Living a Life on the Run

After almost two days now, the man who escaped the prison is still on the loose (see previous post for more information), I can only imagine what his life has been like these past couple of days - wherever he has been hiding. I can only imagine what the rest of his days on the run will be like - looking over his shoulder all of the time, apprehensive about his next action, cautious about his every move.

Although we can only imagine what this must be like for him, many are living a life on the run, and they are seeking rest and safety somewhere, anywhere. Some have been running for days, months, even years. Your are exhausted and weary - unsure of what lies ahead. 

God is our Sanctuary. God is our hiding place - out refuge. God is our strength and our redeemer. God is our ever present help in times of trouble.

If you've been running, God invites you to come to Him and find rest and safety.

A Life of Freedom

The escaped prisoner is still on the loose (see previous post for more information) and he is reported to still be in the Robinson area.

My wife and I went driving around town this afternoon. As we did I could not help but notice the absence of people - especially children; very few people walking down the sidewalk, no one playing at the park, very few people out in their yards.

It occurs to me - as I sit in my living room, all of our doors and windows closed, not allowing our children to go outside - that many are acting as prisoners in their homes today. Many are sitting behind closed - some locked - doors in fear and apprehension of what could be.

The same is true for many as they live their lives in fear; so many are lacking the knowledge, so many are lacking the hope, so many are lacking the freedom that can be found in Christ.

And those of us that have the knowledge, understand the hope, and have experienced the freedom that is found on Jesus need to be sharing His truth with those  who are so desperately in need.

No one needs to live a life of fear!

No one needs to live a life of hopelessness!

No one needs to live a life of imprisonment!

 

Jesus has set us free!

Let us get out and share His truth with the world.

Free Car Wash

As a local church family, we have the constant call and desire to serve the community and share the love of Christ in a practical way. Today we accomplished this through an "Absolutely FREE Car Wash"! We set out with the intent to wash as many cars as possible, to charge nothing for the car washes and to accept no money for our act of love and service. Several means of promotion were done weeks in advance and various signs were made up announcing that this car was was, in fact, "absolutely free".

What we were not expecting was how skeptical people are to anything that promises to be "free". Many cars drove right past because they felt like there must be a catch to this free car wash. Some pulled in with expectation that some donation would be asked for and they seemed to be amazed when we told them that this car wash was, in fact, absolutely free. Then there was the man that almost demanded that I take his money, reacted to my statement that we were not accepting money for this act of service, and peeled out of the parking lot without allowing us to wash his vehicle.

I was blessed through this event today but I was also confused by the reluctance of people to accept "free" and skepticism of people anytime the word "free" is mentioned. But, as I thought about everything this evening it struck me that perhaps this is how many unbelievers see the message of Jesus Christ, His love for them, and the grace and hope that He promises to anyone that places their trust in Him. He promises all of humankind these gifts and He offers them "absolutely free". And, the most amazing thing - the most awesome things - is that it is absolutely free - THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED!  

See, I have been a believer for more than 17 years now and I have been a pastor for more almost six years, and I don't understand all this. I don't understand why God loves me in the first place. I don't understand why He freely gives me the gifts of hope, forgiveness, and an eternal future with Him in glory. I don't understand it but I know that Jesus promises it. And because I know of Christ's promises, because He has assured me that it truly is "absolutely free" - that all I have to do is call on His offer, allow Him to wash me and make me clean, and accept His gifts - I place my faith and my trust in Him.

Pure Worship

Sometimes I wish we could all go back and remember what it was like to be a kid again. The early days of Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Summer Camp, and children's choir were some of the purest days of worship. The freedom to sing loud, clap our hands, and dance was never stifled by the worry of what others might think or say. 


Too often we let our concern and awareness of others put a restriction on our worship of God. And that's when our worship services are filled with statues and frowns.

If you have ever attended a church service that feels more like a funeral than a worship service. This is for you! We all need to remember to have joy in our lives and that it's okay to laugh and enjoy our lives as we walk with the Lord.

This week, let us "cut loose" and worship The One that created the universe!