Your attitude in facing a crisis in life will always determine how you come out on the other end. You can either weclome the crisis as an opportunity to mature and become stronger, or you can resent the crisis as an unwelcome intruder and become bitter. How are you doing in the crisis you are facing?

I find it interesting that the Chinese word for “crisis” combines two characters: one for danger and the other for opportunity. Is it not true that a  crisis not only alerts us to imminent danger but also provides previously unexplored opportunities?  The Hebrew word for “crisis” carries much the same idea. The term literally means “a birthing stool.” It refers to a piece of furniture upon which a Jewish woman would position herself in Old Testament times to aid in the delivery of her baby. To be sure the stool was a place of pain and trauma. A woman in labor might feel as if she were being swallowed up in contractions. But at the end, travail gives way to the marvelous moment of new birth and in that moment agony turns to fulfillment.

In the same way, a crisis in life can actually midwife a whole new set of blessings as our desperation pushes us into the arms of Jesus to discovery His love and purposes for our lives.  One of the most wonderful promises God gives  His children is that absolutely nothing can touch our lives that He cannot work for our ultimate good (Romans 8: 28).

I know military life is full of crisis, especially with the multiple deployments and all the dangers and challenges that presents, not only to the soldier, but the entire family. Yes it can be frightening and painful but never lose sight that God wants to transform your crisis into an opportunity to grow your faith in God, refine your character, and draw you closer to Him and one another. I encourage you to turn to God and let him birth a blessing through the crisis of your life! My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy

Let me suggest a prayer for soldiers who find themselves in harm’s way and for their families who look to God for deliverance. The prayer is Psalm 3 written by King David. King David’s son, Absalom, successfully executed a military coup against his father’s administration, forcing David to flee into the wilderness with a small group of loyal and battle tested warriors. The situation seemed hopeless for David and his men,  but David put his trust in God and wrote Psalm 3 as his prayer to God.

First, David acknowledged the terrible TROUBLE he was in. O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God” (verses 1-2). But instead of  focusing on his trouble David placed his TRUST in God. But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain (verses 3-4). David’s trust in God then gave him confidence of his ultimate  TRIUMPH over his enemies. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek; Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; Thy blessing by upon Thy people! (verses 5-8)

God did deliver David and his men giving them a great victory over their enemies and restoring David to his throne. I pray God will give our soldiers who find themselves in trouble, the inner fortitude to put their trust God, and know His triumph over the enemy! I pray our soldier’s  families will be able to lay down and sleep knowing God will sustain their loved one.

Of course, perfect peace comes from knowing salvation belongs to the Lord and that He gives eternal salvation to all who turn from their sin to place their trust in Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for their sin on Calvary’s cross and rose from the dead to be Lord of all! May God’s blessing be upon you and my love and prayers are with you.  Pastor Andy

Before I was married I worked as a counselor at a camp for children with disabilities whose average life span was only 16 years of age. These were children who would fall into the category of the “least of these,” but from whom I learned much. One of the “least of these” was a  little orphan boy named Bryan who came to us from an institution in inner city New York, where he had lived his entire life. He came to us having never seen trees or grass and no one had ever shared with him about the love and truth of Jesus Christ. I had the wonderful privilege of leading Bryan to Christ and giving him his first Bible. Every night Bryan would go to bed clutching his new Bible like a child would a security blanket or a doll, and every night you could hearing him praying to God for an hour or more before he fell asleep.

I will be forever indebted to Bryan and the other disabled children who taught me two life changing lessons. The first lesson is that true joy is not found in outward circumstances, but in Christ who lives within. These were the happiest children I ever met in my life despite having everything going against them from a human perspective. On the other hand, I have interacted with children blessed with physical health and material blessing who are some of the unhappiest people I have ever met. True joy is found through a relationship with Christ and everything else is a fleeting mirage.

The second lesson I learned is that God glories in perfecting His strength in weakness. These children did not whine but they shined for Jesus! They taught me there is no future in frustration. Talk about being excited about Christ’s return, these children were, knowing that when they saw Jesus He would heal them!

