Story by Debra Anderson
The Fredericksburg (Va.) church is located just a few miles from Marine Corps Base Quantico. The base’s proximity to the church makes it convenient for active-duty personnel to worship there on Sabbaths.
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“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’” (John 21:15, NIV).
There is a powerful truth that comes through this passage. For reasons not entirely clear, Peter had returned to fishing. In the days after the resurrection, he was an uncertain and insecure individual. What lay ahead, he didn’t know. In denial and cursing Jesus, Peter utterly failed when Jesus needed him most. He may have even thought that his sin and failure eliminated the possibility of ever being used by God again.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those He loves” (Ps. 127:1–2, NIV).
It was my senior year. I was living in the dormitory at Mt. Vernon Academy. We had returned to our rooms after a Saturday evening program in the gymnasium. I no longer recall just what it was that was plaguing my mind. It could have been stress over a test or project in one of my classes. Perhaps there was turmoil with my girlfriend.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).
I was 2-years-old when part of my finger was cut off. My parents had a boat, and I loved to play on it whenever my dad was working in the house. I was playing one day, when I suddenly fell off, and my finger got stuck in the motor. My dad rushed me to the hospital. My life hasn’t been the same since.
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:12, NIV).
This verse is important to me because it shows that God will help me when I need it. I can trust that He will help me to know what to do or say in times of trouble.
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22, KJV).
The day had been long. The boss was less than kind or fair, I felt. It had been so busy. I was tired and grumpy, feeling sorry for myself. Ungodly thoughts repeatedly raced through my mind, making me feel worse and worse. Have you ever experienced similar days? Or weeks?
The thought came to me, You don’t have to keep making yourself miserable. There’s a much better way. I replaced my negative thought with this reflection:
Editorial de Jorge Agüero
¿Hay alguien que siempre llega tarde a las reuniones? Puede que esa persona seas tú. Sin embargo, si hay alguien que siempre llega a tiempo. Usted sabe a quién me refiero. Pero cuando se trata del tiempo de Dios, muchos sacan la conclusión equivocada. Las dificultades personales o las calamidades y el sufrimiento pueden hacer que uno cuestione su plan bueno y perfecto. Algunos han perdido la confianza en la promesa de Jesús de su segunda venida, porque, en su opinión, llega tarde. Segunda de Pedro 3:9 nos da una idea de este aparente retraso:
Story by Evan Knott
“Wow! I can’t believe you did this!” That has been the typical response of kids and parents when they see the newly renovated children’s wing at Chesapeake Conference's New Hope church in Fulton, Md., for the first time.
“Kids Town” is a complete redesign of the children’s Sabbath School hallway (“circles” at New Hope) on the church’s second floor. The space has been reimagined to resemble an entire town featuring landmarks like a café, pet store, arcade, pizzeria, toy store, barber shop, farmer’s market, ice cream truck and more.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them” (Ps. 34:7, NIV).
I was living in St. Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, with my wife, Marlene, and baby daughter, Priscilla. Two of my wife’s siblings, Ruven and Beth, were visiting, and we went to the beach, which was noticeably empty.
In the afternoon, Ruven, Beth and I went into the water. Shortly after, an undertow began to pull us out to sea. Ruven and Beth held onto their floats and made it back to shore. I, thinking I’d be able to stand, jumped off the float. Fear overwhelmed me as I realized the undercurrent had dragged me close to the 1,000-foot drop, famous for its scuba diving.
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1, NIV).
Think of a time when you were scared. What did you do? When I was younger, I went to a camp, and one of the activities was water tubing. Even though I was very excited to try it, I was also very scared. I was so nervous that I got butterflies in my stomach.