Good morning!  I hope you have been able to stay warm these last couple of days.  The good  news is we are headed for a big thaw this coming weekend.  It may get up to 50!  Woohoo!

             Another item of good news involves the Argots.  We were able to move them into the new parsonage yesterday.  We are still planning an open house once they get settled.  Thanks to all who helped clean last week and those who helped move furniture and boxes yesterday.  I know Dale, Pam and James are glad to finally be home.

             Praise the Lord for the great service on Sunday.  It’s nice to have everyone back and to be consistently breaking the 100 barrier (105 on Sunday).  We also welcomed four new members into our fellowship:  Deborah Smith, Brandi Sparks, Sam and Sandy Lyon.  Plus, I believe God encouraged a number of people during our closing prayer time as we submitted to him our fears.  

             As God told the suffering church at Smyrna, “I know about your affliction and your poverty.  I know the terrible things people have said about you.  Don’t be afraid!”  Why?  (1) Because it’s temporary  (2) Because even if you die, you will live and (3) One day you will receive the crown of life.  The First and the Last has already overcome our last enemy death, so we have nothing to fear.

            Yet, according to a recent poll, Americans are more frightened that ever.  USA Weekend recently ran a cover story entitled, What Americans Are Afraid Of.  Here is their list:

• 63% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of inadequate Social Security
• 61% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of not having enough money for retirement
• 54% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of being in a car crash
• 53% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of having cancer
• 36% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of food poisoning 
• 35% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of getting Alzheimer’s
• 33% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of being a victim of individual violence
• 32% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of being unable to pay their current debts
• 28% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of exposure to a foreign virus
• 25% are “afraid” or “very afraid” of a natural disaster.

Most Americans are living in fear this morning.  

             Allan Emery, a successful business man, tells the story of spending a night with a shepherd on the Texas prairie.  During the night, the wail of a coyote spooked the sheep.  The sheep dogs immediately sprang up and were on alert.  The sheep began to bleat pitifully and were in a panic.  

             Emery says the shepherd simply got up and threw a couple of logs on the fire.  In the glow Allan Emery says he could see thousands of little lights in the darkness.  He realized those lights were reflections of the fire in the eyes of the sheep.

             “In the  midst of danger,” he observed, “the sheep were not looking out into the darkness where their enemy lurked, but instead they were keeping their eyes set in the direction of their safety, looking toward the shepherd.  It reminds me of Hebrews 12 where we are encouraged to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith.  Don’t be afraid.  Keep your eyes on the Shepherd.

                                                                              Have a great week,
                                                                              Pastor Barry