Is there a Short Cut?

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

As Jesus said to Martha, the brother of Lazarus, "Do you believe this?" Believers will never die. A great God given peace comes to those who can grasp the truth of this scripture, a great peace!

I know that the world is filled with tragedies. Monday's news of the Las Vegas shootings being another example of how fragile and unpredictable this life can be. Our physical existence in this physical world, as beautiful as it can be, is also a world of pain and suffering. Jesus is the answer. That is the short and long answer.

A true story about Short Cuts

Definition of a short cut: An accelerated way of doing or achieving something.

Recently Bonni and I were in in Maine where I visited an art gallery. I love looking at oil paintings of local artists. I was talking with the owner of this particular gallery who also had some of his own work on display. I asked him how he learned how to paint so well, and if he studied art. His answer was wonderful. He said he was a retired physicist and that he always wanted to learn how to paint but he knew he didn't have the time to spend years learning all the various techniques of oil painting so he began taking lessons directly from accomplished artists that he admired. He said this saved him years of trial and error as he learned the craft. In other words, he didn't spend years in a classroom talking about theory and technique, instead he watched and learned directly from established artists who he said greatly shortened the learning curve.

The point 

Be a short cutter when it comes to walking with Jesus. Go directly to His word (the Bible) and directly to Him (prayer) and learn from the master Himself. That is the fastest way to know what God want's for your life, and the fastest way to know His voice and His direction. Pastors and churches can be part of that plan, but the shortcut is to go direct to the source! The source wants to speak directly to you.

Our Prayer List

Cathy Watson Praises for good days, continued healing from cancer!

Emily Norris, continued healing and God's direction and peace!
Linda Cassens continued prayers for healing!

Stan Rutkowski continues to battle pressure wounds.

Brad Fultz,  cont. healing and God's direction and peace!
Jeff Wiles for back pain!
Cynthia Bastholm heart failure and other complications, God's peace!
Jack Butler, praises for feeling better, continued healing prayers!
Mary Knapp praises for good days and continued healing!
Mike Rodgers, continued healing from latest back surgery!
Gaye Kell, Krista's mom praises for good surgery results and cont, healing!
African Vision of Hope, God's blessing to open hearts for continued support and direction!
PCF and IUMC, God's direction and wisdom as we continue our relationship!

See you soon! Love, pastor kent