For every ailment under the sun, there is a remedy, or there is none; if there be one, try to find it; if there be none, never mind it. Mother Goose

Isn't it fascinating how many things we worry about that we cannot change? We are sometimes like Piglet of Winnie the Pooh fame whose greatest fear was that his greatest fear would someday come true. What a waste!

The fact is that there are just some things that are out of our control. That's okay because understanding this truth is one of the first steps in learning to trust in God. David was not worried about Goliath, even though from a physical standpoint, a fight with him was one he could not win. Goliath was bigger, he was more experienced, and he had no visible weaknesses. However, this did not stop David - he just gathered five stones and trusted God to handle the rest. And he won the unwinnable fight.

That is exactly how we need to approach the things that are too big for us. We should simply prepare as best we can and then trust God to correctly handle the rest. If we are living the way that God requires, He will handle the things that are out of our control. This may seem a simple concept, but it is one of the most freeing truths in our lives: God only expects us to handle the things that are possible. Anything else that He wants done, He will do.

So, what ailments under the sun have you been fretting over? Is it your health? Our government? The national economy? The general state of the world? Then relax - all you have to do is gather your five stones and be prepared to use them when the situation calls for it. Anything else that God wants handled will be perfectly handled by Him. So, trust Him!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:25-26, NIV

So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Matthew 6:30-33, NIV

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. Paul Boese

One of the hardest things that man can do is to forgive others for the hurtful things that they have done in the past. Even more difficult for many, surprisingly, is the ability to forgive one's self. There are a lot of reasons for this seeming phenomenon, but I believe one of the biggest reasons is that we have a higher opinion of ourselves than we do of others.

We think things like, "I wish John hadn't done that to me, but that's just John", or, "I can't believe that Mary did that awful thing, but what else can you expect from Mary?" But, when it comes to us, we are often stunned at our own shortcomings. We all have many things that we have done in the past that we are not particularly proud of, but then there are those really terrible sins that we still bring to mind because we just cannot let them go. Often times we cannot believe that we have done such horrible things because "we are we" and we are just not that kind of people. So we end up asking God to forgive a sin that we have already sought forgiveness for on many, many occasions. It's like continuing to make payments on your home after the mortgage has already been paid in full: Rational people just don't do such things. But even though we know this, we just can't help asking forgiveness for that "really big sin" every time it comes to mind.

So, when we have committed some terrible sin (and some sin does have greater earthly consequences than others) we just refuse to let it go. Sometimes we will be having a great day and then, out of nowhere, the memory of this awful thing comes back to haunt us. And... we cheat ourselves out of the quality of life that God desires for each of His beloved children because we simply fail to forgive ourselves.

If this is you, then ask yourself these questions: 1)"Am I a Christian?" If so, then your sins were washed away by the same baptism that made you a Christian. 2) "Have I repented of my sins and asked God and the people I hurt for forgiveness?" If so, your sins were forgiven! So - let it go! I know that this seems too simple, but this is exactly what the Bible teaches.

The peace that passes all understanding is available to all of God's children - even those who unfaithfully went astray but later came back on God's terms. It is true that some sins have continuing consequences while we are on this earth (Like getting drunk and having an accident that leaves you paralyzed) but the eternal consequences are removed the moment God forgives you. So again, if you have sought forgiveness for even the most vile of sins and you have done it on God's terms, then you are forgiven. So release yourself from your self imposed prison of guilt and forgive yourself as well. Then, and only then, will you begin to live the life that God has called you to. It will not change the past, but it will most certainly enhance your future!

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. I Timothy 1:15-16, NIV

Bounteous living revolves around a great center. 

Leroy Brownlow

The famous explorer Admiral Byrd tells of an event that happened during his first expedition to the South Pole. He said he was out for a brief exploration one day when a sudden blizzard began. While he was only a short distance from his hut, he became hopelessly lost due to the blinding fury of the storm. He always carried a long pole with him to test for the depth of the snow, so he tied a scarf to the top of that pole and embedded it firmly in the ice. He later described the importance of that pole and scarf:

"That was my center. If I failed to find my hut, I could return to my center and try again. Three times I tried and failed; but each time I returned to my center, without which I would have been lost and would have died. In the fourth attempt, I stumbled upon my hut."

There is a lesson, in Admiral Byrd's account, for those who care to learn it. We all struggle through the various storms of life and we all need a center. In my capacity as a preacher, I have had the privilege of performing a number marriage ceremonies. Prior to the big day, I always sit down with the couple and go over several areas that are important to any marriage.

While each session will differ a bit depending on the unique circumstances of the couple, one piece of advice has never changed: Always put God and Christ at the center of your marriage. The logic behind this advice is the same as Admiral Byrd's - without a center, you will soon find yourself hopelessly lost.

The fact is that their will be many storms as we travel through life. If God and Christ are at the center of our existence we will always have that standard by which we can keep our bearings. But, take your eyes off of Your Center for even a moment, and be prepared to be exposed to the fury of life's sudden storms.

Do you have your eyes on your Center? It's the only way you can find your way home.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:4, NIV

Rejoicing comes in the morning. King David

I used to dread the morning. I used to dread the sound of the alarm... the work that needed to be done... the problems that would surely arise.

Then I started praying before I even stepped a foot out of bed. I started thanking God for the blessings in my life, as well as the blessings of the new day. Then, before I ate a single bite of food to nourish my body, I learned the habit of nourishing my soul with the Word of God.

And now? I have joy in the morning! And I know that I will continue to have joy in the morning, every morning, as long as I begin each day with my Lord. I don't deserve this joy, mind you, but I have it all the same. It is a gift from the Master!

Do you have joy in the morning?

Rejoice in the Lord, and be glad... Psalms 32:11, NIV