Pastor Jamie completed his mission with excellence, and so he got to go home early.

That's what his name Immanuel means. "God WITH us." With us in our suffering.

"Faith is spelled R-I- S- K..." So what waters are Jesus calling you to step out on?

As I think about Harvey Dent, the Batman foe known as Two-Face, I am reminded of some of us as we go through life.

God heals. Sometimes through his hand, sometimes through doctors... and sometimes through calling us home to heaven...

Oh boy! Waiting! And then God showed me a big waiting room at a Doctor's Office...

That's where God has me right now. A place of rest. It's not heavy or ill-fitting.

I used to live in Azerbaijan, where hospitality really WAS a core cultural value. Having a Guest was a BIG DEAL...

Have you ever had an "I done goofed" moment with God? I did, just this morning! But I'll get to that in a minute...

More swamps. Just like the passage I read this morning. "More Fire Swamp, God, with quicksand hazards and Rodents of Unusual Size?"

God is ABLE to deliver us, from the bog of our own bad decisions and willful disobedience... But deliverance is often not without pain.

The really astounding part for David, is that God would make these precious promises, as he put it "EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW ME JUST AS I AM."

But be bold, no matter who is watching. No matter what sacred cow is being worshiped.

Maybe God has made promises to you, but all you can see is the locked door? "Stop doubting and believe."

So my question for you is, what's your status? 'Going it alone with your anchor dragging, or are you in safe harbor with other believers?

Sometimes God requires hard things. He gives us missions or puts us in circumstances that require us to be resolute.

Original Song "Unexpected Surprises", written after extraordinarily successful stem cell harvesting.

"Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift..." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Celebrate God's little surprises!

Sometimes God removes us from hardships. But more often, He chooses to help us endure them.