To Be Continued...

It seems the entire world is preparing for war while looking for someone to prevent it. Phil certainly thinks that's the case. As he's pondering over news highlights of the past year it's evident there are those with nothing but evil on their minds. Riots, burnings, fights and killings not just with the countries warring against each other but inside those countries as well. Looking "across the pond" America, although troubled, seems to be the most stable at the moment; but saying that doesn't leave him feeling any more confident.

There are those in leadership that seem to think doing nothing will somehow settle the world's problems then there are others who attempt to do it all. People crying "foul" on one side while others are crying "help us" to anyone who will listen. Chaos abounds with very few people actually trying to calm it. Brokenness is everywhere with very little being done to fix it. It's like one of Phil's co-workers said; "We are holding our collective breath hoping for a miracle but we are running out of air".

As Phil finishes his paper James, his neighbor, pulls into the next driveway and happily waves as his car lurches into the garage. He's had it rougher than most this past year with sick kiddos, a major downgrade at his job and the loss of both of his elderly parents. Our economy has been no one's friend but poor James seems to have caught the brunt of it right out of the gate. He was almost getting his head above water when his wife totaled their car. Insurance replaced it with this now lurching, burping thing he is driving and it's been a constant fiasco getting any assistance from them since that time.

Phil stands to head inside when he sees James struggling to retrieve groceries from the back of the car. He jogs over to help, grabbing a couple of bags...and one of the twins who decided to chase the neighborhood cat. They both shake their heads and chuckle as they head inside with the grub. Phil still can't wrap his mind around how James seems so stress free with what he's went through this past year.

Phil notices a Bible laying open on the side desk as they walk in. The little corner is filled with books and papers, pens and notes along side a laptop and printer. James is the local plumber but you wouldn't know it by looking at this desk. It's obvious he has been busy on what seems to be news from the past year. Those very things Phil was just pondering over are spread across the desk, multiple paragraphs highlighted and a Bible laying front and center. Phil crinkles his nose as he walks by but curiosity quickly gets the better of him and takes over. "Changing professions, are ya' James?" Phil jokingly asks. "Oh no", James answers with a grin, "just getting some notes together for a class pastor has asked me to teach next month." Phil looks at him puzzled wondering what on earth those highlighted articles would have to do with a Bible, a church class and a pastor. James takes advantage of the inquisitive look by asking Phil if he wants to see what he's gotten together so far. Phil can't refuse. He's bursting at the seams to discuss some of this past years news and it's like James has been privy to his worries without him saying a word.

James scoops up the articles and grabs a couple of sodas from the fridge. Phil is glad James left that Bible on the desk. He doesn't want to talk religion just reality. James doesn't know it yet but he is about to show Phil how he stays "stress free" through all the reality he has experienced first hand this year. It has nothing to do with religion but everything to do with relationship.

What about you? Do you know the secret to staying stress free in this world chocked full of worrisome realities? Like Phil is about to discover, this isn't another obligation to religion but rather a simple commitment to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Choose Christ and learn to live in the peace James has rested in over the past troublesome year. Don't put it off, because something tells me there's more to come.

Choose Christ.pdf

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