Piranha Options Trading

I never thought much about that until just recently as when we left our church home of almost 20 years. We really didn’t want to leave, we were very comfortable, and had some good friends, however it seemed, that God was urging us to go. I have heard it many times that “God’s timing is perfect.” But I’m going to tell you, our departure didn’t seem perfect.

Imagine your on a cruise ship, sailing across the ocean. And right in the middle of the ocean, the Captain says “ time to leave!” You exit with your family into a little Dingy, with two paddle and a jug of water. Many goodbye’s and hugs left your heart full as the tears of sadness ran down your cheek. The sounds of the ship’s passengers singing and laughing slowly faded away as the cruise ship sail off into the sunset. Then all of a sudden you realize the gravity of your new reality. Alone, in the middle of a giant open space with no visible landmarks to get your bearings.

That’s exactly how we felt, the first time we stepped out on a leap of faith many years ago to start a business, and now it’s very similar as we follow God off the cruise ship called “our old church home”.

We weren’t really alone at sea, but it sure felt like it. You see when we left our church, it was right in the middle of the COVID craziness. So there were no churches waiving us inside with open arms. Many churches were closed, others were only having online services. The ones that were open, had people masked up and told to keep distant from each other. Especially people you don’t know. So very few wanted to stick around and get to know a strange family. So, in a sense, it was very much like being alone at sea.

I guess they were right, “God’s timing” is perfect, after all, even when at first, it doesn’t seem so. Since we had to keep distant, we had time to think, time to pray, time to relax, and time to be grateful! We began to consider What church is supposed to be, according to God and the Bible. What is the purpose of church in my life? What is the purpose for My life?

I picked up the book,”The Purpose Driven Life”, by Rick Warren. The book is an excellent text and discusses many of my questions about the purpose for life, relationships, family and church. In the seventeenth chapter, Rick Warren discusses the five purposes for the church. I have experienced all five at churches I have been part of.

According to the book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, church helps us focus on God. Through singing songs, reading the Bible and listening to preaching, we are invited into a closer walk with the Lord God. I can remember so many times in church and it was as if God was speaking through the preacher “exactly what I needed”, that very moment. It was like God had whispered the words in the preachers ear. And it was as if he was talking directly to me. I can remember that feeling of closeness with God, and that he truly cares about my needs.

Church fellowship or friendship, helps you face life’s problems. Jesus said he was a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

I have found that to be true, as God always seems to have someone prepared to help just when I need it the most.

Church discipleship helps to fortify our faith. The Bible is the word of God, and it is called the “word of truth”. John 17:17 I have found that teaching others what the Bible says forces me to live what the Bible says. And God promises to favor those who keep and obey his word. Luke 11:28

Ministering to others will help you find your talents. So many, including myself have found our true talents simply by lending a hand to someone in need. Many have gone off to start businesses, create inventions, and even found solutions to overcome obstacles in their lives. Zig Ziglar always said” if you help others get what they need, others will help you get what you need. Which is exactly what God said in the greatest book ever written. Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 7:12

Lastly church will help you fulfill your mission. Everyone has a deep inner longing for purpose in this life. What are we here for? Church points us to others. Others to help, to love, to lead, and even others to learn from.

I never really took time to stop and think about all I have gained from being part of a local church body. I now see that church is so much more that a place to go on Sunday. It’s truly a place to be planted, to grow and be pruned, a place to produce fruit and multiply. And it would be a good place to rest and pass on the great things the Lord has to those young believers just getting started on life’s journey.

May the Lord challenge your faith and multiply your joy in this life.

Your friend Steve

This well worn parable found in the holy book may best describe the times.

As a child we would spend hours at the kitchen table building card houses. My brothers could get 3 and sometimes 4 levels high before it came crashing down. The thing that stands out is the wreckage.

When a building crumbles there are often left half collapsed roofs, teetering walls, and piles of debris. It’s fairly easy to work back through the wreckage and determine the cause of failure. But in the card house, it falls flat. The once magnificent towering house, vanishes in an instant. No way to determine the failure, or who to blame.

I think of all the bad business news and can’t understand how the stock market continues to rise. It’s beautiful, majestic and marvelous, but will it withstand the winds of time?