I am not afraid!

For the second time in a week, crime has hit close to home. This afternoon, my daughter's cell phone rang with a call from a friend letting her know that police were all over Stirling Road, searching for robbers on the run. They had found the getaway car at the gas station where we usually get gas. My daughter and I were on our way out the door. Should we go, bad guys running around, you could hear the helicopters in the area. Amber's words to me, "If it's our time to go, that is God's doing, I am not afraid." I thought, true, but let's check the news just to see how close this chase really is. God gave us a brain not to walk into dangerous situations. As we left our subdivision, you could see police cars all around the Rock Creek neighborhood. Yes, there definitely was something going down. But you can not stop living or doing. Life goes on. Last week, my daughter and husband had to face their school going on lockdown due to a prisoner shooting the police officer transporting him to court. Amber texted me from her class asking me why and what was going on. I explained the situation. But I must admit, if she was at this school and her dad wasn't an employee, I may have been a bit more anxious about the situation. They did catch the guy only a mile from her school.

I always have friends and family, that no longer live here, question me about why I stay in South Florida. Truly, because I LOVE this place. I do not think there is a geographical cure. I believe this a great place to raise your children. We can not hide them from reality, we need to teach them to make wise choices, to be aware of their surroundings, and to find ways to be a light in the darkness. And those that have the light, should not run because they are faced with some darkness. I don't particularly care for gunned robbers running the neighborhood, but it doesn't mean that I must run and hide.

Today, as we were out and about, my daughter and I ran into some kids needing some money. My daughter reminded me as we walked out of the store, to give the boy some money. Be a light in a dark world, the more we shine, the brighter the light outshines the darkness. John 12:46 speaks Jesus words, when he said, "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark".

Yes, there will be darkness in this world, but heaven is a place of love and light...we can not hide here because of fear, we need to shine, for heaven's sake! Thank you Lord for the police officers who put their lives on the line for my safety each day.

Invest & Inspire

Sometimes it can be hard to put into words how someone else has invested and made a difference in your life. This past week in our staff meeting, Pastor Troy challenged the FRC team to stop and remember those people in your life that have made a difference, that have influenced your life for the better, that have encouraged you to take steps towards the best parts of who God has created you to be. Troy shared the following from Philippians 1:3-

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

I do have a list of people, but today I write about 2!

Dr EG Robertson is one of those people. Dr EG, is the first man that I ever met that modeled what it meant to be a true man of faith. He is the first pastor that I ever heard speak the words, "Jesus loves you". I watched his life, heard his words and admired his class. I did not have any male role models in my life at the time that carried the truth in such a way that he did. I wanted to know more, and looked forward to a chapel service when he was going to speak. As a teenager, his Christian walk, was a big influence on my choices to take those steps. I knew Dr EG from afar, my seat in the congregation to his place on stage, but I was able to get to know his son in college. And a cool thing I discovered about Dr EG, is that he passed his love for God, family, and sharing Christ down to his son, Garland. Garland is someone that God has used as a voice of God in my life and the life of my family members. He was there when my sister was diagnosed with lupus, he walked into the room just minutes after my dad passed away. He has shown that his obedience to the Holy Spirit always allows for God to be able to use him in others lives in some of the most difficult times they face. Just last week, I found a card in my mailbox and it was words of encouragement, sharing how my father would be proud of me...it came from Garland. My father never said he was proud of me, but like I said Garland speaks God's words, because I know my heavenly Father is. Dr EG has made an impact on my life, and even greater, he has passed this legacy down through his family. I send my love and prayers to the Robertson family and thank God for them!
Take some time today and blog about that person who has invested and inspired you to reach, to step towards the Light! If you do not have a blog, call them, send them a card! Take some time to show your thankfulness for people who have been there for you in your best and worst times of life!

Shop, Drop, and Roll

This past Sunday evening, the students of Flamingo Road Church Student Ministry were able to give of their time and resources to help out some families less fortunate. We hosted our 2nd annual Food Drop. It is such a simple concept. Find a family in need, come together as a small group, each student give $10, go to the grocery store and purchase all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal and deliver to the family. We had 20 groups go out into the community. What an adventure they had. Each week in Student Ministry the message is given to students telling them of God's love and what the Bible teaches about issues relevant to their stage of life. But nothing teaches them the reality of being Christ, like this event can. Going out and being Jesus to someone in need. Our hope is that this just doesn't happen once a year for them, but they become sensitive to the needs of others around them in their everyday life, from school, to their neighbors, family members. Here is one of the stories from a leader:

A quick recap from our wacky adventure. We found the house this year but it was empty- no furniture, no carpet- but we could hear a dryer going and see cars in the garage. We called the phone numbers but no answer- left messages- no call back- so—we were in the process of taking the groceries back to the car to deliver to another family when---- several people came out from the next door neighbor’s house. Turns out the family was in the process of moving and were staying with the family next door. Our surprise was blown but we actually got to help out 2 families (the original and the kind neighbor). On our way home, the mom called my cell phone (I had left the # when we were trying to find them) and was so thankful- sharing with me that she was suffering from cancer and the children had just asked that week what they were going to do for Thanksgiving with no money and no home. She even said that her littlest asked her if God had told her that we were coming with the groceries! Sniffles, tears ensued- wow!! How much more were we blessed by this experience – it was huge!!! Love, love loved it!!!! Thanks God! Sue

PS, Chad, FRC Student Pastor, also blogged about the event and he has more photos, check it out at www.chadswanzy.blogspot.com

On the Run

I have been busy for like 8 days straight...from Middle School Costume Dance to Trunk or Treat with visiting my son somewhere in the middle. Tonight I am actually sitting still for a few hours at home, and what did I discover...Run's House has started it's new season on Thursday nights at 10:30pm on MTV. I do not follow too many shows, but this one I will try and catch each week.