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Life is so full of uncertainties. Wouldn’t it be great if there were at least a few things we could count on? Some constants to give us a reliable foundation for the beginning of each new day? Well, Jesus assures us there are. Unfortunately, not all of them are good:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Haven’t you found that to be true? In my sixty odd years of living, I’ve yet to come across a day that didn’t have MORE than enough trouble in it to keep me well occupied. Even on the best of days, little nagging things will go wrong.

And our response to those troubles is equally consistent. We worry. And we are so terribly good at it. I’m reminded of English class and how we used to conjugate all the various forms of a verb. Well worry is a verb and we’ve leaned to worry in a way that has all the verb forms covered: Past, present and future tenses; singular and plural; first, second and third person; we do them all. And no matter what form our worrying takes, it is so insidiously destructive. Literally billions of dollars are spent every year treating the physical and emotional damage we do to ourselves through our worrying. The list of ailments being attributed to worry, including some forms of cancer and heart disease, grows daily. Despite this growing evidence against worrying and the clear instructions of our Savior to avoid it, we continue to make it one of our constant companions of every day.

In His instructions against worry (Matthew 6:25-34), Jesus tells us to look at the evidence of the Father’s faithfulness in the world around us. Birds that don’t plant or harvest, but are fed. Grass that does not labor or spin but is clothed in splendid beauty. Then Jesus asks us this simple but awesome question, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” Read the rest of this entry »

This is not ministry-related but I found this article so valuable, I felt that I should pass the link to others:

USAA (an auto insurance company) has posted an article about buying an automobile (new or used). The article was written by someone who worked in the business for six months and then left. Here are some highlights:

• Show up with printouts listing market values, trade-in values, financing options, rebates and other information
• Take an uninvolved friend to run interference when the salesperson gets agressive
• Stick to your budget
• Get pre-approved financing
• Don’t buy any extras or add-ins

Actually, there is MUCH more to the article but you will just have to read it to get the full benefit. I recommend it highly – even if you are not in the market for another automobile – you will someday. Check it out here.

Ray

The world has been abuzz for the past week about the governor of Alaska, Mrs. Sarah Palin, who is the Republican VP candidate with Senator John McCain.  There has been a lot of stuff flying around as people attempt to know her, to understand her and to size her up as a possible leader of the free world.

I listened to her speech on Wednesday night and drew some conclusions about the way we value leadership and assess its potential. See what you think… Read the rest of this entry »