Fearless

Someone loaned me a biographical novel about one of our brave Navy Seals killed in service for our nation. His story relays that from way back as a child, he was described as fearless; willing to try to do almost anything, regardless of the risk and almost without fear of failure. Wonderful story of triumph over personal weakness, but he remained a believer in His faith to the end, living and dying fearlessly. May be a lesson we could learn here in our lives too.

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear. We hear about slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, political unrest, downturns in the housing market, and upswings in global warming. “The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word "terror." Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out? “What if faith, not fear, was our default reaction to threats? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.” (Max Lucado)

I believe that the church should have that same swagger and attitude too! Not because we are better than others, not because we have all the right answers, but we do have an amazing Lord who pours out His grace and His power on us, when...when, we act in faith and not in fear. We have been so blessed here at Covenant. Facility improvements and owe so little; God sending us amazing people to work with our youth and our children and music. We have seen a number of younger families make their way to worship with us, and yet....as your pastor, I sense God has even greater things in store for us, when we are willing to continue to take great risk for His Kingdom sake.

As your pastor, I pledge to help us continue to find ways to be fearless in our attempt to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land, and to open wide the doors of our church to all those who need a place like Covenant. Church, are you willing to be fearless too? 

A Time to Remember

I remember where I was on 9/11 and I bet you do too. I was serving Leesville First Methodist and had many military families in our church. I found out that all had been placed on High Alert - their lives and our lives have not been the same since. I don't care if you think our military response is right or wrong. I am asking you to do what I called our church family to do that day - Pray

Max Lucado shared a beautiful prayer for the nation just days after 9/11, and I would like to share part of that with us: "We're still hoping, we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, "What a horrible dream." But we won't, will we Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and dear Father, We are sad.

We are sad, Father, for as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't.

And so we come to you. We don't ask for help, we beg you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do.

We thank you dear Father, for these hours of unity. Christians are praying with Jews. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity. (my side note - above all, PRAY FOR THIS SENSE OF UNITY TO RETURN - CHRIS)

We thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you, O Lord. And he has no idea what You can do.

Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us, wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy on the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe. And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you have used her to heal a hurting world. DO IT AGAIN, LORD. DO IT AGAIN. AMEN!

Sincerely,
Chris Blanchard