Here I am awake. At 12:30 am upon the first day of my new job and I can't sleep. So the best thing I can do is pray, open Gods word a bit and type. What's going on around me? Why are all these things occurring? How did it all spin out of control? As I watch, read or talk about current news my world seems more like THE WALKING DEAD, than it does LEAVE IT TO BEAVER. It's not that I want to go back to the past, but I sure as heck am not thrilled about the future.  I'm being real here, I'm not me ncing words here. I am being intentional. No this isn't another political rant, but Lord knows I'm not short on those......so here is what I want to say.

In the midst of people being slaughtered for their faith, in the midst of turmoil and corruption which has become the common denominator in our world there is one thing that has never changed. That thing is God. I'm not being trite, religious or pious, I'm being real here. I want to share briefly about a young man that God recently saved and is still saving. Jake Blackmon one of my students at second baptist school in Houston, Texas was in vacation with a friend recently. Jake went swimming in Lake Tahoe and the worst thing happened he started to drown. All the while God had orchestrated a symphony of Gods people who would rescue Jake, Rob, and the entirety of those effected that day. If I recall the events as told to me Jake had sunk to the bottom of the lake, an ER nurse (who happens to be a believer) rescued him from the depths. Droves of people helped as the Worshams and some friends clung to the Hope of the Cross. All the while God was moving in and through the crowd. I wasn't there personally but have followed this closely. James parents LeNay and Keith were told that they would keep Jake Alive long enough for them to say goodbye, and his friend Rob who was also treated for hypothermia that he needed to say bye to his friend. Immediately the calls for prayer went out, and a faithful group of believers cried out. The Doctors told the Blackmons best case scenerio was that chair would walk out of the doors 3 to 4 weeks after...well....he has and did, but in 2 weeks time. Wow!! Simply wow.
I was humbled shortly after this horrific news that I recieved a text from Rob Worsham asking if I would join in a prayer rally for Jake and his family. So I did, and wow was God on display that afternoon. Kids poured out their heart to God, told God they were fully relying on him. Many of these kids were students of mine and are now in college. Man was I proud of them, I was taken back and reminded of something's with these events having transpired.
See my world should be shaped by my relationship with God, not the news, not social media, not even what others think or say. And I get caught up in that world to Damn much (excuse the language) it's just for me the Thorne in my flesh. Being a carnal man, living a life of Christian example is hard. Now I know in light of all that the Middle East is encountering I don't pretend to have massive struggles like my brothers, sisters and fellow humans are experiencing overthere. But I do I fact have problems. Most of which stem from three sources: Me, Myself, and I. My problem many times is me, it's me who doesn't listen to God, it's me who doesn't follow him, it's me who isn't the best example as a dad or husband or friend. It's not my "issues", it's not "those people", it's not "greed" , it's not"wealth", it's not necessarily the devil. It's ME. So where am I going with all this. I'm not sure but I'll try to tie this all together and hopefully my friend Matt Edquidt won't slay my narrative as "all over the map"....take it easy matt.
Bottom line God has never changed, God is always perfect, He is always able, Ns he is always working. I have changed, I have gone through valleys, fear, depression, doubt, a get, disgust, angst, loneliness, elation, joy, trials and temptations. This is my life, but no matter what my "lot" is God never changes. I was reminded of this when we visited a church with some friends. One life, thanks be to God we have Godly friends who steer us in the right direction.  So in closing: when life has you pinned, when your strength is zapped, when you have now marrow from which to bring life into your bones remember God never changes. I pray that through Jake, and his story as well the healing of Karen Jackson and others dealing with tough situations that when God flexs that we watch in awe and are never. Ever so callous as to not be in awe of God, Hos strength, His presence and His promise.
To God be the Glory....Amen!!!!

I am writing this in the middle of a day, a day where I have so many things going on around me. A day where I can look to the fact that God has blessed me with an amazing wife, a beautiful son, and an amazing daughter. This doesn't mean that my entire network of friends and family are not part of that blessing, just that there are to many to name. On this day I have a friend, whom I used to work with going through an intense battle with Ovarian Cancer, and is staring down the possibility of leaving her toddler son and husband as a result of her illness. The stark reality that plagues them is one that I have experienced, but not as close as they are. (NOTE: The faith of my friend is a story of courage I know that she can only have because the strength God has given her.) On this day I am looking back on my life and am so thankful for where God has allowed me to be in-spite of myself, my selfishness, and my indiscretions of a Holy, and All Powerful God. On this day I wrestle with life and the possibilites before me, the future that I see and the events that I am hoping come to fruition. On this day I see a world around me that is yearning for it's creator, the upheaval and unrest are almost sickening to my stomach. On this day people are so willing to fight for "Social-Justice", for their "Political ideals", for their "lifestyle", that they are often willing to knock down anyone who stands in the way of their passions. On this day I struggle with being the person God has called me to be.
A close friend recently stated on Facebook this status, "If Christians were as concerned about the Kingdom of God, as they were of Earthly kingdoms, the world would be a different place."
 WOW, Holy Crap!!!!
 I just called called out without being called out. See on this day I feel like I am waking up, not to becoming inactive in this world in any way, shape, or form, but becoming involved in a way that attracts those around me to HIM. I know that in my own political wonderings I can lead people away, frustrate them, be overly gregarious, and all the while not thinking anything of it. I recently shut down my facebook page, and I hope it is for a looong time. I just saw myself getting caught up, willing to say what I thought without regard to other peoples feelings. One this day I struggle to allow God to live through me 24/7. On this day I see how who I am really has an affect on those around me and who they become, especially my Children. On this day I wonder how much of my life has been a benefit, a praise to God, and on the other hand a waste, and a total slap in the face to God. On this day missionaries and people all over the globe are sacrificing their lives of luxury to attack this world plagued with sin, to grow the Kingdom. On this day I ask myself what I am doing to help them.

I could continue for another 100 pages and trust me that would bore even me. So let me wrap up my point ON THIS DAY....
On this day - God made it, and I will rejoice and be glad in it.
On this day - God is healing those who are sick, consoling those who have lost someone, and is a father to the fatherless.
On this day - The enemy is no more powerful than that which God allows him to be.
On this day - God's will and plan for our lives still goes on in-spite of who we are.
On this day - God's creation is still as lovely to him as the day he created it.
On this day - We can choose to live for God or against God.
On this day - I will press on, focused on the prize, and run the race...with endurance and strength.
On this day - I will mark as my banner, my battle cry to cary the cause of Christ to everyone I come in contact with.
On this day - I am thankful for where I have been, sorry for where I have failed God, and am reassured of His presence every time I take a breath.

Thank you God I love you more than you will ever.....errrr....you know...you are God. AMEN
B.E. Chancey