Merry Christmas! From John + Pat Godfrey

Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Remember Christ is Chrismas!

How To Have A Real Merry Christmas! by John Godfrey

Well folks it's almost here...It's Christmas time again already and the older I get the quicker it seems to come around. Honestly I admit it... I am never ever prepared in time and Christmas eve normally is my deadline to finish up! I guess that has always been my story so I'm not sure why it should change now...I've always put things like gift buying etc off until the last minute. I'm a terrible shopper so I put it off. I know that is what the prepared folks of this world "not so lovingly" call procrastination, and I also know that there really is no good excuse for it except...that is just the way I am. 

I know that it's frustrating to many people when they are around procrastinators like me. But hey, we "put-er-offers" are not all bad people, we just move in a different time zone than the so called "movers and shakers"!  While the fast paced folks are out getting things done we procrastinators are dreaming up new ideas and that is not always a bad thing. Remember that most of the things that are used in this world by this highly efficient work force had to begin as a dream in someones mind. Without the dreamers there would be a lot less available for the movers and shakers to use in thier fast pace world. It takes all of us to keep to keep things fresh and new!

I shamefully admit that I take comfort in the fact that sometimes the fast paced people miss some important things along the way; not all have, but definitely many have. For example excessive time spent at work in place of time with family. The job is all consuming and so important that their wives, husbands, and children hardly know them. Then they are home, they seldom communicate because they are so tired. After all we have to make a living...however we never have quite enough do we? We always need more money to keep up with others around us. I honestly can enjoy a looking at a sunset while they are concentrating on the next big deal! Without a doubt I would rather hold and play with one of my grandchildren than drive the big fancy new car and live in the big fancy mansion. Certainly there is nothing wrong with nice things as long as our priorities are straight. And, of course I'm not saying that I am better than anyone, the Lord knows I failed at many of my relationships along the way, but my hearts desire has always been toward relationships more than stuff...for better or worse, it is just where my priorities are.

When Christmas time rolls around is it not true that most of us think we have to buy the most expensive gifts that are part of the latest trend or we won't have a Merry Christmas! When we get caught up in that belief system we are missing out on the important things of life. Here are a few important details that I personally feel we are forgetting as we celebrate Christmas.

If Christmas is really to be a "Merry (heart felt) Christmas" then we need to (I humbly offer my opinion)  focus at least these on four things:

1. Christmas is not about stuff!  Spend time with your family and really focus your attention on the ones you love and not on stuff. I'm not completely there yet, but I'm working on it.
   
2. Christmas Should not be about debt! When we use the credit cards and take out Christmas loans we buy into the lie that we have to have that "stuff" even when we can't afford it. Who has the largest buildings or the most locations in town ?... The banks do for the most part because they tell us we "deserve" the products that they sell us. What do they sell us? They sell us debt and we think we are privileged because our credit is good enough to receive the debt! How smart is that on our part?
3. Christmas is about our American Heritage! Never be ashamed of saying "Merry Christmas". Saying Happy Holidays is a cop-out! Whether some like it or not...Christmas is about Christ and their are forces at work in our country that are doing everything possible to rip Christmas out of our heritage in the name of tolerance! Unfortunately many cannot see what is happening and they will not realize it until it is too late. Say Merry Christmas and mean it while you can! Not out of arrogance but because it is true.
   
4. In order to have a real Merry Christmas you must know Jesus Christ personally. Jesus is the piece of the puzzle and the real "Prince of Peace" of Christmas that is missing in so many lives. Without a personal relationship with him then Christmas is just a formality without meaning. In the end your life theme song will either be "I did it my way" which will simply mean that you missed what life is all about, or it will be "I did it His way" which will just be the begining of a relationship that will last throughout eternity. You don't have to be "good" to know Him, you just need to be "willing".
   

Speaking of willing...If you are willing to take about four minutes right here and now to watch this short video below, then you can know how to know the Christ of Christmas. On the other hand if you think that you have the answers in life and do not want to know the truth about Christmas then you can make that choice too. The sad thing is that in the end it will be a choice that you will regret more than you can imagine. Why not open your heart a little and at least listen. Ask God to make himself real in your life. The truth is that Christ is Christmas whether or not you or I are willing to believe and accept it. Hopefully you will be able to put your personal pride aside long enough to investigate the real "Reason for the Season"

I hope you have a real very "Merry Christmas" and please view the link below.