Like Bryan, I pray God will give you the grace to be content in any and all circumstances through a relationship with Christ, and that He will teach you that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” My love and prayers are with you and especially those who are deployed and for their families. Pastor Andy

I believe all of us would admit there are times when we need an attitude adjustment. I like what Chuck Swindoll wrote about attitude: Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it. I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitude is right, there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.

Do you need an attitude adjustment? Possibly you are a deployed soldier struggling with the challenges or boredom of your deployment, or you may be a wife struggling with being separated from your husband and managing the children alone. Whatever your circumstances we all need from time to time attitude adjustments.

The Bible says, Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts (Proverbs 4: 23). Notice your life is shaped by your thoughts, your attitude. How do you adjust your attitude? By looking to God instead of your circumstances and this should begin when you first get up in the morning. Let me suggest a threefold technique in getting up. First, stretch which gets the body going. Then smile, which puts the soul in the right attitude so we don’t start the day grumbling. And then say, “God love me.” Body, soul, and spirit, you are starting the day right. Stretch, smile, and say, “God loves me.”

Then as you go through the day develop the habit of looking to God through prayer and His Word. Practice Philippians 4: 6, Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Add to your prayers meditating on God’s Word. Psalm 1: 1-3 says, Happy are those who…are always meditating on God’s Word…They are like trees along a river…that do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. Simply pick one verse for each day, right it on a small card so it can stay with you throughout the day, and when things get rough or your attitude starts to sour, pull the card out and reflect on God’s Truth.

Always remember, God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble (Psalm 46: 1), and therefore you can say,  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4: 13). My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy

Recently one of the deployed soldiers from our church returned for his R & R. We had the soldier and his family over to our home for supper and it was so great  to see how much the family enjoyed being back together. The wife and children’s faces beamed with delight and the soldier had such a deep sense of joy and contentment. And then what a joy it was to see the entire family in church together enjoying their worship of God. They have been busy trying to cram as much happiness into two weeks as possible and it appears they have done a good job! It has been one of those times when you wish you could cause time to stand still knowing he must return to his deployment all too soon.

Why does a family goes through this emotional roller coaster over multiple deployments? Because of their commitment to protect our nation and maintain the freedoms we all enjoy. Our soldiers have taken the fight to the enemy so  my family can enjoy one another’s company and worship together without the fear of the enemy’s attacks on our homeland.

I simply want our soldiers and their families to know we appreciate the many sacrifices you make and we will be forever indebted to you. You have earned our nation’s respect and you have won the nation’s heart. Thank you for your sacrifice! My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy

As a pastor I am often asked, “How can I have a quiet time with God?” Let me suggest a simple approach in using the Lord’s Prayer that is very easy for military personnel to practice in their busy and hectic schedules. This prayer is good for the deployed soldier facing a  battle with the enemy, as well as his wife facing the battle of caring for the children on her own.

1. Give God your praise - Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

2. Give God your life – Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

3. Give God your needs – Give us this day our daily bread.

4. Give God your guilt – And forgive us our debts (sins)…

5. Give God your hurts – …as we also forgive our debtors.

6. Give God your fears – And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

May God bless you with this simple approach to give God your attention, your affections, and your allegiance. My love and prayers are with you and especially the Edgewood Baptist soldiers presently deployed and their families.   Pastor Andy

Recently I have been dealing with a young daughter of a deployed soldier who has been suffering from fear due to the separation from her father. I believe she has tried to suppress the anxiety due to the separation, but it resurfaces in the face of some scary imaginary monsters. One of the things I shared with her in order to overcome her fears is that she needs to substitute the scary thoughts with good thoughts, and think about them long enough until her fear subsides. Her mother and I have given her several suggestions on the types of good things to think about.

All of us can relate to this little girl’s struggle because we all struggle with fear.  Reality is there are thousands of scary imaginary monsters that surface when we are uncertain of what might or might not happen. It could be fear on the battlefield, the fear of losing a loved one, or the fear of losing financial security.

