JUNE – JULY 2015
No. 8
FOOD FOR SOUL
M A G A Z I N E
How to Escape a Hostage Situation Pg. 5-7
A Defining Moment Pg. 11
Living Life by the Slice Pg. 14
Fingerprints of God Pg. 20
Gravity Pg. 24-26
One woman's account of her spiritual journey home after being kidnapped at age five, abandoned, given away, and then raised by strangers.
Food For Soul Is a menu of inspirational articles, and information to encourage a deliberate lifestyle physically, emotionally, but most important spiritually. Food For Soul serves up recipes for the kitchen, as well as for life! The contributing writers come from all different backgrounds, professions, and experiences that contribute much inspiration! The magazine is a ministry tool to raise funds both globally and locally for causes such as, WATER FOR LIFE, STAR OF HOPE MISSIONS, FAMILIES FEEDING FAMILIES, and many more. We sponsor advertising for these organizations to encourage giving, and inspire communities to get involved as we spread the message of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to one day open up a crisis center that provides training, and resources for families of domestic abuse, and or special needs. We pray that you will join us on this mission to mend and help enable a community broken to become bold and bring out the beauty from ashes by sponsoring an ad in this magazine. Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) ‌to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
You can sponsor by visiting our website
www.foodforsoulmagazine.com P.O. BOX 304 TOMBALL, TX 77377
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A Word from the Editor Greetings and a warm welcome to our 8th issue of Food for Soul Magazine! We couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to bring to our reading audience pages of aweinspiring articles, information, and recipes for the soul and the kitchen. Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. You will notice each page is filled with material to enhance, encourage, and provide practical ways to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. You can look at one category at a time, or examine the articles page by page to choose which to read first. Just as with any paper magazine, you can choose to sit and read the whole thing at once, or come back to this issue several times to digest the articles more leisurely. We established this on-line magazine to promote a strong deliberate life-style of giving and a heart to serve. What you will find in the pages of Food for Soul Magazine, is a collection of inspiring, educational articles written by actual, honest, downto-earth folks who work hard to live deliberately, but who are not afraid to admit the struggles that we often sometimes experience. We are honored to share the work of committed people who live their lives with a purpose and a plan to promote a work that will help many lives. Feel free to leave comments and share your thoughts or ask the authors a question. We appreciate your support and are so pleased to have you as a reader of Food for Soul Magazine. With warmest thanks,
Brenda Graff
Brenda A. Graff FOUNDER Food For Soul Magazine
Being a former news reporter sparked a great desire in me to continue writing and researching, but with a purpose to help others. Being a wife, and mom of six has had its challenges, but it has taught me much along the journey and to utilize the experience to ignite a passion for positive change in our communities. Much time is spent on projects, and ministry. At other times you will find me in the kitchen creating new dishes. Currently, I am a busy homeschooler, Grandmother of two, and when I’m not wrapped up with family or community…spend many hours working on my God-given passion, which is pen to paper with a purpose!
Seeking contributing writers Send comments, recipes, photos, articles, or poems to: INSPIREME@FOODFORSOULMAGAZINE.COM FOOD FOR SOUL MAGAZINE - P.O.BOX 304 TOMBALL, TEXAS 77377
www.foodforsoulmagazine.com 3
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“How to Escape a Hostage Situation” By Brooke Lynn It’s time to break free and start living! Reading this may set you onto a new path of freedom in your walk with God. You may regain hope and a newfound trust in Him. Being a hostage is suffocating spiritually, physically and emotionally. I’ve been a hostage, held against my will, and bound to the actions, and words of others. I was confined, and defined; pushed down, hurt, and held back from achievements, and growth because of captivity. I developed a defensive attitude, and built walls to guard, and protect myself from further harm, and pain. Living under the control, and manipulation of people produced insecurity, anxiety, fear, and misunderstanding from some who saw my reactions to life as extreme. I was living in what’s called, “survival mode”. I finally came to a breaking point, realizing it’s impossible to live in the freedom Christ died for me to have, while remaining a hostage. Because of constant trauma and tragedy in my life since child-hood, I was unable to trust anyone. I was even fearful to give my life completely to God. I didn’t fully trust him to take care of me and love me like his word says. I believed he would harm me or send bad things my way to teach me a lesson; (because that’s what he does to his children to painfully grow them.) Until one day, God gently whispered to my heart; “It wasn’t me who hurt you; the people hurt you.” God’s word says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
This helped relieve some of my fears and I began opening my heart more to God. I learned I CAN look forward to my future because its brand new, untarnished, never before experienced or explored. God is already there clearing a path, making a way and taking care of me. Just because my past was painful, doesn’t mean my future holds the same. I decided to place my hope in God and trust him, knowing my future is in his hands. There are two tools needed to escape a hostage situation; they are forgiveness and surrender. Forgiveness is tough. We hear about it a lot, we know the benefits; we know as Christians we are called to forgive. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) We know we are forgiven by God for all our sins. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.” (Colossians 2:13) But we also need to know how to forgive someone when we still have horrible feelings and thoughts about them; when we still hurt; when the injuries are new; when we just don’t know how. Here’s the key to forgiveness; CHOICE. Forgiveness is a choice and not a feeling. We choose to forgive. We make up our minds to obey God and forgive others as 5 He’s forgiven us.
