!  His response was, “…give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (v.9)  Wait!  What?!?  Come on Solly!  You could have asked for a new castle, a stronger army, greater riches, a new chariot!  Apparently, he had learned a thing of two from his flawed yet God-loving earthly father, King David.  Verses 10-15 state, “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”  And God was true to His word.   

Final remarks and encouragement:  God honors faithfulness to His kingdom.  When we endeavor to live a life that is pleasing to Him we have no need to ask for the selfish things.  Not only did God honor Solomon’s genuine prayer for wisdom to govern His people in the right way, He also blessed him with both wealth and honor to the extent there was none considered his equal during that time period. (v.13)  I encourage you to inspect your prayers.  Don’t be a spoiled brat!  If your genuine desire is the furthering of His kingdom you’ll have no need to be selfish.      

My maternal grandfather (I called him Papaw) had some pretty severe health issues in the latter part of his life requiring constant oxygen and limited mobility.  One thing that seem to bring him the greatest joy and help him pass the time was putting together puzzles. He would sit for hours at a time working on thousand-piece puzzle’s.  One particular puzzle I remember was of a large poinsettia field.  I remember glancing at the pieces and getting mildly frustrated because every piece looked the same.  That one puzzle would have taken me weeks to complete because I didn’t have the patience.  It only took him a few days.  My Papaw was doing it simply for the enjoyment.  I was looking for instant gratification.  He always had this ability to look beyond the pieces to see what it could become.  I remember him encouraging me to start out by doing the outside pieces first.  Once the border was finished he would begin from one corner and work his way towards the center.  Every few minutes he would glance at the front of the box to be reminded of the final product.  I would get frustrated by the enormity of the job before me and run outside to play.  Upon returning he had miraculously finished a small section of the puzzle.  Over time, piece by piece, it always came together.  I don’t think I ever saw him get upset unless he got to the end and realized he had lost a piece.  Thankfully, that missing piece was always close by and would be found on the floor or having fallen between a crack in his coffee table.

Sometimes I look at the puzzle that is my life and get frustrated.  My ‘To Do’ list gets longer by the day, I begin thinking about upcoming bills and worrying how they’ll get paid, volunteers are needed at my children’s school for multiple events, I can’t seem to get caught up at work… I just can’t do it all.  And for someone that is a consummate over-achiever, that frustrates me beyond belief!  It’s like this nauseating merry-go-round that continues to pick up speed.  No doubt King David understood what is was like to be overwhelmed.  He fought many battles throughout his life.  Psalm 118 finds him expressing thanksgiving for the battles God had brought him through.  Verses 5-6 state, “I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.  The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”  I’m sure the puzzle of his life frustrated him from time to time but he kept pressing forward.  Piece by piece, little by little, with help of His Savior, things always came together.  From time to time, especially in those overwhelming moments, I’m sure he had to reflect on the big picture.  But he knew the promises God had made to him.  If God helped him with the lion, the bear, and that vulgar giant, surely his God would continue to work on his behalf.  What has God done in your life?  Surely, if He brought you through those things, He will help you through this!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  Maybe you’re at a place of frustration and can’t see past the enormity of pieces that need to be put together.  Be encouraged!  Fulfillment of your greatest blessings or promises from God require more work on your part.  Don’t get frustrated.  Just work on your puzzle one piece at a time.  You’ll eventually realize, with God’s help, it is all coming together!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!

Depression. Just the mention of the word makes many uncomfortable. If you’ve never dealt with it, it seems impossible to explain.  Most don’t understand it, know how to deal with it, and are unsure what to say to those who are dealing with it.  Just the mention of the word brings copious volumes of shame to those plagued with it. But let’s face it, it can happen to anyone at any time.  It cannot be predicted. It can’t be avoided. Many tend to be more susceptible to it simply because of an over-abundance of certain hormones or, in some cases, a lack thereof.  Waves of conflicting emotions and feelings splash down upon you, one after another, leaving you gasping for breath and searching for a life raft. It seems odd but many find comfort in the darkness of their minds. In those precious moments there’s no one to answer to. No one to have to explain the confusion of thoughts to.  But then, minutes later, there is frustration brought on by the very loneliness that once brought comfort.  It’s one conflicting thought after another.  A vicious cycle of perplexity and puzzlement that leaves behind a wake of uncertainty.  Some can’t eat.  Some can’t stop eating.  Many have a hard time sleeping but can’t seem to find the strength to get out of bed.  Constant confusion and feelings of chaos.  Yes.  Those are just some of the symptoms of depression.

