in view of the present distress...

Suzy & I are back from a much needed vacation and ready to get back to life as normal. Is there a life as normal? I spent our vacation sneaking peeks at news channels as they did play by play of the downward spiraling stock market, collapsing real estate market, shaky global economy, and political uncertainty. Where is God in all of this???

Several stories immediately come to mind. Do you remember how God positioned Joseph in Egypt so he could be a instrument of salvation when famine came to his brothers? Do you remember how Jesus sat down with His disciples and warned them of the coming destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. He advised them to flee into the mountains and other specific instructions that would offer some safely thru the crisis. We serve a God of strategy who is able to direct our lives thru difficult times. I often harp on how the Church needs to recapture the gift of "hearing". Now, more than ever, we need to be able to discern His directives for our lives and the lives of those we influence.

He IS speaking on daily issues of life. He IS offering the believer directives on how to position their lives for events that lie ahead. We MUST listen to Him. I am not a "alarmist" who lives in fear of the "boogey man". But I know, from experience, that God has been preparing me for the last 4 years for certain lifestyle changes. He gave me certain specific "assignments" in preparation for coming change.. Those assignments are real to me and me alone. What has He told you to do?

Our upcoming Simple Church Men's Retreat is scheduled for Oct. 24-26 here in West Tennessee. I have a sense that God may well have us compare notes on this issue when we come together. If you plan on attending the retreat, be prepared to share with the group any instructions you are receiving from God in light of the current distress. BTW, anyone is welcome to attend the retreat. Response has been light, so a small crowd is expected. If you want more information, simply reply to this post with your email and I will give you the details.

for now..

mickey mooney