Author: Michelle Brown

The green grass – leaves on the trees – flowers in bloom – warmer temperatures – reminds me that we have turned the page. Winter is now behind us. It’s springtime. We made it. Old winter is in the history books. It’s time to move on.

Of course, we know that our battle the last four or five months was more than cold temperatures, ice, and snow.

How did we make it? The answer “We didn’t give up!” We lived with the hope of a better tomorrow. Yes, it would have been easier to just throw in the towel – throw our hands in the air and say, “I surrender.” But we didn’t.

Good for you. Good for you.

In some way, we can say that we have persevered over the last several months. So, what about the future? What’s in store for us? So many unanswered questions. So many unknowns!

Does God have anything to say about all of this? He sure does! Read on pilgrim. He says, “We live by faith, not by sight,” (2 Cor. 5:16).

In other words, we are to trust God and His ability to take care of us. This doesn’t mean that we will not have more trials and troubles. It simply means that when trials and troubles come our way, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and know that He is committed to taking care of us.

To Live is Christ
Bro. Danny

What’s up? How are you doing? Killed any giants lately? Are you rolling with the punches (hail stones)? Started building your ark? Okay, that’s enough. I think I made my point.

Remember that song we sang when we were kids? “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.” If you are fifty years old or older, you probably sang it. I did. It was an ok song. You know, one of those feel-good songs.

But I’ve come to realize that that song is somewhat misleading. The lyrics say, “Life is but a dream.” Really? The song implies that one will only experience blue skies sunshine, and calm waters.

Reality says that life can be a nightmare. Floods, hailstorms, tornadoes, train wrecks and car wrecks, disease and disaster, loneliness and emptiness.

I hope your little boat (your life) is gently floating down the stream. If it is, that’s wonderful. Enjoy it. Be grateful. Don’t take it for granted. Ride it out as long as it lasts.

But there is a good chance it won’t last forever. It didn’t for Job. Remember poor Job? The Bible said he was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). Everything was going his way. His family was great. He had oxen, donkeys, sheep, and servants. It was said that Job was the greatest man among all the people in the East.

Then the bottom fell out. He lost everything – children, livestock, health.

How did Job respond to his tragedy? He said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord,” (Job 1:21).

Let me close by saying: Yes, life is full of storms. Few if any will be able to avoid them. But here’s the good news. God’s children win in the end. Don’t take my word for it, take God’s word for it!

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

I have a friend that lives not too far from Oklahoma City. We have known each other for several years. We don’t talk much anymore, but when we do, it’s as if we talk to each other every day.

In our last conversation, he shared with me about a recent road trip. On his way home, he decided to turn off his radio, silence his phone, and eliminate all distractions. He asked God to speak to him. He wanted to hear the voice of God. He asked God what He wanted him to do as he went forward n his life. Mile after mile, he listened.

He told me how refreshing it was to close out the world and let God have all of him. It was a road trip that he will not soon forget.

Let me ask you a personal question. When was the last time you heard the voice of God? And if you can’t say for sure when the last time you heard God’s voice, why not? I think you know the answer. Me too.

Luke tells us in Luke 5:16 that Jesus often made His way to an out-of-the-way place and spent time praying, listening, and allowing God to have all of Him. No interruptions; no outside noise.

I want to encourage you to carve out some time in the near future and give God your full attention. Simply say, “God speak; your child is listening.”

To Live is Christ
Bro. Danny

The clock keeps ticking. Don’t you hear it? Tick-tock-tick-tock. Yes, time marches on.

I believe you will agree with me when I say that the most important, the most precious gift we have is the gift of time. And once a second is gone, it’s gone. There is no retrieving it. The same goes for a minute, an hour, a day, a month, and a year.

The question I’m asking myself is how did I do this past year? You know, dealing with the coronavirus, and all that comes with it. My greatest concern is that I didn’t waste a year because of Covid 19.

Paul writes: “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Paul is encouraging us to be a testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ. Even during a pandemic. Of course, the easy thing to do when the going gets tough is to quit – give up – throw in the towel.

It appears that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. In many ways, we see things getting back to normal. Not to say that the coast is clear, but things are heading in the right direction. PTL.

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny

O Glorious Day! What a celebration! This past Sunday, Easter, was a great day at Southmoore. The music was wonderful. Thank you, Bro. Doug, choir, and special music. The attendance was fantastic. There were 111 in the first service and 84 in the second. We all left encouraged and full of faith. The best is yet to come. So, the question needs to be asked, “Where do we go from here?” The Apostle Paul answers that question. He says that we are to “shine” like stars (Phil. 2:15).

We came together last Sunday and shouted, “The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen. He is alive!” Now it is our responsibility to practice what we preach. Yes, we are to be witnesses telling all those who are in darkness that Jesus is alive and that He wants to have a personal relationship with them.

Shine, Southmoore, Shine! You can make a difference. There are people all around us who need a friend, who need encouragement, who need Jesus.

To Live is Christ,
Bro. Danny