FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART October 14, 2024

Life is filled with both highs and lows. This truth has been driven home to me this weekend, as my two favorite football teams have demonstrated it. My favorite college team had a decisive victory on Saturday, while my lifelong preferred NFL team did not even show up for the game on Sunday. It was fun watching my Longhorns defeat their longtime bitter rival. Yet, it was sad seeing the Dallas Cowboys getting humiliated.

One thing that I have learned over the years is that sporting events are fun to watch, but at the end of the day it is only a game. No matter how well or how poorly my team performs, life still goes on when the game is over. This is true, even when my grandsons are on the team. While I do enjoy watching them play, the final outcome of the game has no lasting consequences. No matter whether they win or lose, they were happy to be a part of the team. And I am happy to see them happy!

However, there are some things in life that truly do matter. When it comes to the health, the happiness, or the heartaches of those that we love, this is really important. These things are of such great concern that we make them a matter of prayer. We may be powerless to make the problems disappear. Yet, we know that our God is able to do for us, what we cannot do for ourselves. There is nothing beyond the power of our Lord to overcome. Jesus taught in Matthew 19:26 that “with God all things are possible.”

My weekend was filled with ups and downs, from the high of my first “Discovery Flight” to the low of seeing my Cowboys embarrassed. Yet, the thing that truly matters in my life is the fact that people I love and care about are continuing to battle health issues. At the same time, I was blessed to be a part of a spiritual high, as a group gathered at CBC on Sunday afternoon to pray for our nation. My spirit was filled with hope, as we poured out our hearts before the Lord and lifted up the needs of the people who are hurting. I came away claiming the promise of Philippians 4:19: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” My prayers are with all of you, as we find victory in Jesus!

Serving in love,

Bro. Jim