I've noticed several things happening in twos this week. For example, Gustav hit the same week Katrina hit several years ago. Because of the utter chaos that took place after Katrina, the local community & nation made lots of changes and efforts in case another storm hit. So when Gustav showed signs of trouble, people were evacuated. FEMA was ready. Crews were in place. First responders were ready to go. When Gustav hit, Louisiana was ready and even though great difficulty came, affliction did not rise up a second time. What Katrinas have you faced? What difficult situations have you encountered? Did those difficulties prompt you to make changes in your life, your marriage, your diet, or your lifestyle? Did you cry for a week, and then do nothing, hoping that nothing would happen to you? Whatever situations we have faced, let them serve as warnings to us. Let us use them as an opportunity to put things in order.

Along those same lines, I have also been pondering over how a little sin can cause a world of problems down the road. One little conscious mistake. One thing we avoid. One thing we intentionally overlook. One law we break. The more I spend time helping people deal with difficulty, the more I appreciate the truth and necessity of the scripture in Hebrews: throw away everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles. Sin is sin. Everthing wrong, is wrong. Anything God says not to do shouldn't be done. Make a conscious effort to do away with little sins. Don't let God's patience, grace and mercy in the midst of it convince you that it is okay. Don't let the permissiveness of our society make you callous to sin.

This weekend promises to be a powerful time at HOW as we are blessed by Rev. Yemi Adefarasin and challenged to take our prayer to a new level. See you on Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 1030am. And remember our expansion project! Make every effort to donate regularly in person at House of Worship, or online on our website. Bring your friends and family to our upcoming fundraisers: Sponsored Walk on Saturday October 25th, and our Concert & Silent Auction on Saturday November 8th at 5pm.

Most importantly, be committed to PERSONAL EXPANSION. There are 4 more months before 2008 ends. At the end of this year, may your life be better than it was in January!