Into The Lion's Den!

The rain started just as we were ready to leave for church and I wondered how many would be discouraged from getting out to attend church in person.  We were not deterred, because as I often tell my husband, "I am neither a lump of sugar nor the wicked witch of the west, so a little rain won't make me melt!".  And the morning at FBC was full of promise and blessings.  The rain didn't last, but the blessings began pouring in as we lifted our voices in a congregational song of worship and praise.  After the welcome by McGinty, we had the sweet honor of witnessing the baptism of a young girl, followed by the choir, orchestra and our other accomplished accompanists as we presented a lively version with a calypso feel of "We've Come To Bless Your Name".  The congregation joined us in a few more minutes of praise and worship before Pastor Wes led us back into the book of Daniel, Chapter Six. .  The story is familiar to us from Sunday School and Bible School.  Daniel, a Jewish captive, is faithful in his worship of the One True God and God gives him great discernment and wisdom, so that he receives favor from the pagan kings who rule the conquering empires.  The road is not without its challenges, but Daniel continues to be faithful to God through every trial. When King Darius wants to make him the second most powerful person in the land, some of the king's advisors become jealous and hatch an elaborate plot to get rid of Daniel, though he had done nothing wrong.  They trick the king into making a decree regarding making a petition to any god or anyone but him and making the punishment for that infraction being thrown into the lion's den, a sure sentence of death.  You may remember how the whole thing turns out or you may not know, but you can hear the "rest of the story" if you watch the live-stream and it is worth your time to learn that you may be doing everything right, but God has a plan for the greater good.  His plans may involve some suffering on your part, but He has promised to be with you wherever you go and whatever happens to you, if you remain faithful to Him and do what He wants you to do.  At the end of our service, we commissioned and prayed over those going on the youth mission trip to Guatemala.  We also recognized and thanked those involved in the Disaster Relief ministry that has been going on in our church since 2005 under the direction of Bro. Mike.  Please remember to pray for good weather for the Sports Camp that is happening starting tonight through Wednesday night so that we can share the love and good news of Jesus with kids and their families.......