John

www.simplysharejesus.com

Dogs and Turkeys? by John Godfrey

I have to admit that I didn't take this picture...wish I had! This photo came to me in an email and I liked it so much that honestly I can think of a thousand captions to put with it for fun or to make a point of some kind or other. However, right now it seems to me to best describe someone so overwhelmed that they are just about ready to give up! Just like this poor dog is in deeper than he (or she?) ever imagined, some people are feeling the same way.

Okay I'll be more specific and say that this dog's situation reminds me of myself lately! I haven't blogged for a while because I felt that I had nothing worthwhile to say.(I know that some of you are saying.."Its about time I figured that out!"  :-) I guess that I've been having one of those periods in my life where I just haven't felt like its worth the effort to do anything extra. So I just get by doing little as possible and let it all slide! Lately it seems that every time I stick my head up that someone is waiting to take a swing at it (figuratively speaking...I hope??). The harder I try to get out from under the pressure, stress, and unfavorable circumstances...the deeper I go the other direction!

I don't know about you, but most of my life I have had a problem controlling my own life situations. If you've ever had the privilege of watching one of my favorite old movies "Sergeant York", then you might remember the turkey shoot scene where the main character Alvin York, situated n the woods with rifle in hand, would do a "gobble gobble" turkey call and suddenly out of curiosity, the dumb old turkey would raise his head from hind the safety of the log to see what it was that he heard just long enough to hear... BAM! (Ouch! That would be moment he lost his head)

That's me! Instead of being the hero of the movie that eventually wins the war...I'm the doggone turkey that's in trouble!! I've done it over and over and over again. I hear the "gobble gobble" call from the world around me and I just have to check it out. I can't wait on God..no way, I gotta do it now in my time before the opportunity is missed (I think). Luckily I've never lost my head literally, but sometimes I think I have lost it figuratively speaking. How easily I forget that the only peace I have ever truly felt in life has been when I quit the self-controlling aspect of my life and turn things over to God.  Unfortunately, my commitment to let God handle my circumstances soon fades away and off in the distance... I hear the lure of another turkey call. It's a call that for some reason always sounds so good to me that I cannot resist the urge to check it out one more time. I justify it by thinking, "After all this is new and different and surely God won't mind?" But..later, like the dog in the picture, I'm stuck...I'm in deep again! I'm depressed, discouraged, overwhelmed, and I'm having a self pity party thinking..."Way to go dummy!"  I'm sure that if that dog keeps acting like me, then by the time he is old he will end up in the trunk! Poor doggy!

A Christian cannot control his or her life. When we accept Christ as Lord we give that right up...He Is Lord! Of course if we want to eat and have shelter we Christians need to work, plan, and keep moving in life just like the unbelieving world, but we also are called to trust God to control and guide where we are going and even to trust him with the events that happen along the way. We trust though we often do not have a clue what he is up to in our lives and we trust as well when things look the worst. If someone tells you that the Christian life is all rosy then they haven't read the bible. God is God and we are to trust through the good and the bad...That is called faith! The good news is that we can make it through the tuff times with hs guidance and better days are ahead.

So if you are feeling sort of like the dog in the photo today just remember that, like the dog there in the back seat, you are not in the driver's seat. The picture doesn't show the driver, but we know who is really at the wheel of our lives. You know, if the dog had been watching and had stayed closer to the driver then most likely  he would not be in the situation he is in.  He would still wobble and fall occasionally along the way, but he would have made it home safely. You now...I'll bet ya that he was looking out the window at some turkeys and not paying attention to to his master when his the car stopped!  :-)  Where is your attention today? "Gobble Gobble"

Renee & Bobby by John Godfrey

Have you ever heard the old song "Rainy Days and Mondays (or was that Sundays?) Always Make Me Cry? Well these pictures were not done on a Monday or a Sunday, but it sure was a soggy rainy day for an outdoor wedding! The event was a few weeks ago and the good news... no one really cried (about the rain that is) and all turned out pretty well in spite of mother nature's wet surprise.

Sure it wasn't your cut and dried wedding day...the crowd had to stand because the seats were wet, the bride with her bridesmaid and the groom along with his best man all arrived with umbrellas in hand. The photographer (that was me in case you haven't figured that one out yet) had a camera in one hand and an umbrella in the other. That was a tricky situation for sure and during it all the Chickamauga Creek was rising behind the gazebo! In the end it was a fun day an everyone had fun even if they did get a little wet.

Here are a few pictures from that day. Thanks Renee and Bobby for letting me be a part of your day. May your future be bright and may God guide your path.

