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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
To Infinity and Beyond
September 29, 2005
Dear friends,
If you happen to walk by a car and notice Buzz Lightyear
sitting on the dashboard, it might be mine. I needed
something to remind me that I have the power to do some
incredible things. I say this because it is pretty easy to
become discouraged and feel helpless. We live in a very
unpredictable world. Just look at what happened along the
Gulf Coast last month. The people were just living life one
day and the next day everything they had was washed away.
It doesn't take a natural disaster to wreak the same kind of
havoc in our lives. We all know people who woke up one
morning and had their spouse tell them they wanted a
divorce. We have mourned with families whose lives have
been changed in an instant when a sudden death occurred.
We have friends who lost their jobs in a downswing in the
economy. I know one man who is beside himself because his
daughter is an alcoholic and she is slowly destroying
herself. There is a mom who is filled with guilt because her
daughter is pregnant and unmarried. The truth is that many
of us have been touched by some event that has left us
feeling weak and powerless to do anything.
The apostle Paul must have felt that way sitting in prison. He
was arrested simply because he was preaching the Good
News. He had started Churches. He was changing lives. He
must have felt on top of the world right up until that moment
when they slapped the chains on him. We can identify with
Paul because, like him, we are trying to honor God with our
lives and do the right thing. What we are doing doesn't seem
to matter when the storms of life overpower us.
So what does Paul do when his life is turned upside down?
He looks to God for strength and direction. In his letter to
the Philippians he writes, "I can do all things through him
who strengthens me." You see Paul has learned that
nothing is impossible for him if he trusts in God: For God will
find a way to turn things around again. Don Moen wrote a
song entitled, "God Will Find A Way" and it touches on the
fact that our Lord will not let anything stop Him from
accomplishing His will.
So that's why I have Buzz Lightyear on my dash board. His
motto is "To infinity and beyond." Paul would like Buzz
because he is a possibility thinker. I love that scene in Toy
Story where he jumps off the bureau in an attempt to fly.
Woody begins to laugh at his naiveté and expects Buzz to
crash to the floor. Instead, through an incredible series of
events, Buzz not only flies, but he soars. You see, he knew
he could fly because that is what he was created to do. It
didn't happen exactly as he imagined. But he flew. You and I
can fly too. The Prophet Isaiah says "Those who hope in the
Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like
eagles..." So has life got you down? Then look to God and he
will lift you up.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
September 29, 2005
Dear friends,
If you happen to walk by a car and notice Buzz Lightyear
sitting on the dashboard, it might be mine. I needed
something to remind me that I have the power to do some
incredible things. I say this because it is pretty easy to
become discouraged and feel helpless. We live in a very
unpredictable world. Just look at what happened along the
Gulf Coast last month. The people were just living life one
day and the next day everything they had was washed away.
It doesn't take a natural disaster to wreak the same kind of
havoc in our lives. We all know people who woke up one
morning and had their spouse tell them they wanted a
divorce. We have mourned with families whose lives have
been changed in an instant when a sudden death occurred.
We have friends who lost their jobs in a downswing in the
economy. I know one man who is beside himself because his
daughter is an alcoholic and she is slowly destroying
herself. There is a mom who is filled with guilt because her
daughter is pregnant and unmarried. The truth is that many
of us have been touched by some event that has left us
feeling weak and powerless to do anything.
The apostle Paul must have felt that way sitting in prison. He
was arrested simply because he was preaching the Good
News. He had started Churches. He was changing lives. He
must have felt on top of the world right up until that moment
when they slapped the chains on him. We can identify with
Paul because, like him, we are trying to honor God with our
lives and do the right thing. What we are doing doesn't seem
to matter when the storms of life overpower us.
So what does Paul do when his life is turned upside down?
He looks to God for strength and direction. In his letter to
the Philippians he writes, "I can do all things through him
who strengthens me." You see Paul has learned that
nothing is impossible for him if he trusts in God: For God will
find a way to turn things around again. Don Moen wrote a
song entitled, "God Will Find A Way" and it touches on the
fact that our Lord will not let anything stop Him from
accomplishing His will.
So that's why I have Buzz Lightyear on my dash board. His
motto is "To infinity and beyond." Paul would like Buzz
because he is a possibility thinker. I love that scene in Toy
Story where he jumps off the bureau in an attempt to fly.
Woody begins to laugh at his naiveté and expects Buzz to
crash to the floor. Instead, through an incredible series of
events, Buzz not only flies, but he soars. You see, he knew
he could fly because that is what he was created to do. It
didn't happen exactly as he imagined. But he flew. You and I
can fly too. The Prophet Isaiah says "Those who hope in the
Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like
eagles..." So has life got you down? Then look to God and he
will lift you up.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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