Our Biggest Fears
What are you really afraid of?

Most people are afraid of something. There are, however, those who will tell you they are afraid of nothing. Here are some of the most common fears of people in general:

• Public Speaking;
• Heights;
• Snakes;
• Spiders;
• Needles;
• Flying;
• Enclosed Space;
• Darkness;
• Failure.

From the above list, I believe I am afraid of at least four of them. Snake make me extremely weak in the knees, except when I am running from them. Heights make me squeamish in the stomach. Enclosed space makes me want to go ballistic. And failure just makes me feel useless.

The thing about fears is that they cause physical and emotional symptoms. Fears can make your stomach, head, back, legs, etc. hurt. It can also paralyze you emotionally so you can’t think, feel, or respond. What are you afraid of?

I often wonder what we are afraid of spiritually. Are we afraid of how big God really is? Are we afraid of how different we might become if we really let Jesus into our hearts? Are we afraid that we might actually have to do something if God is in control? Are we afraid of the intimacy in relationships that are part of the communal faith? Are we afraid of the unknown of allowing only God’s will to be done?

Paul tells us in II Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.” God wants us to be bold in our approach to him, to life, and to sharing the Gospel. If God is for us, who can be against us? We have to secret to rid ourselves of fear. That secret is really no secret at all. It is simply a relationship with God through his son Jesus.

My prayer is that we all ask for boldness in our lives for Christ. We need it today more than ever. Ask God to help you.


All things for Christ,

Michael W. Ross

What do we do with this?

I heard some statistics about Charleston, WV and the surrounding area this week that really bothered me. I am not sure what to do with them.

> There are 22 active gangs in and around the Charleston, WV area;
> Last year, Sissonville, WV was the 3rd largest meth producing community in terms of total volume (not related to per capita);
>Every day there is a student victim of a random, intentional act of violence;
>There are 3 schools that operate under “lockdown”.

I believe the soundest advice for raising children is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. This was given to the people of Israel as a way to be obedient to God for the long haul.

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

What if we did this today? Would the world be any different? Would parents parent differently? Would children behave and obey differently? Would there be less violence, gangs, and substance abuse among our children?

I am reminded of a poem that always hung on the wall of my house while I was growing up. I try to remember it as I am raising my own children.

Children Learn What They Live

By Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with criticism,

They learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility,

They learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule,

They learn to be shy.

If children live with shame,

They learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement,

They learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance,

They learn to be patient.

If children live with praise,

They learn to appreciate.

If children live with acceptance,

They learn to love.

If children live with approval,

They learn to like themselves.

If children live with honesty,

They learn truthfulness.

If children live with security,

They learn to have faith in themselves and others.

If children live with friendliness,

They learn the world is a nice place in which to live.