John

Kevin and Lisa and Family in the Park 11-08-09

This was a fun shoot in the park with Kevin, Lisa, Hannah, and Josh ...well until the end when Josh jumped from the truck and broke a tooth out! But all ended sort-of well because at least the pictures were done!  Sorry Josh!

Goodbye Uncle Keith by John Godfrey

I wanted to take just a minute to say goodbye to my Uncle Keith. Yesterday, October 9th 2009, we buried one of the true Hero's of what has been called the "Greatest Generation". Keith Shinault was a quiet, highly intelligent, respectful, and gentle man that lived mostly to himself.throughout his life. Through his sacrifice and service to his country he represented what has been good about America in the past, and in many instances he represents what is still good about the people of our nation. The people of America sacrifice to help those that cannot, or do not have the means to help themselves.

As a World War 2 Veteran and a Prisoner of War he sacrificed more than we give him, or those like him credit for. He served aboard a B17 Bomber, was shot out of the sky over Berlin Germany, he was wounded, and then captured. Finally toward the end of the war he was liberated and came home. Keith never complained about his rights or about what he felt that he should receive for his service. He simply lived a quiet life without fanfare. Without a doubt I believe that if a Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or member of the Coast Guard is sent into harms way by our government to protect our freedoms, then their needs should be taken care of when they return home. Help should be available to give them a chance here at home, especially if they are injured in the line of duty. In my opinion we could and should do more for veterans and less for illegals or those that will simply not work. However it seems that Keith's generation more than any other in our history, remained quiet and thankful for the victory they helped secure. They did what they did because they felt it was their duty and they loved their country.  

Tomorrow November 11th is Veterans Day so I'll give my Uncle Keith one more salute and say farewell for now. I'll end by saying thank you to all other veterans past and present including my son Kerry and my cousin Joe, because Freedom is Never Free!

Veterans and Americans can have a great Veterans Day because of what all veterans have done!

Its time to say thanks America!

You Have One Day Left... So Just Do It! by John Godfrey

You forgot didn't you? Go ahead and just admit it and you'll feel better I promise. You still have time...you can do it if you want to bad enough! But I have to tell you that you only have one day left and then the chance will be gone. No second chances! No saying I'm sorry! No excuses! I have to admit it myself...I almost forgot so that is why I am reminding you before its too late. Don't delay...DO IT NOW!

Do you know what October is? Yes I know its a month of the year. Yep... I know it is when Halloween comes. And yes I know that it is when the leaves change colors and then drop dead! Am I obnoxious enough for you yet? Oh well I guess if you know me well enough or you have read any of my blogs then you know I can ramble for a long time without saying much...sorry I guess its a gift!

Okay, enough of my giving you a hard time so I'll get on with it. October is Pastor Appreciation Month!! No, I'm not talking about the place where the cows stay! I'm talking about your preacher ya ninny!  Have you told your Pastor how much you appreciate him yet? Why should you do that you ask? There are plenty of others that will do it so no need for you to bother...you say? Well hang with me a few minutes while I give you a few of my reasons to let your Pastor know that he is appreciated. Remember this is coming from me, a preachers kid, so my views are tainted a little from experiencing the Pastor's family life first hand. There are many things that go on in a pastors life that you may not be aware of. Things that many times go unappreciated and unnoticed, never the less these are a part of a pastors existence; and his wife and children too.

While writing this I personally have a few pastors in mind that have had a positive impact on my life. None are perfect and I'm sure that all have made mistakes both before their ministries began and during their pastorates. Some have had big churches and some have had smaller ones. Most are Baptist like me, and one is a Church of God Pastor, but they have one thing in common...a heart for the Gospel and the people they serve. Here are just a few reasons from my own experience why I say that I appreciate each of you. I'll list the names of these Pastors at the end of this blog. I really do appreciate what any true pastor does for his God and his people. Here is what I see in those of you that live the life you preach:

1. You put your heart into what you are called to do Sunday after Sunday and year after year with very little real heart felt response from those you serve. The messages you preach are prepared with much study and prayer, yet many times you see little change in the hearts and minds of your congregations. We seem numb and disconnected at times, but yet you come back and do it again the next service because it is your call.
   
