Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Pray for Michigan! N O W !!!

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:1-4:  I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone —  2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

There has never been a better time to pray for those in Michigan who are in authority.  You don’t even have to live in Michigan to know that we are going through some very tough economic times.  I was recently in St. Louis and while boarding a plane the individual in front of me asked where I lived.  When I said, “Michigan,” they responded with, “Oh, I’m sorry.”  The person in back of me, hearing that brief “conversation,” commented that they were just returning from seeing their husband in Florida where he had to move from Michigan to find a job.  She was still “holding down the fort” at their home in mid-Michigan in his absence.

There’s a Detroit Free Press story that’s pretty good at explaining how the state’s economy has really depleted the state’s treasury.  It’s worth the read … http://freep.com/article/20090927/NEWS06/909270426/1322/Next-2-years-could-beeven-worse-for-Michigan-budget

9.11 ... A Day of Terror ... and HOPE

It’s hardly seems possible that September 11, 2001 – 9.11 – was just eight years ago.  That was a day that rocked our world and tumbled our lives upside down.  A friend just emailed me and reminded me that on that day I had gone around to all the classrooms at Our Savior to announce what had happened / what was happening, to talk with the teachers and children, and to pray.  That day will never be forgotten.  Reflecting on that day my friend wrote in his email:  “Those incidents created incredible uncertainty that I don't think has gone away, but just been reshaped.”

The events of 9.11, indelibly emblazoned on our minds, certainly created a storm of discouragement and doubt in our country.  Our immediate safety, long-term security, and contentment as citizens in this country were mightily challenged and called into question.  I would agree with my friend.  I don’t think those feelings of 9.11.01 have gone away.  They’ve just been reshaped.

Where can we turn to gain any certainty in life?  Where can we go in any storm or adverse circumstance of life to find true peace, strength to cope, and lasting hope?  Or is that no longer a possibility? 

We must turn to the Word of God.