9.25

A couple weeks back, just as I sat down to watch the NFL season opener, I got a text. My neighbor was wondering if I could give him some consult on some work he was doing in his garage. I'm no "do it yourself" expert, but I am a couple steps ahead of my neighbor. The timing was uncanny. Just as I was set to relax, someone asked me for help. So uncanny, that I immediately sensed God's humor.

Within a couple minutes, I was in his garage. I made a few recommendations. Offered an electrician contact. Before leaving, I told him that once the electrical work was done, I'd be happy to help him drywall. I'd had one prior drywall experience, but as I've indicated, it was one more than my neighbor had.

Two weeks later, I've been over to the neighbors on three separate occasions to drywall. It's been a good way to build our relationship further. And serve God as I serve him.

9.3

Fear is the disease of humanity. It is what rushed in with that first bite. It's what continues to drive up the body count. Death resides in us all and the smell of it is the fear. Christ came to take away the power of death. The wrath of God. If God has acquitted us, what court will prosecute us. That's Paul's argument.

One day, I will be free of this disease that eats away at me. The Spirit of Christ in me assures me of this hope. Until that day, Lord please give me the strength to overcome the temptation to succumb to this power. Give me the strength to live as a free man. Unafraid.

If this is true ... oh, man. Right? If this is true, it is good news indeed. How can we keep this to ourselves and in the end, look at him and tell him we believed it all along?