IN SPITE OF THE STORMS!

As the year comes to an end, I am reflecting on some things that I have read on a popular social media site this year that is a little disheartening. Some cannot help but to put their personal lives on the internet for all the world to see. Trouble is, they put the "Woe is me!" way too often.

Realizing that we all have bad days, I would like to share some things that might just help us through those times. Especially those who claim to be Christians.

In Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus rescued the disciples from the greatest storm they had ever faced in their lives. Reflecting on the storms that Christians face today and how God rescues His people in their own storms, I am reminded that:

• Jesus knew the disciples were going out into the greatest storm of their lives yet He sent them out into it anyway.
  
• Jesus left them to struggle in the storm for 8 or 9 hours and chose to leave them fighting the wind and waves.
  
• Jesus was praying on the mountainside alone with His Father, yet He knew exactly where His disciples were and for how long He was going to stretch their faith.

As Christians today, Jesus Christ sees your problems and the issues you are facing, even though it may feel as though He has abandoned you. Like He saw the disciples in the storm on the sea (Mark 6:47-48), this Proverb describes God as He watches over us.

“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

In the storms of life that we face, Jesus keeps His eyes fixed upon us just like He never took His eyes off the disciples in their storm while they were out for hours and hours under pressure.

We may feel that Jesus has left us in the middle of our storms and has abandoned us. But He wants to test our faith. He wants to strengthen us, to see His character and love impressed into our lives before He takes us out of the storm.

“Jesus does not save His children from the storm, He saves them in the storm.” (Spurgeon)

Remember these words of Christ when things seem unbearable in our daily storms:

“Take heart; it is I. ​Do not be afraid.” (Matt. 14:27)

Since it is raining on my parade, I think I'll dance in the rain!

Blessed,

Dr. Tim

Welcome Home!

I know it has been so long since I have posted. But, an urging inside me has once again caused me to put pen to paper (or should I say fingers to keyboard?).

Christmas is only a few days away and so much is happening! Our troops are coming home from years of deployments! Thank you guys (women included) for a job well done and your willingness to sacrifice so much.

As we await Christmas here at the Driggers household, the grand kids are all gathering for what will surely be a "festive" event. For three of them, a special gift will be opened a couple of days before they wake up to gifts left under the tree! Daddy is coming home! He will be sneaked into the house and placed inside a huge box that is wrapped and has a big bow! As the children unwrap the box and remove the bow, my son-in-law will jump out of the box and surprise his three adorable gifts of joy! It is sure to be an emotional event.

For the rest of us, the thrill of anticipation and the joy of participation in this event has been a sense of fulfillment. Knowing that our part will lead to a memory that can never be taken away. Isn't that what we are supposed to do on this holiday?

God gave us a gift that was wrapped in "swaddling" clothes and placed in a "manger" for the world to see. A gift from Heaven to be enjoyed by the whole of humanity. Today, we can take part in sharing this gift in order to see hearts filled with joy and memories that will last a lifetime. Someone somewhere needs the excitement of encouraging words, the filling of a hot meal, the comfort of a family gathering that only YOU can give.

This Christmas, give someone a wonderful memory!

Merry Christmas,
Dr. Tim

WHY?

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

Yesterday, a young Christian lost his life in a motorcycle accident in a small, yet tight knitted, community. Cody was an admired and loved young man and has directly touched many of our lives. Church members, family, and friends are in shock and saddened by the sudden departure of Cody from this life. Some are grieving the death of this loved one.

It is natural to question why God allows disasters and tragedies. After all, He is the Creator of all things and can stop things from happening at any time. Proverbs 30: 4 states He “…has gathered the wind in His fists…has wrapped the waters in His garment.” So why is suffering allowed?

I do not pretend to assume the mind of God in these things. I claim what Scripture tells me and know to be true. Tragic events cause us to acknowledge this is our temporary home and turn our hearts toward eternity. Loved ones can be gone in the blink of an eye and those with whom we spoke yesterday can be in eternity tomorrow. We are forced to think of what has eternal value and reevaluate what is important.

Suffering brings compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). When we have experienced tragedy we are better able to comfort others when they go through the same trials. We can minister and share the Good News with those looking for answers and rescue through difficulties. Often this results in people coming to know Christ through salvation.

Losing a loved one just may be the hardest thing about the lives we live. When you lose someone, you feel as though there is an empty spot in your life. Sometimes it gets filled and sometimes you learn to just remember them whenever you feel the hole.

We humans form an emotional bond with one other, it may be on purpose or solely by chance, but the bond is inevitable and this results in taking certain people in our lives for granted. We assure ourselves that whatever is said and done, each of them is going to be there forever. The empty space left behind can be filled with wonderful memories!

Knowing our loved one was a believer and had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, helps us to know that we will see them again. So, as we remember them, remember those great memories and they will forever be alive in our hearts.

We will miss you, Cody! But... we will see you again!

UPDATE: MY TRUCK IS CLEAN!

I saw a sign yesterday that said, "Early bird special. Car wash $10 from 8:00am - 10:00am." Guess what! I took my truck to the early bird special!!! Now my truck is clean! Beautiful, shiny, Crimson! (ROLL TIDE!)

