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^NIV 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul tells us that God’s power is perfect in our weakness.  No one wants to be weak but we all are.  My weakness is especially apparent than right now.  Every time I enter Larry’s room I wish I had some kind of power to heal him, yet I am completely helpless in myself.  The only strength I have available is found in God- outside of me.  There’s nothing Eddie can do.  I pray for that very reason.  I know Allyson must feel the same but with more emotion than I can imagine.  As I’ve watched Allyson Hatcher over these last three weeks I’m amazed at God’s strength in her weakness.  When you see her she is the biblical picture of love- patient, kind etc. I think if you asked Allyson or Lane or Len if they felt powerful today they’d say no.  Yet when I watch from outside I see the strength God has given them.  He is daily sustaining them. He is filling them with a daily bread power that is “enough” for that day. It’s just over three weeks since Larry was injured and everyday is a challenge for the family.  There are a myriad of emotions.  There are literally thousands of prayers being lifted to the Almighty God asking for Larry’s full recovery and return.  We pray because only He is able.  Only He has the power needed and we know that He will use his power in the way that is best.  God asked us over two weeks ago to have patience and perseverance.  Ironically we are too weak to do even that.  We must pray God will give us the strength to wait on Him and to endure.  Our hearts hurt for Larry and the family but do not forget that the power of God is present and it will sustain them.

Pastor Eddie

There’s not much that could be better than being a dad.  I can’t think of a day I had more joy than the day Emma Grace was born.  Every day since then I have watched as she is growing into a beautiful child of God.  I love to wake her in the morning and hold her before bed (mom usually gets to do that).  I love to just listen to her tell stories.  Most of all I love loving her.  I love making sure she knows no one in the world loves her like her dad.  Father’s Day is special because of Emma Grace and I can’t thank God enough for putting her in my life. There is so much I do that won’t matter but every second with Emma Grace is time well spent.  God has a very special plan for her and I just hope time passes slowly so I can enjoy every minute with her.

Emma Grace’ Dad Eddie

We looked at 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 on Sunday. Paul talks about His God whose character is to comfort us in all that we go through.  Paul praises his God who is with us in suffering.  When we get to the place where we feel like a ship overloaded with cargo destined to sink it is at that moment we are able to completely rely on God.  I must admit in my life it takes radical circumstances for me to totally depend on God.  If nothing else God has used Larry to show me how meager and passionless is my prayer life.  For Larry I have cried out and begged God.  I have woken up and sought His favor.  It has spurred me to be obedient knowing God doesn’t honor the prayers of men who come to him with double minds.  I am so very glad that the God I worship cares about my hearts hurts.  Philosophers speak of the problem of evil and to this we must respond that evil is a problem conquered in the cross and endured through the comfort that only God can provide.

Pastor Eddie  

^NIV 2 Corinthians 1:10-11

 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, ¹¹ as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

My friend Larry Hatcher was critically injured Thursday when he fell 22 feet off a roof he was working on, outside of Ashville, N.C.  Larry is a man of character.  He is an amazing husband, dad, grandfather and friend.  Right now he is in a coma and we are praying for him to wake and recover fully.  We are praying that until then God will give Allyson, Lane, Len and the rest of his family patience, perseverance and peace.  Our hope is in God alone.  Our trust is in God alone.  Are we greedy?  No, we know God is rich.  Why ask the All Powerful One for anything less?  Is there any reason that we should doubt Him or His ability?   We come to him as one of our members says “as beggars”.  We have nothing to offer Him and I am thankful that we don’t have a God who takes bribes.  Instead, we come to Him not manipulating, but as a child comes to a father.  We tell Him exactly what we desire knowing He is able to provide it, knowing He will respond in the manner that is best for us, because of His great love for us.  Amazingly what is best for us always gives Him the most glory.  So we ask our Father to heal Larry and get all the glory from his life that is possible.  We wait patiently now to see what our Father will do knowing He will be faithful.  Join me as I as ask our Abba Father to heal my friend Larry.