FAITH is a wonderful thing allowing to do what we don't understand! Now, many non- religious people mock faith as something the uneducated hold to...but let me tell you this...faith let's me fly! I don't believe a many-mega-huge ton aircraft should be able to get off the ground, much less sustain flight for several hours. If I didn't have faith in the process of lift as air flows over wings, I would never get on one of those"things." We all accept so much by faith...things we can't see, things we don't understand, things we have been told by others....and I accept GOD, JESUS CHRIST, THE SPIRIT OF GOD...and like the Apostle Paul, "I live by faith not by sight." The Hebrew writer said, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that comes to God MUST believe that he is and that he rewards those who diligently seek Him." So, I have faith when I fly, I have faith in paper currency, I have faith my gas powered car will not blow up when using highly combustible fuel, and I have FAITH THAT THE GOD WHO MADE THE WORLD ( I reject the non-scientific theory that I and the world I live in are a mistake) and that he sustains it and keeps it and our sun, moon, and other planets in balance much like a huge heavenly clock. Faith!!
Vernon Garretson
Vernon Garretson
"OK kids we're going to Disneyland!" "We've waited so long...Mickey, Minnie, Pluto...finally we get to go. All of our friends get to go all the time, but not us!" Moms and Dads everywhere want the best for their children; a fine house, the best school, great clothing, toys, wonderful Christmas presents! And, if we don't get them parents feel like they've cheated them out of JOY! AND we kind of feel the same way about God...he wants me to have JOY and to have that he needs to GIVE ME money, a fine car, a big house, and a good job. If I don't have those things I've been deprived of JOY! Is that true of parents and God? Let me share a verse, Psalm 16:11, "you will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Please notice something with me...or maybe I should say a "few something's" with me. FIRST, "show me the path of life." It is not our path that God wants, but His path! He knows the way we should travel. SECOND, "in your presence is fulness of joy" most kids and adults think that they have the key to joy. It is in getting things and more things and more things. King David said joy is found in God's presence...but not just joy but FULNESS OF JOY. THIRD and last, "in your right hand there are pleasures for evermore." My friends and church family, nothing lasts for ever! Disneyland, amusement parks, cars, money, big houses, great paying jobs. But David said in God's hand are pleasures...that last forever! WOW! So joy and pleasure is a result of the right PATH, the right PRESENCE and the right RIGHT HAND! If you want lasting JOY it is found in and with GOD!
Vernon Garretson
Vernon Garretson