Warmest greetings my beloved. Just thought I would change things up a bit from the standard happy Saturday greeting. I do hope that you have had a good week. Take a moment and reflect upon how you have seen God at work in your life. Identify one or two things and then praise Him for what He is doing.
Please join us on Sunday as Pastor Fitsum begins a three-week series discussing Leadership Traits found in Acts 20.
One of Michelle’s favorite things to do on the 4th of July is to go out to Corporate Woods and watch their fireworks display. For many years now we have made the journey out there to sit in a parking lot and wait for a very long time. When the kids were younger, we would take balls to play catch, frisbees and other things to occupy our time. Of course, we also take homemade ice cream, monster cookies, and other healthy items to feast upon. Last year, thanks to the Covid crisis, we got a respite from this extravaganza. Fortunately, this year, the event was held once again. As usual, we loaded up all of our supplies and went and staked our claim in our designated spot. After spending the time equivalent to a class B felony, it was time for the show to start. For what ever reason, it seemed to start rather slow. The first projectile was probably a test shot. Sadly, it did not ascend to the edge of space like Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origen space capsule. In fact, it didn’t really clear the tree line from our vantage point. Then, after a delay, a second shot went up with similar results. Then a third. Finally, the show began in earnest, and we were able to marvel at the exploding projectiles and the various colors and shapes on display. Some would light up the sky with vivid colors. Others would burst forth and then send smaller projectiles in all directions. A few just sounded like a huge explosion. After a while, you could hear the sound of numerous fireworks being launched in rapid succession. Soon, the sky was literally filled with fireworks of every size and color. It was all that you would expect from the grand finale. After a few minutes, the sky grew quiet. The lights faded and a large amount of smoke hung in the air. At that point, everyone started clapping, whistling and hollering as they typically do at the end of the show. People began getting up to head to their cars to beat the rest of the traffic. Then, unexpectedly, another firework launched. Then another. And another. This went on for a few more minutes. It was all a bit strange. I am not sure what happened, but it seems as though some might have launched out of sequence. Typically, the grand finale is just that. It happens at the end. Nevertheless, it was a good show and worth watching. It was also a reminder, sometimes things don’t go as planned. I am sure they spent a good deal of time planning every aspect of the show. The wiring diagram, the sequence on the computer, etc. were likely reviewed more than once. But, somehow, someway, the grand finale preceded a series of regular fireworks.
Life is like that sometimes. Things just don’t go as planned. The other day, I went over to Amanuel to check and see what all we still have in our shed over there. Brother Fitsum and I walked over there, and I opened the door. I began to review all that I could see from the outside. Then, I stepped in to see what we had left in the metal cabinet. I opened the door and checked out the meager items we had left behind. Unbeknownst to me, a wasp decided that it did not like me nosing around. As I looked in the cabinet, it made a sneak attack and landed on my shoulder blade. I never saw it or felt it land on me until it was too late. Without warning, it plunged its stinger into my back. I immediately felt the sting and then saw the culprit flying about. For several hours it felt like I had a needle stuck in my back. Obviously, when I went to check out the stuff in the shed getting stung was not on my to-do list. Nevertheless, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. Similar to the other day when I discovered I had a nail in one tire and a screw in another. Life is full of little surprises. The challenge is to take it in stride and not allow these things to affect your attitude. The other day I was at the bank and there was a lady in the lane next too me acting like a complete fool. Since she was screaming, I could discern that her card was not working in the machine. For whatever reason, she decided to launch her tirade at the teller. I am not one hundred percent sure, but I don’t think the tellers are also the ones that work on the machines in the drive thru. Yes, it can be frustrating when a machine won’t read your card, but come on, is it worth making a fool of yourself?
Every day we should be grateful for the things that go smoothly. We should also recognize that not everything will go as we have planned. But that is ok. That is life. In the midst of it all, we continue to thank God for His blessings. Without realizing it, sometimes those are found when things don’t turn out the way you or I had planned.
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:13-17)
From our neighborhoods to the nations,
Pastor Larry
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