Mountains in the Valley

Mountains in the Valley In God We Trust “In God We Trust.” Words found on all U.S. coin and paper currency. Who are you trusting with your money? Have you chosen the bank, your investors, your mattress? Wherever and whoever your money is,  you still call it YOUR money. You decide to keep YOUR money, give it away, or spend it on stuff. Now you have your stuff and, if you found a bargain, you still have some of your money. Concerning both your stuff and your money, you own it. You determine its destiny, right? Nope, you are so wrong. Anything that you own, and will not part with, you do not own at all. You do not own these things. They own you. “In God We Trust” is written on money for a reason. What is it about money that makes us so crazy and full of selfish excuses? You might say, "Of course I trust God when it comes to my money and finances." But, what are we trusting Him for? We trust Him to give us more of it. We trust Him to give us plastic cards to use du

Mountains in the Valley            Misunderstood      Communication in a relationship is essential to the life of that relationship. It is not simply talking but it also is listening to the other person. Misinterpretation of what is said leads to misunderstandings and confusion. Realize God, nor His Son Jesus Christ, nor the Holy Spirit are ever confused or misunderstands. Think back on a misunderstanding with someone…your spouse, your parents, your teenager, a friend, a coworker, or perhaps you misunderstood the Holy Spirit. Did you want to hear what that person had to say? Probably not. In fact, we are guilty of hearing what wasn’t said at all. You know the phrase, “I heard what you said but I know what you meant.” Somebody misunderstands. We sometimes have a listening problem. We hear but we do not listen. Our heavenly Father has no problem saying what He needs to say when He needs to say it. God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit. God’s purposes and will are revea

Mountains in the Valley Taking Care of Business Audio of 'Taking Care of Business'  (click) (At church on Sunday morning) Each of you came here today to take care of business. In fact, some come to church every Sunday Whose business is it? That's yo' business. You come to the house of God to give praise and worship. Whose business is it?  That's God's business. You usher, or sing or maybe just sit pretty on the pew. Whose business is it?  That's yo' business. You welcome and witness to the lost, and share the love, joy, and peace in this holy place. You encourage the hurting. That's God's business. You clap your hands to the music. The beat is good you know!! You don't care what the one next to you thinks. Why should you? That's yo' business, not theirs. But you clap your hands as an expression of praise from your total being, as a sign of the Spirit moving. That's God's business.