We choose freedom instead of bondage, bitterness, negativity, and allowing pain, and people to control us. We pray, and surrender the person to God, and leave them with the only real Judge who knows all motives, intentions and secrets of the heart. Envision walking up to the cross of Christ, holding the hand of that person whom you need to forgive. Now let go of their hand and leave them at the feet of Jesus. You have just released and surrendered them. Do this as often as needed praying for them and yourself. You are now closer to living in complete freedom! “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10) Total surrender doesn’t come easy or without cost; but we will gain more than we can ever think or imagine. It allows God to work in, and through us accomplishing his plans which are perfect. It requires trusting him in, and through all things no matter what our circumstances look like, and understanding he is God, and sees the bigger picture. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8) When we understand God's love, we can live in peace, and contentment which is by far the most compelling motivator of everything we do. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Surrendering to God requires putting our faith in him. "For we live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7) And trusting he will work all things out for our good. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) You need to know: No matter what’s going on in your life, God has a plan. No matter what circumstances situations you face, God is with you.
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You can live; laugh and love in freedom knowing you have been saved by amazing grace. You can walk in the hope of your calling that Christ died for you to have. You can pray and know God hears, and answers you. You can be filled with God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. You are a woman or man of faith, and the power of God is within you. Shake off the worries, and cares of this world, and hold onto God. Forgive others & yourself; surrender your lives wholly to Jesus and walk in your new found Freedom!
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Brooke Lynn is a writer and a speaker who passionately lives — reaching others with God’s word and love. She is a survivor of abuse, sharing her past pain and recovery to encourage others with hope. Brooke resides in the Washington D.C. area, and has been married for nineteen years, has two children, and loves dogs.
“Raised by Strangers” is available at: Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com Please visit my website at: www.BrookeLynnBooks.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrookeLynnAuthor1 Twitter: twitter.com/BrookeLynnBooks Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/BrookLynnWriter/
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Kevin Adams is a fresh voice among today’s best Christian writers. What he’s not, however, is a pastor, theologian or pulpit preacher; he doesn’t have a church, a fan club, or a flock. He’s just a regular guy with a powerful story, and a God given gift for sharing it that will challenge the faith of even the most seasoned, veteran believers. His transparency and intentional, elevated writing style has earned him a trusted reputation across the online Christian community. His work escorts readers through his own challenging experiences of loss, betrayal and impossible odds, to just beyond the comfort level of most Christians–the place where absolute faith is required. Kevin takes a genuine approach to modern Christianity that would rather tear away empty pockets than fill them with empty promises. Yet, his story is filled with indisputable proof of our Heavenly Father’s better-than-we-can-imagine desire for each of us, and the delight He takes in our learning to rest in His arms like happy children. Kevin is the author of The Extravagant Fool: A Faith Journey That Begins Where Common Sense Ends, Released May of 2014, and founding partner in a new discipleship ministry being developed around the book. He is also the founder of the Wake up My Faith blog, which has garnered a social media following of over 100,000, reflecting varied backgrounds and locales. Kevin’s life verse is Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you”. (NKJV) And his philosophy on life can be summed up in a single thought: “Only when God becomes all that we want do we truly see that He is all we need.” –Kevin Adams 2014 Kevin is husband to Holly, his beautiful partner in faith, father to three wonderful children, and a compelling new author for Zondervan. Website: http://www.extravagantfool.com Blog: https://wakeupmyfaith.wordpress.com/ Twitter: @wakeupmyfaith