2. I know about the late night calls, the hospital visits, the long hours comforting a dying friend and their families as they enter into eternity.
3. The prayers you pray for people in your church, or even the prayers for those you may not know. You simply pray for strangers at the request of others.
4. The times you have to explain to your family that vacation plans have been changed because of unexpected illness or death in the church. Or the times you returned home early for the same reasons or just to reside over a wedding where the couple wants you and no one else.
5. (Thinking strictly in the flesh here) I also know that you are human and there are times that you hold your peace when you have every right to speak it. Those times when you are treated unjustly. Like most men you would probably love to tell the gossipers what you really think when they set out to destroy the reputations of people in your flock. At times it's your reputation they want to destroy, but you do your best to take the high road instead as you try to maintain unity in the church. 
6. You take it as calmly as you can when folks talk about who they like and don't like; especially when they are talking about preachers in the area, choir directors, church leaders, and church staff. You listen to complaints about the music program, the air conditioning, the heat, hymns verses worship songs, youth programs, the church budget, the janitor, small group problems, worship times, carpet colors, piano placement, drums and guitars in the church; sermons too long; need I say more? You must be "God called" to put up with all of that. Trust me, most of us parishioners would have bowed out long ago or possibly "punched out" some spiritual lights! However for some reason we expect you to take it with a spiritual smile. We church members can be a great bunch of people, but we can  be a bit self-centered and un-Christ-like as well. Maybe we should include a little extra money in your check fr babysitting us imature Christians?  :-)  Ooch!
   
7. Many times we expect our preachers to live in a little lower lifestyle (financially speaking) than we do (May the good Lord help you if you live below my lifestyle   :-)  So if you get a new car or new home then you may be deemed worldly or showy! Of course we drive new cars and live in nice places, but you must live the life of sacrifice in the eyes of some. God help you if we ever see you in a swim suit!...in public...Yikes! (I'm sounding a little ugly here huh? It's true though correct? Not all but some.)
   
8. Our expectations of how you and your family should dress and act can be unrealistic and can add undeserved pressure on you and your family. Pressure and unreal expectations can be a breeding ground for resentment especially in your wife and children, but you do our best to keep that from happening.
9. Whether you pastor a large church or a small one; whether you are full-time or bi-vocational; or even if you are not serving in a pastorate right now at all, you serve where and when God gives the opportunities.
10. You stick with it through thick and thin; through good and bad; and you live a faithful life of service setting the example for our spiritual growth!
    

As I end this long blog to go walk on water somewhere let me say that for all you do, and for all you represent I (along with many others as well I'm sure) say "Thank You" to you, your wives, and families. Personally, I and my wife Pat do appreciate each of you listed below more than you know.

• To my pastor Darrell Henry Oakwood Baptist Chuch Chickamauga Georgia who is faithful to the preaching of the Word in Truth and for leading his flock toward spiritual maturity. Thanks for being trustworthy!
  
• To Paul Raines my friend throughout life that has ministered to people that are un-churched. For leading countless numbers to the Lord while personally doing it without recognition or applause. He has also ministered to my family and I over the years by listening and by being completely non-judgemental. A friend and pastor that was always there when I needed a friend and prayer. 
• To my Uncle Ramon Clark that has always remained faithful to his calling. Watching him remain steady in his faith through the years even after his wife, my aunt Doris, lost her sight. Their example has meant much to me.
• To my High School buddy Steve Smith that I have also watched over the years as he remained faithful to his call through the good and the bad as well. 

To all of you...Keep it up and when you feel down just remember in the middle of all the uglyness that can happen in this world...at least you have beautiful feet!  :-)  

Rom 10:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

www.oakwoodbc.org

Halloween and The Day I Decided to Never Ever Put On A Costume Again! by John Godfrey

Okay here I go...I'm going to once again open myself up to renewed ridicule, embarrassment, and memories that I had almost forgotten! Or at least memories that I have tried to forget!

I was a pre-teen about eleven or twelve years old I think; it was Halloween; there was a Halloween Party; a party that went wrong; terribly wrong at least for me in the "Country Music Capital" called Nashville Tennessee.

I was young and inexperienced in life. In no way could I be called a "party dude" because the truth of the matter was that before this night I had never been to a party where my parents were not present. I guess I was sort-of sheltered or protected to that point. There were good reasons for being protected by my parents I guess since we lived in west Nashville and it was a pretty rough part of town. But now...on this Halloween night I was about to break out of the little boy mold as my parents restraints would also be broken; I would be part of the teenage crowd; finally... I would be cool! This night was long awaited and I wanted to graduate from childhood with style...I wanted to fit in with the big guys and girls!