David of the Old Testament was a soldier and dealt with many such fears. How did David overcome his fear? In Psalm 56: 3-4, David wrote, When I am afraid I will put my trust in Thee. In God whose Word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. Notice David replaced his scary thoughts by turning to God and reflecting on God’s written Word.

How can you overcome your fears? In the same way,  putting your trust in God by reflecting on and praising His Word until the fear subsides and God’s peace takes hold. My prayer is that God will enable you to overcome your scary imaginary monsters and experience God’s peace.  My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy

Our youngest child, Charissa, was born with down syndrome and is a precious gift and blessing to our family in many ways. When most people think of a down syndrome child they think of their amazing capacity to feel and express affection toward others, and that is certainly true of Charissa. But there is also their stubborn side where they can be fiercely obstinate. On one such occasion Charissa turned her back to me, folded her arms, refusing to comply with my directions. After I long battle of the wills I asked, “Charissa who is the boss in this family anyway?” She suddenly turned around pointing her tiny finger toward my face and replied, “Daddy you may be the boss but I’m in charge!”

We laugh at the story but how often do we display that same attitude toward our heavenly Father? “God you may be the boss, you may be Lord, but I am in charge.” We find it difficult to relinquish control of our lives to God but we must remember like any loving father, God only thinks of our best interests. In Hebrews 12: 10b we read, “But God’s discipline is always good for us.” In light of God’s love there is nothing more foolish a person could do than resist surrender of his or her life to God.

I know these are very difficult days for many of our military families. I urge you to put God in charge of your life because only when God is in charge will you find peace, harmony, and joy. Let me hear from you and how I can pray for you. My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy

OUR THINKING                                    GOD’S PROMISE

It’s impossible.                     All things are possible (Luke 18: 27).

I’m too tired.                        I will give you rest (Matthew 11: 28-30).

Nobody loves me.                 I love you (John 3: 16).

I can’t go on.                       My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

I can’t figure things out.        I will direct your steps (Proverbs 20: 24).

I can’t do it.                        You can do all things (Philippians 4: 13).

I’m not able.                       I am able (2 Corinthians 9: 8).

It’s not worth it.                  It will be worth it (Romans 8: 28).

I can’t forgive myself.         I forgive you (1 John 1: 9; Romans 8: 1).

I can’t manage.                  I will supply all your need (Philippians 4: 19).

I’m afraid.                         I’ve not given you a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1: 7).

I’m always frustrated.        Cast all you care on Me (1 Peter 5: 7).

My faith is too small.          You only need a little (Matthew 17: 20).      

I’m not smart enough.        I’ll give you wisdom (James 1: 5)

I feel so alone.                  I will never leave you  (Hebrews 13: 5).

My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy

Since we are always wishing one another a happy new year I thought it would be good to share a few thoughts on how to have a happy new year. Contrary to what most people think true happiness is not dependent on favorable circumstances but rather a right relationship with Christ. This is good news for our military families who are often dealt very unfavorable circumstances with the stress of multiple deployments, not to mention economic hardships.

A very meaningful verse in the Bible is Psalm 43: 4, I will go to the altar of God, to God the source of all joy. The altar is the place of surrender to God. The path to true happiness is found in surrendering your life to God. When God is the center of your life joy is inevitable. There is a line in a children’s song that says, Joy is the flag flown high in the castle of my heart when the King is in residence there. What does it mean to surrender your life to God?

Anyone in the military knows what it means to submit to authority and obey orders. Surrender to God is simply submitting to God’s authority, to follow His orders and seek His approval. The difference with surrender to Christ is that our motivation is more out of delight than duty. You gladly surrender in response to His sacrifice for you when He surrendered His Son on the altar of the cross to pay for the penalty of your sin and impute His righteousness to your account when you believe in Him. Romans 12: 1 reads, With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him.

I encourage you to surrender your life to God and discover the true source of lasting happiness; a happiness not dependent upon things present or  things absent, but a happiness rooted in the ever-present and never absent Jesus!  I wish you a Happy New Year!!! Know there is a pastor and a church praying for you.  Pastor Andy