Extravagant Fool Book Trailer
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A Defining Moment –Brenda McAninch
December 14, 1998, is etched in my mind. It was a Thursday, and I had raced home from my part time job as a tutor, with little time to eat and drive back. I had packages to wrap and mail, and I could feel the time crunch folding in on me. I was used to deadlines. That’s the way I lived my life—deadlines and relying on last minute thoughts to carry me through a stressful day…but, this day marked a slowing down— five years of slowing to a halt, then another eight of God’s grace rebuilding a shattered life, and a shattered leg. I had fallen that day from a seven foot stairwell to my attic unfolding up to a hiding place for the Christmas wrap. In my worry that I wouldn’t get back to work, I climbed each step with a sense of urgency that ended with my landing on my left ankle with the full force of plunging seven feet in midair with nothing to hold to break the fall. Even the initial surgery left me in a pain I had never experienced. The four hours between the pills seemed fraught with endless throbbing. But, these few nights were only the beginning of complication after complication, where a staph infection gripped my bone which demanded debriding and another purposeful breaking of the bone to straighten the bow of the leg once again. However, the pain of 17 surgery recoveries, the mainline being installed, the bone aspiration, and the final removal of an external fixator which had the regrowth of the bone after eight months was only a faint memory when my marriage of 37 years shattered as much as the ankle had shattered. It was as I walked from the court house that I knew that what I had done was never to be repaired to the intactness it had ever been. It was like a plate that had fallen on a concrete floor, just as the pieces being glued together never presented again a whole plate, neither would my marriage display an appearance of oneness again. I came home that day with crying for the mercy of God and the healing of a broken spirit.
My coming together came not only with prayer but with talking with my friends, seeking out solace from churches, and going to therapists. One day, I was listening to a TV spiritual show, and the pastor said, “If you don’t want to have regrets later, you must go into action today.” Wow! Those words resonated with me. I turned my prayer to God to help me regain the energy I needed to travel on in this life. I had to fight continuous thoughts of regret, of feelings that I had solely caused the rifts, but slowly God brought friends back to me and Bible treasures to my heart that sank in my mind, reassuring me that all would work together for good because I loved God. I never blamed God for my troubles and my emotional storms, but I asked, “Why?” much of the time. It was not until I realized that Jesus had forgiven my past that I could take the action needed for restoration. I had lived a much protected life which when it became shattered, demanding a strong spirit to emerge which had been given by God. I found that not all of the whys would be answered right away, but God had a purpose in allowing all that I went through.
Is a retired elementary school teacher, former children's minister, Mother of 2 daughters, Grandmother of 3, and Author of As the Ice Thaws.
As the Ice Thaws, presents hope for those with bipolar illness and for those who live with them. Brenda McAninch started her career teaching elementary grades. She worked with all levels of students, but her proudest achievement was starting and directing an afterschool program. While working with college students, she began to see the path of some as similar to hers. She has taken a risk in revealing her struggles with bipolar illness and shows how her personal God stepped in for her in specific ways. 11
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God said, “You don’t have to worry about love, as long as I’m existing, you will always be loved”. – Abba Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. DO SOMETHING!
Save a Life by Donating EVERY DOLLAR MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
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is an all-volunteer group of pet rescuers! Every penny goes to either food, medical expenses or equipment!
