First, let me say a few things about last Sunday. Our church had it's annual picnic, and it was outstanding! I will try to get my hands on some pictures to show you how it went. My dad and I cooked 14 briskets, 35 pounds of sausage, a big turkey breast, and a pit ham. We started cooking last Wednesday and finished with everything in the smoker Sunday morning. Estimates are that 350-400 were fed, and I would say that number is a bit conservative. I was enthralled by the fellowship and community that we were able to engage in. It was a spectacular event that will linger in my mind for some time.

Now for this week...

Do you ever feel that God is forcing you into growing your faith? My wife, kids, and I are having to wade through some junk right now, and it isn't fun. Whenever I start to think about problems with finances or other trivial drivel, I feel convicted. I think often of the stories that I have read of how God intervened at the last moment in some very critical situations. Usually, He had to act because no one else would have been capable of offering conclusion to the matter at hand. I am strengthened because I know that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I have hope because of the things that He has done in my past.

I am glad to be in this situation because I often forget that. I pray for the joy that the man in Acts 3:8 felt. I yearn for the power that Moses felt when he left Egypt with God's people in tow. I desperately want to know the peace that Horatio Spafford felt when he wrote his awesome song.

I only have to look, and it is all around me. I only have to offer, and my fear will be taken. I only have to trust, and all will be resolved. I am a child of Almighty God, man! My life was bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus, and He sent his Holy Spirit to comfort me because my eyes couldn't see Him. God placed me in the palm of his hand, and that is what strengthens my neck so that I can hold my head up. I will shout with joy when my head is raised, and not waste time by bowing it to ponder worrisome things. Psalms 23: "The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need."

After all, Jesus fed like 5000 people with a small fish dinner (minus the fries) and no one left hungry. I can buy a 3-piece with fries, bread, hushpuppies, tartar sauce AND a grape soda, but my doubt is what keeps it from feeding the world.