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You may not know this, I prefer to keep it a secret, I hate to admit it but I often like to scare Randal Houston around the church. He works here at the church, and he is easy to scare. I may hide behind the stairs or inside a door and when he walks out, I jump out and scream “AHHHHHH!” It is sooooo funny to see the look of fear on his face and then we both laugh and laugh and laugh. Not the other side of the story, I hate it when Randal does it to me. It scares me to death, and he may have cheated some years off my life when he scares me. When was the last time you were scared?

I read a story this week of a woman in Missouri driving her son to baseball practice. I am sure she had done many times. As she was driving, all the sudden a snake popped his head out of the hood. They attempted to chase the snake out of the car but it refused to leave. So she drove it to the school she worked and tried to get help, including the superintendent. Finally, they were able to remove the snake from the hood. 1

While these may seem silly events, the truth is, in life we often face real things that scare us-even Christians. Fear is not something to avoid but rather see how it can grow our faith. I know many of you face health issues, family struggles or even a habitual sin that seems to keep us from growing in our faith. But the Bible is clear, fear is ok but it should lead us closer to God rather than separate us from God.

We recently started a new sermon series on David. David’s life was one of the highest highs, but also the lowest of lows. David writes and shares with us his many feelings in the Book of Psalm. In Psalm 55, we see such a time that fear has gripped him.

Psalm 55: 5-8 says

5 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. 6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest- 7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert; 8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.

Here David is honest with God. His song tells of his fear and for David justified fear. He expresses how he wishes he could just run away and not have to face the crushing fear that he now faces. Today, you may be afraid or that loss that you question how you can move beyond. Maybe the fear waiting for the medical results of a test. Or still wondering if your marriage can survive or a child that has lost their way and if they will return to the Lord. Life is full of fears, so what can we do?

The same Psalm continues with David sharing his honest feelings but he also arrives at a will to continue.

Psalm 55: 22 says

22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you, he will let the righteous fall.

Today take heed and comfort in that, fear is real but so is God’s care and provision. The Psalm ends in verse 23 with this closing statement- “But as for me, I trust in you.”

Fear is something we all will face, but fear can also serve to move us closer to God. 

Today, face your fear and cry out to God. Be honest with God and grow closer to God and let your trust in God grow to move on today. Come and encourage one another and be at church so we can cry out together but also rejoice and worship together as well. 

See you Sunday!

In Christ,

Brother Alan

1 https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/05/20/Missouri-Department-of-Conservation-black-rat-snake-car/5241747757960/

 Summer is here! I’m sure plans are in motion to get away from your daily routines, and to refresh and enjoy Gods creation. In the vacation season, I want to encourage you to
not take a vacation from God.

Whether our travels take us to the beaches of Florida, or to the mountains of Yellowstone; time with the Lord must remain our priority. The work of God never rests, never takes a vacation, and our relationship with him shouldn’t either.

Worship is a lifestyle, not just a few songs we sing on Sunday. Although important, Jesus wants our hearts. He wants us to put him first. HE WANTS US! Just that
sentence alone makes me want to jump for joy!

I want to encourage you to continue to sing his praises, express gratitude, and live daily for Him who loves you dearly. Psalm 96:2 reminds us “sing to the Lord, bless his name proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”

Let us not forget our mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. In our adventures and travels, as we sit in the hot sand or feel the cool breeze gazing at Mount Rushmore, there are people who are broken and lost who haven’t heard of our living hope named Jesus. We are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5: 14-16).

I hope and pray that you all are safe during your travels. I want to again encourage you to spend time daily with our loving God who sent his Son to pay our debt. Whether that be reading scripture with coffee or singing worship songs with the family around a campfire. Wherever your travels take you, let this summer be not only a time of refreshment, but of deepening your faith.

Much Love,

Tyler