It’s All Good – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Sathl

Today’s Passages – Luke 23 – 24; Proverbs 5

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 21 – 25; Memorize – Jude 22)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3

Read a great article, “5 Steps off the Plateau”, by Dr. Paul Chappell

Good morning! In Psalm 22, David is going through the wringer. He is crying out to the Lord for help. The Holy Spirit forms the words in his heart, and paints a picture of the crucifiction of our Lord. Have you ever been there? Did you ever reach a point in your life that you felt like the dogs have surrounded you, ready to tear you apart? How do you deal with it? Has the Lord your God forsaken you? That’s wierd: He said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Maybe the problem is us. Every good gift comes from God. Since He is the Source of everything we receive, doesn’t that make it all good? Our perseption must be off. We preceive the bad things as bad when in reality they are actually good things. The bad things are designed to bring us closer to God. To help us help others. Sometimes for chastisement, which is also for our good.

I had a rough time at work two weeks ago. I worked 73 hours. Yes, I made a nice paycheck, but at what cost. I missed my wife. I missed our preachers tenth anniversary dinner. I actually cursed (not that I used bad words) my job. But it was for my good. That week was actually a good gift. I understand now that I need to be more organized at work. I appreciated getting away for the men’s retreat here at Camp Calvary. But as I said, it is all how we precieve the bad things that happen to us. We need to look at them as good things: good gifts from God: training on survival in this world.

I think if I come away with anything from this retreat, I would like a better attitude. Looking at my problems as being good is a great start.

Peace. (John 16:33)