Casper The Friendly Ghohst

we were utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired by life itself. 2Cor. 1:8,9

Ever notice how God works? How specific and perfect is His timing? I often have people fade in then out of my life. These are people sent by Christ to give me an encouraging word or point me to the cross. Our brief encounters last only for a moment but rest assured those times were pre-arranged by Christ.

These are people sent to light up our life or carry us to the next plateau in our spiritual journey. Like the surf that stalks the shore they have left their mark in our lives.

They carry the mark of enthusiasm and the voice of the creator. They are a cheerleader for everything that we reach for and every dream that lives deep inside.

Like Casper the friendly ghohst they seem to appear out of no where and quickly fade away. But because of their beacon they ignite our passion that once laid dormant. The gift of encouragement has many faces and they display them all.

Feeling weary and stripped of our passion is normal for ministry. Paul addressed it when he wrote ,We do not want you to be ignorant of the affliction we experienced in Asia; so we were utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. We felt like we had received the sentence of death.2 Cor. 1:8,9

R.C.H. Lenski refers to this affliction as a sense of pressure so intense " that we become weighted down exceedingly beyond ability that we get to despair even of living on." ( Lenski, Interpretation Pg. 826)

Our Father knows when to send the Calvary. He guides our every step. In those brief encounters with those that have the gift of encouragement make time for them as they will ignite our passion and set our heart towards Heaven.

I knew from the very first moment I met you
that I could trust you.
I knew I could trust you
with my thoughts and feelings.
I knew I could trust you
with my hopes and dreams.

I knew that you would hold my hand
if I was to stumble and fall.
I knew that you would pick me up
and carry me
until I could stand tall.

I knew all this
from the very beginning.

Now, I stand in awe of our miraculous maker
who with His perfect plan
worked it out
so your life
could touch mine.

I know
I will never forget
the gift of your friendship
and
the need
of your loving touch
in my life.

Brad McGill
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