Earlier in the week my brother Barry had asked me if I wanted to go to a Halloween party with him. He was older and ran with older kids so this was an unusual request that caught me by surprise. However, I jumped at the chance to go. He went on to further explain to me that it was a dress up or costume party. Now my family would be what some in financial circles would refer to as poor, broke, and underprivileged, and they would be correct for sure. There was no way that I could afford to buy a costume and neither could Barry, so we had to "dress up" by making our own costumes. They were not scary outfits, no monster suits, no ghost stuff, they were....well, if you have to know... I admit it...OUR OUTFITS WERE WOMEN'S DRESSES! There are you happy? I said it and it's finally out in the open!!! Oh and you may as well know that on top of that we adorned ourselves with jewelry and make-up, and we stuffed our dresses to appear anatomically correct! It felt wierd but I just gotta say...We Were HOT STUFF!  :-) Hey it wasn't serious stuff I promise, it was for fun and besides everyone else would be dressed up too...wouldn't they?

Finally it was time to go to the party so we jumped into Barry's first car, a 1953 Chevy, and off we went dressed like two ladies out on the town. We had a blast passing folks and blowing kisses along the way until we finally arrived at the house where the fun was to begin. After tastefully climbing out of the car as you would expect ladies to do, we walked up to the house just as the sun was setting and darkness had fallen. We heard laughter coming from the rear of the house so together we strolled rather prissily around to the where they all were. Just as expected the girls and guys were sitting by the campfire...laughing...raosting hot-dogs...and then...BUMMER! Not one single person was dressed up! NO COSTUMES!  :-(  Suddenly, everything fell quiet and all eyes were on me! Frozen in my tracks I heard the back door slam shut behind me and I turned to find that Barry had gone inside. I stood silent not knowing what to do for what seemed like an hour. I wondered where in the world Barry had gone? A few minutes later that question was answered as he appeared in the doorway. He had his regular everyday clothes on. THE STINKIN DRESS WAS GONE! NO MAKE-UP! NO JEWELRY! AND HE HAD A GREAT BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE!!!! (Sorry I didn't mean to shout)

So here am I "Suzy Q" wondering what to do when Barry asked me, "What...you didn't bring your other clothes just in case?"My reply simply was, "WHAT? I had no idea that there was any reason for a JUST IN CASE! So no...I have no change of clothes; no pants; no hair brush to comb out my girly hair style; and no fingernail polish remover; and no escape! What's a girl to do?"Of course Barry wasn't going to leave until the party was over..Needless to say...This Girl Was Stuck!

It's evident that I lived through the party and yes I did have fun even if I did have to sit funny. But without a doubt that day was the day that I decided to never ever put a costume on again for Halloween!

 Hope you Have a Happy Halloween...Wear a Costume if you want to...But Please ...Take a change of clothes!

Note about Adsense Ads on my Blog

FYI
I have decided to remove the Adsense Ads from my blog due to the fact that some ads were not in keeping with my faith or beliefs. Since the ads are automatic and usually are generated along with what seems to be the content of my blogs (i.e. Religious blog themes will usually bring up ads that are of religious nature or photography blogs will have mostly photographic type ads etc) then I have no control over the ads that are displayed. The automated ads are no ones fault, I have simply chosen to take the ads off so I will have control as to what content is on my blog. My decision was made because I have concern over religious ads that have appeared that I deem anti-Christian. I'm not trying to be controlling, but I do feel a responsibility to have resources available to you that I feel are consistent with my beliefs. 

You probably will not even notice, but just in case you are looking for additional resources that is why they are no longer here.

John

Wow! Look Who Just Landed On My Hill! by John Godfrey

Here are some photo's of an unexpected guest that landed on my hill Friday. I just wanted to share a close up look at this awsome creature called "The Hawk!" Usually we see them soaring high above us looking for prey so when my neighbor pointed out this beautiful bird I had to take a few shots. Unfortunately it seemed to be injured. My neighbor called several places trying to get help with no luck so I have no idea what happened to it. Hopefull it will survive.

I hope you enjoy these pictures. He (or she) was a gracious subject while I took the photos, but I gotta tell ya....during the session...it watched me like a HAWK!

