Opinion

Pastor Marty ReynhoutEcho Alliance Church Recently, my wife and I visited family to see their new home. It is a nice townhome with three bedrooms,… Login to continue reading Login…

I have been thinking a lot – lately – about time. Time that has passed, present time and yes, even future time. Strangely enough, I have not been bogged down with what did or did not happen in the past; but, more so, what will happen today and tomorrow. Why? I had to actually process this with my daughter. Her first response was, “God has jokes because He has been directing me all day for one thing or another and has been using my gifts.” So, okay good while you are rolling in gift mode why am I focusing so much on time? Her answer…

I really wish I was better at doing daily devotionals. Like most things in my life that I know are good for me, I often put them off until “later” thinking there is a whole day to accomplish them. However, I have found that unless I do certain things right away, like working out or reading my Bible, it most likely will not happen at all.

In this final Cardinal Corner of the school year, we’re spotlighting two key funds: Food Service and Debt Service. Each does exactly what its name suggests. The Food Service Fund covers the district’s meal programs, while the Debt Service Fund handles payments for general obligation bond debt.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen. How many times have we heard the phrase “Let go and let God?” In my other career these many years, as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor, I hear this phrase often. In the fellowship of AA this phrase is literally commonplace. Sometimes we say it to others, and it is sometimes said to us in a multitude of situations and circumstances. But what does it mean or how do we understand it. Whether it is said to us or we say it to others, this phrase means acknowledging God as the director of our paths in life and attempting to “let go” of any doubts and truly submitting our lives to the care of God and God alone. Often, I think of the verse: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) This verse certainly seems to emphasize our confidence in God through the trials and tribulations in the pathos of life. Having said this, I think we should often address the fact that we alone can sometimes be the worst enemy as to who is attempting to be against us, that is ourselves. Knowing and believing God is for us, is truly realizing that GOD IS FOR US. It means submitting ourselves to God rather than continuing to have doubts, remaining stubborn, or even more troublesome our sense of entitlements. We human beings struggle with well, being human! We just don’t like to let go of perceived control in our lives or come to terms with the realization that we cannot do anything but let go! I am reminded of the words from Psalms 118:8 which states that “it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.” How often do we think we know better than most, and sadly even better than God. Believing in God means believing in God! A weakened faith is vague and leads to doubts about everything. “But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) Letting go and letting God is far simpler than we would like to believe. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)