Thursday, October 23, 2008

"Will The Real You Stand Up?"

We live in a society that functions on masks and untruths. Photos are being air brushed to make the person look better and videos are being edited to look different then they really are suppose to look. Unfortunately that has spilled over into our personal lives where we are frightened to show our true self to others...and that is very sad!

Now I realize there are times when you can not express your real opinion to a person because you may hurt them or it may lead to an all out fight. That is not what I am talking about...I am talking about being open and honest in your relationships so that the person will be operating off of reality and not untrue assumptions.

Of course you realize that there is one person you can not hide your true feelings from and that is Jesus Christ. He knows what is in your heart and mind whether you say it out loud or not. He is aware when you are not becoming whom you are meant to become, because you are afraid you may not please your family or spouse. Jesus came to earth not only to give us eternal life, but to help us become whom God meant us to become. If we don't turn to Christ and let Him help us out on our life/faith journey then we will lose out on the greatest gift God can give us. Again that gift is to become what God has planned for us to become.

So this week when you struggle with being your "true self" ask Jesus Christ to help you out. It will not only be a blessing in your life you will feel a weight lifted off of your shoulders and your soul.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

"Random Thoughts"

This past couple of months have been filled with some wonderful events in not only the life of Speed Memorial Church but in the life of the Donahue household. One of the greatest events took place on Saturday, Sept. 27th, in Laramie, WY, at the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) vs University of Wyoming football game.

In October of 2007 Kari's (my wife) mother was on a ventilator and expected to die from complications from two massive strokes. In fact Kari flew out to Nebraska to be with her mom, expecting to say her "good-byes" to her. But God does work in miraculous ways and on Sept. 27 Kari's mom was sitting in the stands at the football game to watch our son, her grandson, play for BGSU. It was definitely a celebration since not only was Kari's mom and dad at the game 15 of her other relatives were also in attendance.

I have also enjoyed so much coaching football at Silver Creek High School in their inaugural year of football. Silver Creek High School has not had football since 1944 due so many of the young men taking part in World War II. As assistant coach (offensive and defensive line), I have had the opportunity to witness how football has become a positive force in the lives of so many of the players. I continue to have some of the players come to Sunday morning worship services at Speed Memorial and this past week one of the players asked to join the church!

One of my other joys has been watching our youngest son participate in the Silver Creek High School marching band. The Silver Creek High School Marching Band competes every weekend and last weekend they received their highest score and a gold. I am also very proud of him for his musical talent (both instrumental and vocal) and his unbelievable artistic abilities.

Another great event at the church has been the Women's Christian Fellowship's Yard Sale. It is amazing the amount of items that are donated to the church for this sale that is held in our Fellowship Hall. Fellowship Hall is as large as a basketball court and it is completely filled with items. The women's hard work paid off as they where able to being in over $3,400.00 in sales.

All I can say is...."Isn't God Great!"


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