Trivia:
Well the Shoofly Pie was originated in the state of Pennsylvania and was usually eaten for breakfast with the intention of holding the person over till noontime.
Here's another person found in Wild West history. What was Wyatt Earp's profession in the Wild West? Law man; Outlaw; Saloon owner; or Cowboy? Make your guess.
Challenge:
Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the water surge!"
Has there ever been a time when the storms of life seem to surround you? As you look at them they seem as though they are impossible to overcome?
Here in this first stanza of the Psalm the writer begins by celebrating the protection that God offers against natural disasters. He reminds us that no matter how intense of a force that the earth casts upon us, whether through earthquakes, or the mountains crumbling, or even the greatest force that the ocean throws upon us. Still "We we will not fear," Why? Because, "God is our refuge and strength".
Though we live in a culture that is many time governed by fear, whether by land, sea, mountain or ocean, still God hasn't given us the spirit of fear.
Listen to the words that Paul spoke to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power. love, and self-discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. ... 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this because that was His plan from before the beginning of time-to show (demonstrate) His grace through Christ Jesus." ... 12 ... For I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return. 13 Hold on."
I will never forget that day, I was memorizing this Psalm for my college entrance exam, mom was helping me review this passage. Now, Race forward many years, my mother was deathly ill with ALS she was unable to talk anymore. That morning in my devotions I read this Psalm.
After reading it, I was moved by the Spirit to read this to mother. As I was holding her and thanking her for her influence in my life, For they had read this Psalm together with me on the phone as I shared the fears that I faced. I as a single young 20 year old man while living thousands of miles away, and facing the challenges of living in LA and Oakland, etc. and the many challenges of planning and running 5 different youth activities in different cities.
So, that day as I was preparing to fly back to Fresno to my family, I read this Psalm to her. She pushed her body against me with all of her might, as if to say, Yes, Yes, Yes, "God is our only refuge". Some months later dad called to tell me that mom had calmly passed into eternity.
So as I read this Psalm again I know that mom and dad are calling out to us from heavens shores, telling us "God is our refuge and strength", ... So do not fear ...
SO GO WITH GOD my child, for He is worthy of our confidence being placed in Him. He will carry you through whatever trial you are facing this very morning. "He is your refuge and strength" ... "Do not fear". He will help us stand the tests of life. Martin Luther wrote the words of the song, "A mighty fortress is our God" after reading this Psalm. HE IS YOUR FORTRESS TODAY, stand with Him, He will carry you through, we'll see!
Law man