Pastor's Corner
A message from Pastor Andy Ross...

Past Devotionals

What Kind of List Are You Making? - August 5, 2005

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Dear friends,

The author, Daniel Defoe, gives us good advice through his fictional hero Robinson Crusoe. The first thing that Crusoe does after collecting himself on a deserted island is to make a list. On one side he began to write out all his problems. But then, on the other side, he began to note all of his blessings.

On one side, for example, he would write, "I do not have any clothes." And then on the other side he would note, "But it's warm and I don't really need any." On one side he would write, "All the provisions are lost." And then on the other side, he would observe, "But there's plenty of fresh fruit and water on the island."

On and on down the list he went. He began to see that for every negative circumstance, there was a positive counterpart ... if he was looking!

We moderns are good at lists, aren't we? We have them on our computers, on our PDAs, or on that simple sheet of paper next to us. There we write our "To-Do's", our appointments, and other items.

But - are we keeping a list of the "other side" ... at least in our minds and hearts?

"... give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

God's blessings to you this day!

Andy Ross
Pastor