A Sea, A Storm, and a Savior

The church I attend is having revival services this week. Doug Little (songwriter, preacher, friend) is the guest speaker. On Monday night, Doug shared with us from Matthew 14 ~ when Jesus walked on the water and encouraged Peter to do the same. We've heard many sermons from that text; many of them having to do with Peter being willing to get out of the boat. I've preached some like that myself.

But Doug caused me / us to think of a totally different perspective. Jesus had just finished feeding the 5,000 and he sent his disciples out in the boat to sea. Jesus went up on the mountain to a secluded spot to pray. A storm began to rage on the sea, to the point these professional fishermen were afraid. Yet Jesus was praying on the mountain. In all likelihood, Jesus saw exactly what the disciples encountered while they were in the boat. Do you think He might have been praying for them?

At just the right time, Jesus went to the disciples ~ walking on the water. He didn't go too soon because they might not have fully realized the complete need for Him. He didn't wait too late, or they might have perished in the sea. He was exactly on time! Are you trusting Him to deliver you from your struggles, at just the right time?

When the disciples saw Him, they initially thought He was a ghost. They were afraid of the storm, and as if that weren't enough, now they have a ghost walking toward them! He quickly calmed them with His words of comfort, "Peace to you!" Will you listen to the comforting words of Jesus to you today? He longs to help you overcome your fears.

As Jesus got on the boat, the storm ceased. The disciples recognized the fact that it was Jesus' presence that calmed their worst nightmare. Their response? They worshipped Him! Jesus is worthy of our worship. He is praying for us, protects us, and His presence calms the storms in our lives. Be encouraged by the work of God. Praise Him for His comfort today. Worship Him for His presence in your life.

If you have never experienced His peace in your life, I'd be happy to share with you through any means available how you, too, can know and experience Him.

God ~ My Song in the Night

There's a mocking bird living outside the front door of the hotel where I work. This bird must have it's days and nights mixed up. Whenever I arrive at work at 11 o'clock, the bird is already chirping. When I leave at 7 AM, he's still chirping. If someone opens the doors of the hotel at any time in between, he's still chirping. In fact, there are times even when the doors and windows are closed, I hear him chirping. Even though I haven't seen the bird yet, rest assured, I know he's there.

It's become quite a conversation piece at work these last few days. Guests will come back inside after a brief trip to the parking lot and comment on the bird. Co-workers coming in to work the morning shifts comment on the bird. The nightwatchman who roams the parking lot all night long comments on the bird!

Birds who are chirping generally do so in the wee hours of the morning. The sound of birds many times remind us of spring. This bird, however, is chirping all night long and we are still in the dead of winter.

Could this bird teach us some life lessons? Although I've not seen God, I know He's there! I have seen the evidence of God. I see His creation and I have experienced His love, care, concern, grace ~ the list could go on and on.

The sound of a singing bird can be an encouraging sound. To know the God of the Universe is aware of my every need, and is willing to meet my needs is an encouraging thought in what could be a discouraging world. God longs to help us when we are hurting. He wants to bear our burdens.

Like the bird's song in the night, God's presence is a conversation piece. I'm happy to tell people when God meets our needs. I'm happy to know that He is indeed my friend that sticks closer than a brother. I'm glad to share with others the grace that He lovingly and willingly bestows on those who will trust Him.

That news applies to you as well. God wants to be your friend. He wants to meet your needs. He wants to shower you with His grace. Will you let Him be your song in the night?

Spring Training ~ Here Comes Baseball

Its hard to believe Spring Training 2011 is almost here. To non-baseball fans it doesn't mean anything. To the moderate baseball fan, it may not mean much. But to the baseball fan who truly loves the game, and particularly to those of us who live in Florida (or Arizona, I suppose) it means a LOT!

It is our time of year when we can view our favorite past-time up close and personal. I've been to quite a few baseball games in the past. I'm very fortunate that way. And while a regular season game means a lot more in the grand scheme of things, going to a Spring Training game where players are a lot more accessible brings back memories of what baseball used to be.

The Dodgers moving from Vero Beach was a sad time. I attended the last Dodger game at Dodgertown. That place was the epitome of Spring Training. Players and coaches actually took time to talk to fans. Fans would walk around and follow the players and coaches to the various work out sites. Media would be right there, too. I still remember a conversation I had with a notable ESPN baseball analyst one warm Spring Training day at Dodgertown. Those were the days.

But here we are again. Spring Training is right around the corner. Although I can't attend games at Dodgertown anymore, my buddy Bob and I are fully prepared to go root on our Braves at Disney in March. We are Braves fans and that has become a favorite trip to look forward to.

For those friends still stuck in some frozen part of the United States, let this be an encouraging word to you. Baseball is right around the corner. The frigid winter will not last forever! Play ball!!!!

A New Role in Ministry

References have been made on Faison Focus of late to Trust Quartet. I began singing with them in November 2010 and have learned so much in a short amount of time. Although I've been singing for as long as I can remember, this is the first opportunity for me to sing professionally in this manner.

I would encourage you to click on the link provided and visit our website. You can find pictures, enjoy both audio and video clips, follow our schedule, as well as learn about Gary, Spence, Buzz, and myself. I will also be writing a newsletter each month to let you know what is going on in our ministry.

If your church would like to schedule Trust Quartet for a concert or event, please contact our booking agent, Pat Daunt. She'll be so glad to help you and guide you every step of the way.

Thank you for your continued prayer support for Trust Quartet and the ministry. We strive to do things professionally but we never want to lose the ministry focus.