Never the Helpless Victim

I can't believe I'm getting this old! My mind feels like 38, but the body qualifies for retirement next year! Why is it that time seems to go by more quickly the older one gets? I was reminded of this phenomenon in reading my good friend Don Johnson's Jibstay reflection on his son's 28th birthday and his thinking it was only yesterday he was 28. It's about attitude - you choose how to respond to life's circumstances, which interestingly enough is one of those attributes of being created in God's image. He has omnipotent will - and has given us a measure of individual will as a dim reflection of his awesome power to choose. What a gift. We never are the helpless victim as life can take from us everything we have - except our ability to choose how to respond.

Anxiety - It Can Kill You

While sipping coffee Sunday morning, a cancer update on the news program caught my ear - a 50% chance of reducing a recurrence of cancer in women if they learn how to more effectively deal with anxiety. Fifty percent! I have often thought there is a connection between how we handle stress and our physical well-being. I remember years ago, when going through a stressful period in my life, asking God for an inner sense of peace and joy. A scripture came to mind then that may prove helpful in the midst of today's economic turmoil, for it teaches an important lesson. Galations 5:22 says: But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I had been praying for peace and joy, when instead I should have been seeking the kind of spirit-filled experience that produces that kind of fruit. Being reminded that God remains in control, even in the midst of turmoil, is a reassuring thought.

Covenant Stringers

In the newspaper business, we often called them stringers - or correspondents. These are the folks who often provide the news tips and detail that make good - and timely - news stories possible. Thanks to two Covenant "stringers" - Rick Lindholtz and Curt Peterson - we had fast information on the fire threat to Montecito Covenant Church early this morning (November 14) from the raging Santa Barbara fire. If anyone wants to join the rank of stringers, it's easy - just email us at newsdesk@covchurch.org. Attach photos if you have them. To read this morning's story, visit Montecito Fire.