When Life is Put on Hold

         A few weeks ago when Beckie and I took a vacation to Florida to see some dear friends, we got to the airport and found that our flight was delayed about an hour and one half. What a bummer! We were all stoked and ready to be on our way to the warmer winds of Florida and now here we sit in the airport with many other anxious mid-westerner's wanting to feel once again the warmth of the sun on our face. There were those who took it all in stride and others yet who were angered. But when we found out that the delay was because they needed to "De-ice" the plane from were it was coming from, attitudes quickly changed as we all realized that it was all for our safety.
        You and I are no different when it comes to faith issues as well. We want God to answer prayers now and not in His time. The word wait as you see is just another foul four letter word in our vocabulary! But, don't you just hate it when there is, BUT! But when we wait, even anxiously on the Lord His promise to you and I is to grant us Hope in the matter we are anxious about. He promises to renew our strength as He wait for His guidance. This coming Easter Season, a season of Hope, New Life and Miracles, be still and "Wait" for what God has in store you. And if you find it hard to wait upon Him, maybe your heart needs to be "De-iced" so that you are open to the goodness of God that comes in those waiting times.   
      Have a joyous and Blessed Holy Week, Love Ya' Pastor Rick      
  

Filling out my Brackets

    Like millions of other people, I as well will be filling out my bracket for this years NCAA Basketball tournament. I love doing this! I pour over each match-up trying to consider each fact available to me so that I can make the best choice. And then of course there comes into play, my favorites which I cannot help but pick and then there are those "Gut Feelings" that I get about certain games. Each and every decision I make is a "Judgement Call" about why I feel one team is better then another. And now while considering my Judgement calls about each game, it occurs to me that I/We do the same thing day in and day out when we make "Judgement Calls" about people we encounter. In a matter of just a few seconds we often times make "Judgement Calls" about new people we meet, the driver in the car in front of us, the lady behind us at the check-out counter at the grocery store, the guy not dressed like me at the ball game and I could go on and on, but you get the point by now. In I Samuel 16:7 this is God's word to you and I, "Do not consider his appearance nor his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." So, this coming week, enjoy making those "Judgement Calls" as you fill out your brackets, but also begin today getting to know a persons heart before you make a judgement call about them and I pray that the person looking at you who is about to make that judgement call about you will do the same. God Bless and have a Great Week! Pastor Rick
  

My Own Pillow

   My wife and I just got back from spending a few days in Florida with some dear friends. Whenever I go away I often times find it hard to rest well. Being in a different bed and my head lying on a strange pillow. I seem to toss and turn a bit more then usual. I am always thankful to get back to my own bed and pillow where when my heads hits it at night, all is right in my own little world and I rest better.
   Throughout the Scriptures the word "Rest" is scattered amidst it's pages dozens of times. WHY? You see God wants you and I to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is He that grants us perfect rest in this world filled with Chaos and calamity. Listen to Christ's own words in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL give you rest." What a blessed promise from our Lord! So on this day allow Jesus to be that perfect pillow that allows you the rest that you need from the "Dog eat Dog" world. May God's richest blessings be upon you all. Love Ya' Pastor Rick