A PIECE OF CAKE

(Have you ever thought: "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Remember this story the next time you do.)

A daughter is telling her mom how everything is going wrong: she is struggling in algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her mom is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack.

"Absolutely, Mom, I love you cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her mom offers.

"Yuck," says the daughter.

"How about some raw eggs?" asks the mom.

"Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour on them?" asks Mom.

"Mom, these are all yucky!" says the daughter.

To which the mother replies, "Yes, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully, delicious cake."

God works the same way. Many times, we wonder why He
would let us go through such bad and difficult times.

But God knows that when He puts all these things in His
order, they always work for good! We just have to trust
Him and eventually, they will all make something wonderful.

Hope your day is "a piece of cake"!

--Sherwin

SHINE

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3 (NIV)

"If I only knew God's will for my life, I could plan my future."

Have you ever made that statement?

I think we all do some time in our lives. I know I do.

I have heard teens say so as they peer into the future. I've known young adults who say so while choosing a career. I've had this discussion with friends when they realized a little time management allows for a few extra hours in each week. Other mothers and I have wondered the same when we became empty nesters. I know those about to retire search for "God's plan for this phase of my life."

So what is God's plan for our lives? If you are like me, you want particulars. Only I am not sure God always gives us the step-by-step instructions we desire.

I remember a time in my life when I asked God to give me direction. I asked that He tell me where to move. My husband and I had a choice, but had to give an answer quickly.

"Tonight," my husband said, "I have to respond to the offer this evening." He suggested I spend the day in prayer and give him the verdict by dinnertime.

I sat down at my dining room table to pray. I explained to God what He already knew: "We have these opportunities. Do we go here or there?"

Silence.

"We want to go where You lead us. Where would that be?"

Silence.

"We want to honor You."

Silence.

"Do You know that we have to give an answer today? I'm waiting to hear from You." I sat as still as possible, trying to be patient.

God never told me where to go that day, but He did remind me that His plan for each one of us is universal and at the same time unique.

As I considered my two alternatives, my mind traveled back in time to the many moves my husband and I had made. Wherever we had lived, God had laid out unique opportunities for us to serve Him and each chance to minister appeared under one universal command, "Let your light shine. Love one another."

He had never specifically told us to start a bus ministry, serve as youth leaders, host a neighborhood Bible study, or mentor teens in a youth home.

I began to realize that God was not going to tell me where to move. He had a message for me. I remember it to this day, twenty-two years later.

"It really doesn't matter where you are. You are in Me and I am in you. Wherever you live, wherever you go, wherever you work, you will find people who need Me. Introduce them to your heavenly Father. Live a life that
encourages others to seek Me. Love all people. Teach them how to live. Use your life, your actions, and My Word. This is what you can do whether you live here or there. Remember, wherever you go, I am with you. Wherever you
go take Me with you and let your light shine."

As I said, God never told me where we should move. We made our choice to take God with us asking Him to use our lives to bring His Light into others' lives.

Ever wonder what God's will is for your life? It's simple:

Shine!

Dear Lord, Your Word clearly details Your plan for my life. Forgive me for wanting all the specific details before I step out to reflect Your glory. I want to spend my days shining as a light in the darkness. In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

COURAGE

John the Baptist. He truly was a "different" character.

When those around him were wearing Under Armour and Nike tunics, he was wearing a home-made version of camel hair. His diet of locust and honey made him "organic" long before they starting twice as much for it!

But what made John the Baptist stand out was his unwavering commitment to live and proclaim his worldview in a hostile environment.

When church-goers were content to "fill their pew", John the Baptist called them to follow Christ.

When church leaders grew infatuated with position, status and hierarchy, he called them to repentance.

When King Herod wanted to have an affair with Herodias, his brother's wife, John stood up and said, "That is wrong."

The latter would eventually cost him his head.

We live in an ever increasingly "gray" world where the politically correct are applauded for their tolerance and where those who forsake such shallow ovations are denigrated.

The "morally courageous" are prompted to act rightly in the face of popular opposition.

by Dr. Gary Cramer

WHERE DOES YOUR FAITH LIE

If you have been keeping up with current events, you know that the story told by the media is very bleak. Unemployment numbers are at an all time high, crime is on the rise, marital relationships are deteriorating, the
financial institutions and auto companies are failing, and life threatening diseases are killing thousands of people.

One could find themselves depressed, panicky, stressed and overwhelmed if they allowed these reports to rule their lives. And what's unfortunate is that the church sometimes seems to be just as scared right now as the world.

Which brings me to the question of where or in whom does your faith lay?

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7

If your faith is built on worldly institutions, then yes, you should be running to the hills fearing for your life.

But if you have built your faith in God, then your head should still be held high as you confidently go through each day knowing God is in control.

Now I am not foolish enough to think that we won't sometimes get discouraged and that worry may not creep up and rear its ugly head. But when those times come, we must seek God, maybe like we have never done before, to get through those times.

God knows that our faith will sometimes be shaken up. He just wants you to take that first baby step.

"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Have you seen the size of a mustard seed? It's tiny!

So don't throw in the towel because you can't seem to muster up an overwhelming amount of faith.

Walk in the little bit you may have. And as you continue to seek God's face and direction, your faith will continue to grow.

It's just like a flower, you have to water it and nurture it in order to cultivate it.

And there is no better time than the present to start (or continue) that process.

Do it and watch God honor your commitment.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6