Good News – Real News

Joe’s car broke down and he asked his wife if he could borrow her car for work the next day. She asked how will I get to work? He said he had arranged a ride for her and that his drive was so much farther, and she was not as safe a driver. She was hurt by this judgment, but chose to be gracious. When Joe got home, he did not look good, his wife asked what was wrong. He stammered, hemmed & hawed, then with a nervous smile said, “I have good news and bad news, which one do you want first?”. She said, “The good news”. He said, “I am sure you will be glad to hear the airbags work in your car!” 

Such is life! It usually carries a little of both sides of the news.

GOOD NEWS

Just the other day I experienced this. I was sent two notes from two individuals that I had come into contact with through ministry. One was from an individual that shared the night she attended a retreat I was leading, God opened her heart at the invitation and she just wanted me to know how her life had completely changed. I sent a note back thanking her for letting me know. I said, “We both know it was all the Holy Spirit that opened your heart, but it feels good to know He let me be part of that process!

That same day I received another message from a person I discipled, and he asked me if it was ok if the folks he was discipling could make copies of the discipleship manual I took him through. I asked him why he thought I would mind, I gave him a copy and told him to make copies for those he discipled. He told me he was worried that so many copies might get made that…he stopped because he heard me laughing. I said, “Brother do I wish”!

REAL NEWS

Later that same day our mail came. Long story, short: For some reason, when we refinanced our home for a much better rate to save money, the company we were with stopped paying our homeowners insurance. So, without letting us know they drained the surplus we had in our escrow account, and now our new mortgage payment was much more than we could afford. I spent the day on the phone, they admitted their mistake, and said “sorry”, but nothing else. I called home insurers and found a great price. Our mortgage is back to where it was, but we have no cushion in our account. Glad my confidence is in His supply, not my own, not the bank, nor a mortgage company.

SUPPORT: 

This is the one topic I really avoid because the world hears this nonstop from Church TV. DD and I have felt your incredible support through your desire to know how to pray for us and your communication with us. However, a friend called and apologized for forgetting to send support during the pandemic, and a man I disciple asked about where our support was, both challenged me to let my entire team know. So, I can honestly state that the past two years drained the funds we have and I have taken less for my salary lately. If the Holy Spirit leads you, and if you possess the ability to give a gift, we would appreciate it.

ATTITUDE: GOM? 

What is GOM? The last thing I ever wanted to become in my life was a “Grouchy Old Man”, but I see it happening. God has a great sense of humor. This update was finished this morning but I decided I would send it after Worship this morning when I returned home. At Church, I began a discussion with a friend and I shared with her about being a GOM. She laughed and said – “What you want is to be this kind of GOM = Glad Old Man! Thanks God for the gentle rebuke! So, what is a believer to do when they desire to change? Being honest and transparent is never fun…especially when you are failing! But this is the life I have committed to, so please pray for my attitude. I am allowing my health circumstances to control my inward character. I have lost some battles, but with Christ and your prayers, I will win the war!