Fall Creek Christian Church

"Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. If he commands it, the sun won't rise and the stars won't shine. He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. He made all the stars -- the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky. His great works are too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number." Job 9:5-10 During some recent stargazing, I found myself lost in the wonder of our galaxy. One galaxy among billions. Our sun one star in our galaxy among billions. Our planet one of 8 (or 9) in our solar system. Our life one of billions on the planet. All ... galaxies, stars, planets and people made by God and for God ... each made specifically, uniquely, and intimately known by him. Job, even in the midst of his agony and heartbreak, couldn't be shaken from his deep awe and fear of God. The One who is above

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and every one." Psalm 34:18-19 As I walked to my youngest daughter's room to say, "Good night", the emotional truck ran me over. She's not there anymore. An entire day of moving her into her college dorm was blocked from my memory -- for just a second. Even positive and healthy events are accompanied with heartache not to mention the agony of negative events. What do we do with it? David knew heartbreak. He was betrayed, slandered and hunted like a wild animal. He buried two of his children, one who tried to kill him. He was crushed under the weight of his own guilt and sin and disciplined sharply by God. His response? Run to God and don't let go. He leaned into God's nearness. This week some of us will lose our job. Some will be served divorce papers. Some will head to bankruptcy. Others of us wil

"O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me Lord for you are a faithful God." Psalm 31:1-8 As the snow continued to pile up, I couldn't wait to get out there and make things happen. A snowman, an igloo, and most importantly, a snow fortress. All the neighbor kids found their way outside and the snow wars began. It was great! Snowballs flying up and over snow walls. Dozens of carefully crafted snowballs lined up and ready for battle. I have no idea how long it lasted, but as the sun set, the biting cold and mom's call brought us home with plenty of stories to tell, particularly about m

"'Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are just men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!' These words greatly encouraged the people." II Chronicles 32:7-8 On a regular basis, I speak with people who are on the edge of the edge. It may be at church. It may be at the gas station. It may be in my home. It may be the face looking back at me in the mirror. Life is hard. Storms are raging and thundering bringing us to our knees. We are left weathered and wondering. Will they ever pass? Will we ever rise in victory? The nation of Judah was in a bad situation. Outnumbered and outgunned, they were looking down the barrel of certain defeat and destruction. King Hezekiah, however, viewed the situation through a different set of eyes. His people were not the easy prey the enemy determined they were. They were