Rise Up Church With Broken Wings

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We have been blessed with some beautiful weather here on the gulf coast these past few days. We've had overcast mornings with light rains which have been followed by beautiful warm sunshine and breezes in the afternoons. As much as I enjoy talking about the weather this blog isn't about the weather but I do want to share something with you from scripture that talks about the weather.

Luke 8:22-25

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. ²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Okay so the weather is not the main focus of this passage of scripture but, as he does with all things, God uses this weather, specifically a storm, to show his power and majesty. I read this passage and sometimes I like to saddle up and ride my spiritual high horse. I like to think that these disciples are so flawed because they know what Jesus is capable of and yet they still doubted his ability to control the storm and keep them safe. Then I realize that I am just not all that different than the disciples.

Some of you may know that a little over a month ago we found out that Emma has a very treatable heart condition known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus. I'm not going to take the time to explain what all is involved with this (If you want to know more you can check out the link) other than to say that 90% of the time it takes care of itself and the other 10% a very simple surgical procedure can handle it. What I will take the time to tell you is that when I found out that there was something wrong with my little girl I acted a whole lot like the disciples did in the storm.

I share all of this with you not to elicit an emotional response or anything of that nature. I share this with all of you to help us all realize that we need to allow God to be the one in control of the storms in our lives and that only God has the means to see us through the storms of life. On Sunday night I shared these thoughts at a joint devotional between our teens and the teens of the Westside Church of Christ Youth Group in Alvin Texas. In the course of that devotional we sang the song "Shout To The North". The last verse of that song is my vision of what can happen if we as Christians allow God to handle the storms in our lives. I am going to leave you today with the words of this song. Don't get lost in the storm, look to God to carry you home.

Be Strong and Courageous,

Paul

Rise up church with broken wings

Fill this place with songs again

Of our God who reigns on high

By His grace again we'll fly

Can I help You?

Good Morning Everyone,

"Can I help You?" Think about how many times a day this phrase is uttered. Whether you go to a restaurant, gas station or even the post office you hear this phrase several times a day. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I really told people what they could do to help me. Sometimes I feel like saying, "my yard needs cutting could you help me out with that", just to see what kind of a reaction I would get.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting lately about why I am here on this earth. Most of you know that about five months ago I became a parent for the very first time. I absolutely love being a Dad! I love playing with my little girl, I love watching her sleep and I love the fact she is discovering the world around her more and more everyday. Becoming a parent my mindset is constantly, "Can I Help You?", because my little girl can't do anything for herself and I guess that is what has brought me to where I am today and has prompted me to ask a question.

My question is this. If someone could do something nice for you what would that thing be? I ask this question because I think we have become so calloused by the world that we are afraid to even talk about what we can do for each other. In my own way I want to help change this mindset in the world. I am truly interested in the hopes and dreams of my friends and family but I don't know what all of these hopes and dreams are yet.

So today I am encouraging you to share what that nice thing is that someone can do for you. Leave me a comment or drop me an e-mail (pmcartwright82@gmail.com) and let me know what it is you would like for someone to do for you. I can't promise I can fulfill these desires but I would still like to hear what you are thinking about. My goal from this blog post is for people to seek out the needs of their friends and family and in some way try to help fulfill those dreams. Maybe it's a pipe dream ,but that's the good thing about a blog, you can put whatever you want to out there. Let's get some conversation started! I hope you are as blessed by me today as much as all of you bless me.

Be Strong and Courageous,

Paul