To those who have gone through their lives and haven’t had to deal with it, consider yourselves blessed.  In the spirit of transparency, I’ll admit I’ve dealt with it off and on throughout my life.  I recently found myself dealing with those unwelcomed emotions again.  While I can acknowledge what is going on in my heart and mind I choose not to embrace it.  That darkness is not my friend.  Over the past few days God has gone out of His way to remind me I am not alone.  Whether spiritually or physically, I am not alone in my battle.  You, my friends, are not alone in your own personal battles.  His word has become my constant companion in the past and during this season.  It has reminded me that He will never leave nor forsake us [Heb. 13:5].  Even when it feels like we’re fighting these battles alone, our help comes from the Lord [Ps. 121:2].  He is with us as we walk through those valley’s….even when it feels like death may overtake me [Ps. 23:4].  When happiness eludes us and we feel weakness and despair, the joy of the Lord is our strength [Neh. 8:10].  Even when there seems to be no answer, He is our answer!  Life can become overwhelming.  My assignment today is to remind you, when it seems there is no hope, He is our hope!  He is our joy!!!!  He is our peace!!!!!  He is our Healer!!!!!  He is our Deliverer!!!!!!!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I have no clue who this message was for today.  Maybe this blog was just for me.  Though, because of the pressing I experienced from the Holy Spirit for me to share, I seriously doubt it.  But don’t you dare feel pity for me.  I am okay.  With God’s help, I will ALWAYS be victorious.  YOU will always be victorious!  If you are struggling today, find help somewhere.  Find someone you trust to confide in.  You might feel alone, but you’re not!  Just keeping putting one foot in front of the other.  I assure you, one day soon you’ll realize it’s not raining any longer.  I may not know what’s going on in your life, but I want you to know I love you and I’m praying for you.  You are NOT alone!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

By guest blogger, Jennifer Rhodes…….

Who on earth has found a love that is purer and more devoted than that of a good father or a mother?  Recently, our son gave me a plaque that contained the sweetest words describing a mother.  As I self-reflect, I find many characteristics that are repeated from generation to generation.  There are times that my actions mimic my mother and grandmothers.  When I give to my children and there is nothing left to give, or when I feel I am over-giving I think of my mom.  My mother has the gift of giving.  She is self-less and gives from a genuine heart.  In moments where I am high energy and loving life I think of my mother’s mother.  She found joy in the simplest things such as wearing red lipsticks and talking with anyone in her company.  My father’s mother taught me to kneel and believe God for anything I asked Him for.  As I pray over and teach Godly principals to my children I think of her.  This grandmother provided a legacy of faith that I pass on.  My father and grandfathers possess qualities just as genuine as those mentioned above.  I see my dad’s characteristics in myself just as often.  His confidence and love of life echo in my actions daily.  My grandfather’s social interactions and giving heart are still ever displayed in his actions.  I’m reminded of my mother’s father as I pour myself a cup of coffee and relax in my home.  He also enjoyed the simplest things in life.

I see generational characteristics as I reflect over my own actions.  I ask myself, what characteristics do I see of my Heavenly Father?  Do I see more of Him than I do myself? What characteristics of His are reflected in my daily living?  Scripture points out, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” [Ps. 27:10]  This scripture is not to negate the role of father and mother but to focus us on the importance of understanding God’s role in our lives.  This God, our God, created every facet of our being.  He knows how many hairs are on our head.  He placed the stars in the sky and divided the day from the night.  He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground.  I love the scriptures that teach we are more important than creation.  Our Heavenly Father values us beyond what our mortal minds can conceive.  He alone holds the future in the palm of His hands.  We can rest securely knowing that nothing is beyond the Master’s reach.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?  I hope to not only see the image of my earthly father but my Heavenly Father as well.

Marriage is a gift.  But, those who are married will agree, marriage is hard work.  The world teaches us to look out for numero uno.  Marriage is a daily, sometimes hourly, reminder of the importance of servanthood, forgiveness, and selfless love (just to name a few).  I recently heard a minister say, “Marriage is not a contract, it’s a covenant.”  That line caught my attention so I paused my DVR, wrote it down, and did a little digging.  Contracts are built, mostly, on a mutual distrust of two or more parties and is legally binding in many cases.  It outlines the expectations of all parties involved, sets a time period for certain transactions to take place and/or expectations to be met.  To get out of a contract one must find a loophole or go through the arduous process, usually with consequences involved, of having the contract rescinded.  A covenant is similar but is a lifelong commitment.  If may seem comical but, a commitment can be best explained by comparing the chicken and the pig when it comes to providing you with breakfast……eggs and bacon.  The chicken provides you with the eggs with little work involved.  For a pig to provide you bacon…..now THAT’S a commitment.  The pig can’t just be half in.  It doesn’t work that way.  It takes total sacrifice.