Those who were there to clean the vehicles were friendly and very cooperative. Just like our lives...there is always someone there to offer the help we need. I realized after seeing the sign, that I could get some help. There were several people working together on my truck to clean it. And it only took a few minutes!

If we would just allow others who have the skills and desire to help us, we could get ourselves cleaned up in just a short while. So, don't waste any more time! Find those who are willing to help, and let them.

By the way, not only did they do a great job, I made some new friends as well!

"Early bird special - I'm willing to help"!

MY TRUCK IS DIRTY!

It is a beautiful day today! I am looking around and admiring the new blooms that some of the plants have already started to develop. Then I see it! My truck. So dirty! No clinging mud or anything like that, just road film and dust from all the dirt roads I have been driving down lately.

My truck is a beautiful "Crimson" color (can you say "ROLL TIDE!"?) when it is clean. But, today it is starting to take on a tan appearance. So dusty in fact, that when you touch it, you leave your mark!

"Wash it!" you say. Well, I want to. It just seems as though every time I tell myself that I need to, something distracts me and takes my attention elsewhere. It has been two or three weeks now since the last wash. The longer I go, the dirtier it gets. The dirtier it gets, the more noticeable it is! The more noticeable it is, the more I am reminded to wash it. I just can't seem to find the time to get it washed!

I think our lives are the same way. We travel down this road called life and get a little dirty. Sometimes it is a full blown mud hole we go through and sometimes just a dusty old dirt road that puts a little "dusting" on us. Either way, we get dirty!

Because of distractions, we put off the washing of our lives. We get dirtier and dirtier. Finally, that dirty life becomes noticeable to us as well as those who have noticed it much earlier!

Isn't it sad that I can find the time to do everything else except wash my truck? An average T.V. show lasts an hour. Surely I could clean my truck in an hour! We could begin with at least an hour a day devoted to "cleaning up" those things in our lives that make us dirty. Bible reading in order to understand the principles of God's Word. Prayer to personally connect with the One who can keep us clean.

I'm sure that those who see my truck would enjoy it more if it were clean! It is so with my life as well. Those with whom I come in contact would enjoy me more if I were "clean". A pleasant personality, non-complaining, happy, caring, and even fun guy!

I am going to enjoy my life! And, in doing so, I will get a little dirty. But, I need to wash my life frequently in order to be presented as "clean"!

Honey, where is the bucket?

POWERful LIFE!

If there is one thing I want to do in this life, it is to leave a good legacy for my wife and our children and grandchildren. With so much ahead of them, they need a good example to follow. The only way that I can be that example is to live a POWERful life before them.

I need to demonstrate Perseverance by continuing to go forward even in tough times. Things will not always go my way, but I cannot quit! Even when things are moving forward more slowly than I expected, I need to continue to move forward.

My Objectivity will demonstrate that things need to be kept in proper focus. With all of the distractions around us, it is easy to be tossed about and pulled in many directions. I can't allow small things to be blown out of proportion, or important things minimized to the point of obscurity.

Of course, I need the Wisdom to make the right decisions the right way. How do I do that? By seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and learning the principles of the Word of God! Ever faced with tough decisions, myself and those who look to me for guidance, need to know what is right and how to do the right thing.

Because life is full of trials and challenges, Energy is required to face every task and every situation. That means action! No wasted time. Taking care of myself mentally and physically is necessary. I simply cannot sit back and let LIFE pass me by.

Knowing that there are others counting on me to be an example, I have a Reason to live and serve. Serving others is the most fulfilling thing we can do in our lives! Helping my family and others reach their goals and accomplish things in their life brings me so much joy and confirms my reason for living!

My example of a POWERful life is Jesus Christ. If I can mirror His example, then there is no doubt that my legacy will inspire my family and others to also live a POWERful life!

Be strong...Get POWERful!

THREE RINGS AND A RINGMASTER!

I took my grandson to the circus a few days ago. A fun time was had by all!

While I was watching the circus, I was reminded of how our lives are similar to the circus. So many things going on at the same time, that we have a hard time focusing on just one of them. Watching this one, watching that one, and of course, watching the other one! All at once!

Trying to keep up with it all is so tiring. Not to mention, that when you try to focus on just one of the acts, the others do something so fantastic that you miss it! All the while, a Ring Master is talking and trying to guide your attention to a specific spot!

As I counsel so many people, I find that their lives are spinning out of control because they can't focus on what needs to be done. Their emotions are being tossed to and fro because they are pulled in so many directions. Just as they are getting settled on at least one of the issues, a "Ring Master" starts talking and directing their attention to another area, causing them to miss the spectacular!

I decided to just find the ring of activities that grabbed my attention first! I would watch that ring for the whole performance with only a quick casual glance to the other rings! This allowed me to not only enjoy the show, but it gave me the opportunity to allow others to share with me what they saw. None of us watched the same ring of activities!

Remember, our lives need to be focused on our abilities and our passions. We can reduce the stresses in our life by not worrying about all that is going on around us. When that obnoxious "Ring Master" begins to speak, and tries to direct your attention away from your focus, just remember that there will always be something going on... all the time... somewhere! Just keep watching your ring of activity!

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Greatest Show On Earth!" That show is LIFE!