It's easy and secure to give at our website! You can even tell us how to use your money. Sponsor a dog or cat, 100 feet of fencing, medical care, or donate to the Angel Memorial Parvo Puppy Fund, food fund, bedding, and equipment, etc. Become a regular monthly giver and help us to take care of these precious gifts from God. CLICK HERE TO DONATE OR MAIL TO: 4PAWSFARM P.O. BOX 759 HEMPSTEAD, TX 77445
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.4PAWSFARM.ORG
I have
loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. -Jeremiah 31:3 13
Living Life by the Slice… A Recipe for Living -Brenda A. Graff Photo taken by Brenda Graff
Have you ever felt like there isn’t enough time in a day to do all you planned? The To-Do list become the Don’t-Ever-Get-Done, because we add more to the list as we roll over the undone from the day before. We pile on more than we can handle because we are geared in a society of get-er-done before the morning sun or else. However, recently as I was going through some series of medical test that left me to question my own mortality. It dawned on me once again we are nothing more than a vapor here one second and gone the next. My mind was haunted with all the thoughts. What had I not taught my kids yet, or who do I need to forgive, or better yet who needs to hear my forgiveness. Almost panicstricken started preparing information for my husband to handle affairs and manage our household. I basically handle everything with his hectic job, so he hadn’t a clue as to what is what. I started noticing the sky more, the details of clouds, the sound of my children’s voices, and the echoes of frogs in the eve, the sound of the wind. My view of what I was experiencing in a day of life suddenly became accosted to counting the very breaths and heartbeats God was allowing me to have. I thought to myself on my strictness in diet, play, and just enjoying simple things in life. I spent much of my days running here and there busy as a bee, laundry loads, dishes, floors needing swept, business, chores, stores, and more…go, go, go. Realizing the realty of how much time I had wasted on issues that were not going to mean squat from a grave, jolted me. Suddenly, I craved pie, and coffee with lots of creamer. Caloric YES, but so what! Was my waist size going to matter under dirt? The picture in this article of the pie and coffee, was a slice I had more than 2 years ago.
I took myself out to lunch on my birthday. No one was around to celebrate it, so I made a point to go and enjoy my day, even if it were alone. I haven’t touched pie since, trying to eat healthy. That’s crazy! Sometimes you just have to break the rules and have a slice. A slice of pie, a piece of laughter, a cake load of relationship, love, understanding, patience, kindness, peace, and forgiveness. A platter of sunrises, oceans, rivers, streams, resting under a shady tree, a purring kitten, a tail-wagging dog (forget about the shedding), the kookiness of a child latched on to you, and rest…resting in the Savior who takes on our heavy burdens. (Matthew 11:28-30, Psalms 127:2, Philippians 4:6-7)
We don’t have to race around out of breath to finish it all. Sometimes you have to just step over the pile of laundry. Don’t make your bed some mornings. Buy disposable dishes if it will free up some of your time. Most importantly, decide what of the to-do list is priority.
#1 Begin each day with asking for God’s will to be done. Take time in prayer to seek His wisdom in how you spend your time. Is not finishing a load of laundry going to cause sudden death in the household? Well, I guess if it is reeking throughout the house you might lose a few but if it isn’t urgent, LET IT GO or delegate someone else to do it.
#2 Name 10 things you are thankful for. Gratitude in the morning can make for a glorious day! #3 Read God’s word – even if 10 minutes. It’s wisdom. #4 Write down your time-stealers and figure out what you can do away with. #5 Be realistic – if you’re tired, rest. Sometimes you have to put off for tomorrow what could have been done today. It’s not worth the stress of exhaustion. #6 Live life by the slice, don’t bite off more than you can 14 chew.
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Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Rebuilding to Resilience Victims in Disaster situations require immediate relief aid, transitional recovery assistance and long-term resilience. CitiIMPACT believes that local churches are uniquely positioned to lead the way. Forging partnerships with local faith communities, CitiIMPACT brings organizational experience, a calming influence, and resources from its nationwide partners to make a difference in others’ lives.
Response, Recovery and Resilience "It can't happen here." "It's never happened here." "It won't happen here." These are phrases we've all heard or maybe even said... They're simply NOT true! CHAOS of disasters can be managed, when a clear plan is in place and trained individuals are ready. Since no disaster response agency can meet all of a community's needs during a disaster situation, the greatest impact results from preparation and collaborating partnerships for response.
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With multiple experiences in every phase of disaster response, CitiIMPACT will design and provide customized training with the needs of each church or organization in mind. CitiIMPACT is a catalyst of HELP & HOPE... with you.
WHAT CAN YOU, YOUR CHURCH OR LOCAL ORGANIZATION DO?