Our walk with Christ requires commitment.  What does He see when He looks at us?  Does He see someone living a Christ-centered life, or do we fall into the “fling” category.  A commitment isn’t convenient.  It’s hard work.  It requires constant care mixed with some blood, sweat, and tears.  Though we haven’t gotten married, per se, we’re still in the betrothal period with our Groom.  We’re preparing ourselves for the moment He returns for us, His bride– and He’s picky about the type of bride He’s coming for.  Ephesians 5:25 reminds us, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”  It’s time for His bride, the church, to clean up our act.  We’ve prostituted ourselves out to the things of this world for too long.  When we could have been spending intimate moments with our Maker, we skipped out and went on a date with someone else because it seemed like it would be more fun.  Are you prostituting yourself?  Are you just a fling?  Or are you fully committed?  I challenge us all to prove it!  Talk is cheap.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  As we get closer to His Second Coming, it is going to become harder and harder to choose God.  There are so many things out there sent to steal our focus.  I encourage you to become purposeful in the pursuit of your Groom.  Relationships require lifelong commitment; they require a covenant.  Not someone looking for a loophole.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

“I’m done!  I’m just…..done!” I stated as I threw up my hands.  My wife and I had just had an argument, not unlike many of you have with your significant other from time to time.  I continued, “I’m sorry, but I’m done.”  To the casual onlooker, if they had strolled up at that exact moment, many may have thought I was saying I was done with the marriage.  That couldn’t have been further from the truth (by the way, that is not an option in our marriage).  I was simply tired and I felt like our conversation was walking in circles.  We mutually agreed to table that particular issue, without holding any grudges or negative feelings, and visit it later.  A few days passed and we came back.  The conversation lasted less than five minutes and everything was fine.  My fatigue and emotions had gotten the best of me in that moment and I knew I needed to walk away from the conversation.  No doubt all couples have experienced moments or seasons where they have to deal with these same types of frustrations.  One comment taken out of context can cause great confusions or even make another person look like a terrible person.  Taking comments out of contect can lead others to think something different than what was intended.

I find it interesting a person can make one statement and it have multiple meanings.  Had others been around during our argument I would have been forced to clarify what I meant.  But my wife knew.  She understood what I was saying.  Jesus had the same problem with being misunderstood.  John 19:30 recounts Christ’s death stating, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  No doubt those that screamed for his death were cheering.  I imagine every demon in hell rejoiced at that moment.  By most accounts, it is finished means He is done.  It’s over.  The end.  No more Jesus…..ever.  We Christians know it wasn’t the end.  Just the opposite.  It was the beginning!  Have you ever felt there was something in your life that was dead only to see it come to life years later?  I have!  There have been situations I’ve come against that led me to believe that a particular dream, goal, desire, or some other thing would be unfulfilled.  It was finished.  But I’m glad to serve a God who has resurrecting power and uses it on our behalf!  He can resurrect a dead marriage!  He can resurrect our finances!  He use a washed up drug addict and turn he/she into a pastor!  He can perform the impossible!!!!  When God is involved, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!  It’s not finished until GOD says it’s finished!!!!

Closing remarks and encouragement:  I can’t begin to know what you may be dealing with today.  That thing (whatever it is for you) may seem dead.  The same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave is the same power that can bring life to something you thought died a long time ago.  Rather than worry about what has died, concentrate on how big our God is!  Rather than plan a funeral, sit back and celebrate.  If God spoke it, it WILL come to pass!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Over the years I have been blessed me to come in contact with a number of wonderful men and women of God who have ministered to me in one form or another. There were times I would sit back and marvel at the anointing God had placed on their lives.  There were many I placed on high pedestals that disappointed me when they fell from grace.  What I failed to realize or remember in those moments was each person is a human being just like me.  They put their clothes the same way I do, have struggles and heartaches, and will make mistakes just as I do.  It’s important that we remember the source of their anointing.  When we place our trust in men rather than the One who gave them breath and life, we are bound to walk away heart broken.  Many are simply a mouthpiece for a much greater power.

When I began to ponder this idea a few days ago I discerned what attracted me to certain people had nothing to do with them, per se, and everything to do with the God that resided in them. It’s important we realize the role of everyone in our lives.  The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians addressing their divisions and carnality.  He continued by reminding them that neither he nor Apollos were anything special to brag about but were merely servants assigned with a task. Paul stated, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”  [1 Cor. 3:7]. Years ago I heard someone say people are placed in our lives for a reason, a season, or lifetime.  I have found that to be true.  It is so important we understand who is in our life and why they are there.  Some may be there to bring encouragement or help teach us a valuable lesson when we need it most.  Some are there to give us a swift kick in the rear.  If God can use a donkey, a whale, or a burning bush to get someone’s attention, surely He can use that person that threatens to drive us crazy to speak to our hearts and mind in a certain way.  But we may have to listen a little harder.  While people are not a commodity to be used and thrown away, they are quite possibly there on an assignment from One much greater.  The next time we attempt to mourn the loss of a certain relationship it would behoove us to trust it may have happened for a reason.  Sometimes it’s a blessing when God prunes certain relationships in our lives.  Many can’t accompany us to the next level of ministry.  Although, it doesn’t mean it will feel good.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  An even better question to ask might be what role do we play in the lives of those around us?    Are you fulfilling your God-given purpose in someone else’s life?  God’s not looking for the perfect vessel.  He’s a Master Potter and can fix all the imperfections.  As I’ve said before, He’s looking for a willing vessel.  And we shouldn’t get too impressed with ourselves.  We’re nothing without Him!  Now…………get to work!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!!!