In Christ Alone

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Fathers

Tonight it snowed. Yep, that means the roads were slippery, and I had to go to a CAP meeting. So, my Dad drove me! I was thinking about the slippery road we were on, especially as we passed several cars in the ditch. As we drove I was watching my father's driving skills. When we got onto the entrance ramp, he made the turn at a careful speed, then excellerated slowly until he got up to a safe speed. I also observed that he kept his hand on the shifting stick, in case he needed to slow down, because, as he told me later, if you hit your breaks on snow, you are likely to slide and lose control. I pondered on these things the whole way there and the whole way back. Then as I thought about these things when I got home, something hit me. God gave us fathers for a reason. It's our duty to respect and honor them, but it is also our duty to learn their wisdom.

Praise God for the awesome father he gave me! Willing to teach me all he knows, and loving enough to show me safer ways of doing things! I love my father. Do you love your's? Does he know you do?

The Civil Air Patrol

Cadet Airman Cutler reporting for duty! *salute*

Yep! I'm in the Civil Air Patrol. It's been tons of fun, in the 4 months I've been in. My rank is Cadet Airman 1st Class.

This is us doing "Flight-line"

We've had a good few months, by God's grace. We've had some trouble, we've had some fun, but the majority of it has been quality time working for the community.

One thing that I'm VERY grateful for, is that God has helped through all my tests so far, allowing me to pass all of them! THANK YOU LORD!!!! 

Semper Vigilans,

-Brady

The Sunday Sermon

"Daddy?", Malisa asked.

"Yes Pumkin?" was the reply.

"Does God really care about me?"

Now I know what you are thinking. 'Why in the world would someone ask a question like that?'. But if you look around, most do wonder the same. 

As our story unfolds, we must use our imaginations to see a beautiful little girl of about 9 years old, strolling the gardens of flowers, belonging to the village, with her loving father. The two often walked these paths of joy. They would spend many an hour together each day, talking of things Above, or just chatting to each other of their love for each other and the world God placed them in.

"Why, of course He does, Dearest!" the father replied.

"And is He the strongest in the world?" was the child's next question in line.

"Yes, Dear."

"And does He mean to kill that bad spirit, the devil?"

"Well, He tells us in His word that He has prepared the lake of fire for the devil and his angels" the well versed father answered.

"Well, if He does care about me, and if He is the strongest, and if He is going to throw the devil in the lake of fire, why does He let me get hurt? Why do I still sin? Why doesn't He get rid of the devil right now and save us from all this trouble and pain?" the little girl asked.

Here we must stop, and consider, what is this little girl asking? Is she innocently thinking about God and His love for His people? Yes, she is wondering of God's saving grace, and what's keeping Him from using that power to save his people from torment on this earth. Does God truly love us? Yes. Why is He letting us get in car crashes, killed in war, have pain and trouble in this world? Keep these questions in mind as we continue our story.

The father pondered for a minute, "Very good question, especially for a 9 year old" then out loud, "Well dear, tomorrow's sermon is going to be on that very subject. Shall we wait for an explanation from Pastor tomorrow?"

"Yes! I love Pastor Evans. He's so kind and does tricks for me and I love his sermons because they're based on the truth of God's word alone." she said with a smile of joy that would melt any father's heart.

"Very well, then we shall see what he says about it tomorrow. But right now, we must head home for darkness is almost upon us" and Mr. Frank led his little girl back home.

As the darkness crept over the village, the light from one tiny cottage brushed the trees overhead until, slowly, the candlelight burnt low and Mr. Frank blew it out after he tucked in his little girl.

.....What will the sermon be like? Find out next Sunday night, right here!......