Click on website below to find out
citiimpact.org citiimpact.org
For more information on bringing this to your city email: info@citiimpact.org Or call
704.507.6579 DONATE 19
Fingerprints of God A Wonder of God I have been fortunate for the past few weeks, for I have been witness to a wonder of God! There has been a little bird that has been following her instincts of building a shelter for her upcoming event of laying eggs and leading her little ones to leaving the nest. Sometimes I think, “Oh if only life as mothers would be as simple.” But as I watched this mother from my patio each morning, I realized that her life wasn’t as easy as I had supposed. Each morning she would come to the flowerpot, and bring bits, and pieces of sticks, and hair, and grasses, and soon had them woven into her place of rest. As I was sitting for an hour with my coffee, she would land on the table close by and then zoom into the future fixture of safety. Then in the afternoon, again I would glance out of the window, and that bird was still carrying treasures to the pot. Then not wanting to disturb the nest, I just waited, and soon that little bird would have berries, and worms in her beak as she descended to her refuge. And, never stopping, she continued the ritual, until one day, I saw another smaller bird emerge. The mother’s task for the spring had been accomplished. She’s gone now from the pot, on to different things I suppose, unaware of the lessen in diligence she has taught. So it wasn’t so simple—storms came and wind like nobody’s business, but that little bird would continue her mission. Dear Lord, Thank you for your work of nature which can teach me to never give up. Amen -Brenda McAninch
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Meet the original Watermelon Man! Tommy, who is a four time stroke survivor and Marine Veteran. You get more than some luscious fruits from his picks of watermelon, cantaloupes, pineapples and other items in season. You will find yourself deep seeded in a conversation about Christ. He has a testimony to share and stories you’ll want to stick around for. Support him by visiting his current locations including Pinehurst/Magnolia/Tomball area. The watermelon is locally farm fresh and juicy! Call for details on special pricing and locations.
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We service and repair all makes and models of motorcycles, quads, side by sides and dirt bikes. Some services include: Engine repairs/rebuilds • suspension repairs/rebuilds • carb cleaning/rebuilds • oil changes • tune ups • electrical wiring and much more! If its motorcycle related, we CAN do it! We offer reasonable pricing with outstanding service! We are a 5 star business and take pride in our work. YOU are our number one priority! Located on Decker Prairie Rosehill and 249 just a few minutes from Tomball CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR REPAIRS
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Ingredients: 2 Chicken breast 1 lb. Beef Skirt steak 1 large White onion 1 Red Bell pepper 1 Green Bell pepper 1 Yellow Bell pepper 1 cup of sliced Mushrooms 2 tsp. Cumin (Comino) 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika 4 tsp. (low sodium) Soy Sauce 1/2 cup Extra Virgin olive oil 1 tsp. Black Pepper
Feeds 4-6
Directions: Prepare chicken breast and beef skirt steak and veggies by slicing into 1� x 3� strips. Set aside. In large mixing bowl add all seasonings and oil and mix well. Using 2 gallon size Zip-Lock bags for marinade, you will place all meat in one bag, and the veggies in other. Pour in mixture evenly, close tight the bags alleviating any pockets of air. Meshing bags to help spread the marinade throughout the contents. Lay flat in fridge for 1 hour. To prepare for grill, simply take ingredients and place in closed tight foil with a few air holes punched through top to allow for smoke to enter, or use a metal pan with foil cover and place on grill indirectly on fire for 30 minutes-1 hour depending on tenderness. Veggies will cook much faster. Take soft corn or flour tortillas wrapped in foil and place on grill to heat for 5-10 minutes. 23
GRAVITY By Brenda A. Graff What do you do when you find yourself being pulled under by a tidal wave? Insurmountable odds facing your every moment? How does one prepare for disaster? Do you bank up or buck up? I don’t care if you board, hoard, and store up in preparation for devastating circumstances…it can still catch you off guard. Like with the devastating floods we had recently in our area in Texas. Many families unexpectedly met head on with disaster, and watching their belongings, and some lives swept away suddenly. I remember how many times, I’ve boasted at the fact that I was prepared to go through whatever God would have me experience…after all, I totally had faith in Him, I thought. It wasn’t until in later years, I figured out what faith walking was really all about. I am reminded of a movie I watched recently called Interstellar, a 2014 epic science fiction film starring Matthew McConaughey, playing the character of (Cooper). The film features a crew of astronauts who travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. The scene: Cooper and TARS (a robot) detach their shuttles into a black hole, sacrificing themselves to collect data on the singularity, and propel (co-partners) Amelia and CASE (robot) faster by reducing the ship's mass. As the shuttle falls into the black hole, gravitational forces rip it apart, ejecting Cooper into the interior, which resembles a tesseract (a four-dimensional analog of the cube). He finds himself at first sight in fear of death unable to control the circumstance as he is witnessing and viewing into what seems to be his daughter’s room the day he was departing as she sobs on her bed more than 50 years earlier. He had remembered what a fellow astronaut had said to him regarding death. “You know you’re dying when you see your kid’s faces”. He starts frantically screaming, “No-no-no!” Was this an illusion? Is this the final moments before last breath? It was a very intense, heart wrenching scene. I watched in anticipation, this life hanging in the balance and stuck in this dark, dreadful, black hole. Would Cooper survive? How will he get out? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, Cooper survived, it was never his intention to stay in the black hole permanently, and eventually he reunited with his daughter, who was now on her death bed of old age. You see, Cooper, panicked, and became so distracted, and busy trying to solve a problem he basically had no control over, that he lost time, and years with his daughter, and son. He arrived to her virtually non-aged due to the wormhole and time difference in dimensions. Determined to get back to his family he didn’t give up. He figured out a way through the black hole. He refused to get stuck there. 24 The scene:
Referenced Bible verses in magazine used versions: KSJ, NIV, NKJV, ESV, HCSB
How often do we find ourselves drawn in by the black holes of this life? The gravity of grief, regret, and gargantuan fear pulls at us....persuading us to stop living, only to focus on the frightening circumstances or loss. We can get caught up in situations that are truly beyond our control, and begin to panic. We fail to see that God sees the full picture. We only get a glimpse. Some tend to fear the unknown, and their future without not knowing what is going to take place. It is frightening to get a phone call that is lurking with bad news. I know, I’ve been there. Once you get the information, what do you do with it? Scream, cry, and shout at someone? Kick the dog? Drown yourself in misery and self-pity? You might do all of these things…and it would be a normal human response at first, but I’m not advocating the kicking of any pet! But, we must not get stuck there! How many years are wasted in anguish, grief, unsettled anger, doubt, or FEAR? It is all based on FEAR! The gravitational pull of fear can rip us apart at the seams. It can tear families apart, cause businesses, and ministries to crumble. Fear brings out many emotions more than just anxiety. It brings with it a multi-personality mess! Insecurity rears its ugly head causing relational conflicts. Sorrowful grief that last too long leads to lasting depression, and isolation in turn causing more anxiety. It is a vicious cycle. Anger, regret, disbelief, and insomnia become your new best friends. It blocks the view of the light at the end of the tunnel. It is in those unfamiliar, unidentifiable defining moments where true faith begins to emerge. How in the world could anyone experience light, if they had not been in darkness? Healing if they had not been sick? Forgiveness if they had not been forgiven? We cannot wallow in that hole too long, otherwise, gravitational forces will rip us apart, ejecting our souls into a chronic state of confusion, doubt, and chaos. We don’t have to live that way. If we could just understand that Jesus Christ, the one who loved us, more than His own life… is with us at all times. He is there in the midnight hour when fear grips us with thoughts of “What If’s?” He sees every tear hit the ground, every sigh of disappointment, every grieving moment we experience, and He is telling us DO NOT FEAR, DO NOT WORRY, DO NOT BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING!
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. -Psalms 30:5
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Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ... Psalm 139:7-10 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
The Bible says “DO NOT FEAR” 365 times, that’s enough for one day of the year!
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Creates Disciples who Impact their Community for Eternity.
Rick is the Pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship who is also the author of two books: ME Addiction: Having it my way isn’t so great after all and X-Odus Files: Following God in an Alien World.
Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday!
29510 Tomball Parkway
Rick is the Pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship in Tomball, TX, and has served on a City Council. He spends much time writing, speaking, and coaching others. He is married and has two grown sons and one daughter-in-law.
Tomball, TX 77375 www.christbridgefellowship.com www.rickbrown1Life2Love.com
Get Directions 281.351.4445 info@christbridgefellowship.com 27
What’s Your Story? Do you have something inspiring to share? An experience that has changed your life? We would love to publish it!
Send to: inspireme@foodforsoulmagazine.com
Or mail to: FOOD FOR SOUL P.O. Box 304 Tomball, Texas 77377
We are a forgetful people. We need Storytellers. We need someone to lay the drama of God’s love before us. We need to be reminded of the uncommon grace of God. -William R. White
But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4 (HCSB) 28