"When You Have No Choice But To Face The Storm Head-On" by John Godfrey

The year was 1968 and I was a young man as you can see by the attached photo. I had finally finished my US Naval "Boot Camp" training way up in the cold Great Lakes region of these United States. After a short time of transition in Charleston South Carolina I finally received my orders to serve aboard the "Charging Charlie R" the quote "Protector of the Seas". The "Tin Can" Destroyer USS Charles R Ware was home based in Jacksonville Florida or Mayport Naval Station to be specific. I arrived late in the evening after "lights out" and I'll never for get the eerie feeling as I crossed the gangway that night to go aboard. This was my new home and a floating one at that! It was the first time I had ever lived in a place with nothing but men (well except for Boot-Camp)and it was definitely the first place I had ever lived that had large cannon like guns, ASROC Missiles, a number of machine guns, and enough large shell ammunition stored on board to blow us all sky high! It was exciting, but no doubt a bit uncomfortable to say the least.

Eventually I  settled into my normal routine and I found that it wasn't too bad being stationed down there in sunny Florida...well until the news came; news that there was a huge storm coming! This was no ordinary storm, it was a hurricane and we were told that we needed to quickly prepare to head out to sea in order to ride the storm out! After hearing this I think my exact words were; "Say What?...Are we crazy?". If you have never seen a Naval Destroyer then you may not realize just how small they are when compared to other ships such as an Aircraft Carrier or a Cruise Liner. Destroyers were given the nic-name "Tin Can" because they bobble up, down, and under the water just like a tin can would! Half the time you actually feel like you're on a submarine! Maybe if you picture your house (as a Destroyer) stretched out beside a 20 story building (the Cuise Ship) then you will get a little idea of the difference in size. So why in the world would we go out and hit a storm of this magnitude head-on instead of staying tied to port where at least it seemed safe? Glad you asked...As I soon found out, here's why.

It's really simple, ships are made for the sea. Am I smart or what? No, that's just the reason for their existence! So their chances of not being destroyed in a large storm are much better when they are sent out on the raging sea. If left.. tied up during the storm the wind and waves will crash the ships into the docks and into any other ships that are left in port. At least at sea there is a very good fighting chance of survival because that is what the ship is made for...sailing! I admit that once we made our way out of port and into deep water the adrenalin began to pump heavily as the storm approached. It was an eye-opening ordeal as we began to be engulfed in its rage and it was definitely a learning and a maturing experience.

As time went on I had the opportunity to man the ship's helm while steering the ship during several storms at sea. It can be frightening as forty foot swells with huge waves on top crash completely over the ships bridge! Or as the ships bow races down like a roller coaster into the bottom of the next wave you feel like she is going to charge straight on down to the bottom of the ocean. However thankfully she always managed to come back up before she hits the next one. Before long the storm will pass and if you keep going you will make it to your destination. This proved true each time we went to another country. Regardless of the storms size or intensity; even though we completely lost power a few times along the way sitting helplessly for a few scary minutes; and even though one time we were actually hit by another ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean;...we finally made it to many foreign countries safe and sound.

Christians are like ships. Sometimes we see the storms coming and we want to stay where it seems safe...in our churches...at home...or just quiet! Some of us are willing to face the storms while we leave part of our lines tied to the dock. We want to stay connected to the "safe" areas just in case the storms of "rejection", or "lack of faith", or the "lack of power" are too strong for us to make the trip on our own. We want to have a way back just in case our storm is too much of a force to deal with. We know that we cannot go through the Christian Life without the storms. After all Jesus told us that his followers would face the anger and storms of this world, but somehow we just can't completely let go to face the storms of life head-on. We want to live safe and without fear of being called different or weird! Some also live in disbelief that Christians can even have storms. They believe that all is well once you become a Christian. Unfortunately when the storm hits they are told it is because of their lack of faith. All of these are headed for shipwreck and discouragement too. Sooner or later they will have to face a major life storm head-on too!Its part of living in a fallen world.

I too have tried to sail my ship my way and it has at times almost destroyed my Christian walk and witness. I pray that whatever storms you and I are facing in our lives and in our Christian journey that we will let go and loosen the lines that are keeping us tied us to the dock or to our so-called safe places. A few things that will keep us bound to the dock are finances, health, family, friends, fear of rejection, political correctness, lack of faith, lack of knowledge or direction, the death of a loved one, divorce, guilt, and many more.

You and I know exactly what has us tied down and defeated in our Christian journey, but we were made to let go and go head-on through the storms on our way to the other side. God is in control and He will see us safely home. Besides you will never be thankful for the smooth sailing times unless you have weathered the storms. I pray for much smooth sailing and Gods strength to carry you through your storms.

CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR HELP WITH YOUR JOURNEY : http://www.oakwoodbc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=13014