God is in control....

This morning, for whatever reason, I have been perusing news sites and reading many articles about our economy. It is no surprise to anyone to hear that our economy is not doing so well right now.  Around every corner is another journalist willing to point out what is wrong and how to fix it. There certainly are plenty of people willing to share opinions. Some may be right and some may be wrong, but how do we know what to believe? As Christians we are told to be in the world but not of the world. Where do we turn?

I have been challenged recently to invest time in my most important relationships in my life.  Those relationships include my wife, children, parents, friends and of course God.  After my missions trip in February I was again reminded of the important things in life and quite honestly the most important thing, a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have made a concerted effort to spend more time with family and friends.  But I think more importantly, spend time with God. Cause after all, that is a relationship as well.  So through this time I have been challenged to see the world as if I was looking at it through God's eyes. While I have stumbled for sure, my perspective has changed a great deal.  I read news articles like the ones from this morning a little differently.  While I truly believe our country is heading in the wrong direction and needs to turn its eyes back to God, my focus changes from the poor economy to salvation.  I believe if we would begin to live a life serving God and others we encounter in our everyday life, the issues we struggle with would take care of themselves.  You see, if we made financial decisions based on biblical principles then I know our economy would be better. If we shared Jesus with as many people as possible, how quickly would our society be impacted for our savior Jesus Christ?  If we served others and put others first how quickly would so many of our countries problems take care of themselves?

I by no means have this all figured out. I stumble as much, if not more, as the next person. But if we truly surrendered all we have to God, I believe we would see revival on a much larger and all encompassing scale than we could even imagine.  The coolest part about the entire thing is that God loves us so much He sent his Son for us!  He is in control and wants everyone to know this amazing fact.  So as go through our day today, what are we doing to share that love with those we come in contact with?

Good friends Micah and Kara Mills

As many of you, good friends of ours Micah and Kara Mills have been serving the Lord in Uganda for over a year. We learned earlier this year that they were pregnant and had decided to return to the states for the birth of their second child.  Since that point and time the Lord has been working in their hearts and last week they announced they will not be returning to Africa in November as previously expected. This was an incredibly tough decision for them but they feel the Lord leading them home for an as yet determined amount of time.  In a recent blog entry they explained this decision. Click here to read about their decision.

Please continue to lift them up in your prayers. This is a very bitter sweet transition for them.  Pray especially for the Lord's will for their lives to be revealed to them.

In His Service,

Gary