It must be an uneasy lifestyle to live in fear and not by faith.  While the Bible teaches us to fear God (Ecclesiastes. 1:13), sometimes a non-Godly fear creeps in.  This kind of fear is a reflection of our uncertainty and lack of faith.  Jesus asks, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith” (Mat. 8:26).  Oswald  Chambers suggests, “All our fears are wicked, and we fear because we will not nourish ourselves in our faith.”  This kind of non-Godly fear is evidenced when we continuously complain, when we worry, when we get down on God and/or ourselves, or when we limit ourselves and thus limit God’s opportunity to work through us.

Sometimes we need to stop worrying and complaining and simply trust in God and his guidance – be still and know that God is God (Psalm 46:10.  Faith is a different lifestyle from living in fear – it is a complete trust in God, a turning over of our lives to Him, a spiritual transformation.  With faith, we move our lives from our hands to Christ’s divine direction, and with that shift comes the blessing of overwhelming inner peace, trust, and optimism.  John 14:27).

When issues arise, proceed calmly, prayerfully, and confidently because God has a purpose for everything, everyone, and every event in our lives (II Timothy 1:9).  Often when things seem wrong, they are really growing opportunities and God working us in His direction, purpose, path, and plan.  Triumph, like disaster, can also be what the poet Rudyard Kipling calls “an impostor”.  But, when success comes along, faith will give us the humility to know that it is not us but God in us and through us, and it is He who deserves the glory, honor, and praise.

Rev. Art Alcausin Hall

Associate Minister

1. Speak to people.  Speak to everyone, especially to those whom you don't know.  There is nothing quite so nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people.  It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile.  Your smile is one of your finest assets.  Use it!  It doesn't count a thing!!
3. Call people by name.  The sweetest music to any person's ears is the sound of his or her own name.  If you don't know the person's name, introduce yourself and likely the person will respond with his or her name.
4. Be friendly and helpful.  If you want friends, learn to be a friend.  Everyone needs them.  On one has too many.
5. Be cordial.  Try to speak and act as if everything you do is a genuine pleasure.
6. Be genuinely interested in people.  Try to like everybody and everybody will like you.  Do not limit yourself to a few friends when there are so many likable people about you.
7. Be generous with praise.  And be just as sparing with criticism.
8. Be considerate of the feelings of others.  Usually, there are three sides to a controversy:  yours, the other person's, and the right one.  Try to see them all.
9. Be alert to give service.  What we do for other counts most n life. Try giving yourself away.  It's fun!
10. Develop a sense of humor.  To this good sense of humor, add generous dose of patience and a dash of humility.  Then get ready to receive many blessings. They're sure to come!