In good hands

Two things first:
Here's the description for our next "story" time on Wednesdays. The DVD is called Open: Many of us have experienced situations where we've prayed and it felt like God wasn't listening. And yet other times we've prayed or known someone that prayed and the situation changed. Does God answer prayer? Sometimes, but not all the time? Or does God always answer prayer it's just that sometimes God says no? some of us are angry with God for not answering the prayers we've prayed for years. Why did he answer their prayer but not ours? What if there's more to prayer than just God listening and answering? Maybe if we understood how Jesus prayed, our concepts and expectations of prayer would change.

Secondly, this was in the intro to Proverbs in The Message: Wisdom has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes toward others that make for peace.

Talk about full circle. I hit Proverbs 1:7 and took pause, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." In The Message it says, "The first step in learning is bowing down to God." I like that. I should. It's my Confirmation verse from 9th grade. Unfortunately, I picked it and then didn't listen to what it said. I had no fear of the Lord for the next 6 years. "What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes? You'll need me then." Halfway through college, I needed God desperately and he was there.

We will finish reading this 3rd book of the Bible on Easter Saturday. How appropriate! I have challenged the parents of our 8 Confirmation students to read along with their children this month and post once each week.

Will we be open to God moving in our lives and giving us the wisdom he desires for the next 31 days? I hope so. In our last verse today, God says, "First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you're in good hands." Indeed.

Please pray for the 19 of us going to Calumet this weekend for the youth gathering. Our Lenten small groups start at the Carlsons' on Saturday night. Please come. Dyan Bauman has offered to watch any kids of young families at the church. Jack Mayo has a key to the church. They're in the directory. Kelly Hansen will be preaching this Sunday. You're in good hands.