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Just Click on the Link…

By February 27, 2013August 30th, 2022Devotional

Have you ever heard the phrase, “The more things change…?” Well, I’m here to tell you that yesterday, unbeknownst to me, there were changes that happened when our website was updated. This caused last night’s post to come through to our readers in a different format than it has in the past. Of course, we all get in rhythms in our lives and it can be difficult to embrace change. I don’t know about you, but I will tell you that I don’t deal with change very well. When I get a notice that the newspaper is going to change a format, or eliminate something that I am used to, I get kind of amped up. The first thing I worry about is how difficult it will be in the future to change the way I have done things in the past. I wonder if you are asking that question today…

I must say that in the beginning, more than two years ago already, we made the decision to include the entire post in your inbox each morning. We thought this would be be easier for people to just open and read each morning. By going this direction, which is not the normal way to do things, we believed that the pluses outweighed the minuses; but we gave up quite a bit of functionality in the process. For example, we can’t include pictures in the posts – and fewer people visit the website so comments that could be made will probably never see the light of day.

And I know, even for me, that I refer to the post several times each day so I like having the entire thing on my iPhone. Other readers we have enjoy not having to go and download or print the post from our website. Since much of our readership is older and may not be overly familiar with technology, we have stuck with that format the last two years.

Finally, several days ago, it became necessary to go through the painful process of updating the software and security measures. This task was completed yesterday and resulted in the change of format you saw this morning. Now, for the moment, you will only find the first 5 lines or so and then you will be directed to get the latest post by clicking on the displayed link. Believe me, I dont’ particularly care for the format. So we are going to discuss this on Friday and will have an answer early next week on what we are going to do. This is one of those times when it is appropriate to say that “it takes a village.” To show you how out of the loop I am, it is entirely possible the this message may show up in your inbox Thursday morning. I really don’t know! So please hang in there for several days until it is all sorted out.

As simple as this all may appear, it really is a labor of love and behind the scenes there are many folks who have helped make TBTB a success. And those minds will be helpful in determining the best way to get God’s word to you each day. But come to think of it, that’s exactly what I wanted to write about this evening. Because we, as humans, sometimes get caught up in the familiar and do things the same way we have always done things. We have committees of people who help us make the right choices and we receive input from everywhere so we lessen the chance of offending people.

I am really guilty of this because I don’t know the technology very well. But one thing is for sure. And that is that you don’t have to jump through hoops to get God’s message from God Himself. That’s right. No websites, or email, or clicking on blue links imbedded in notices. Nope… Just pray, and you don’t even have to use words. Thoughts will do just fine. God will hear every word very well; I can assure you of that. I do have to share that I am a little anxious about this whole issue of getting our message to you. So tonight’s verse is the most natural one to share with you; and the one that I need myself.

From Phil. 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This is the word that I need to hear this evening. Just let go and let God take over. My encouragement this evening is that you and I have a direct pipeline to God. No interference, no dropped calls, no broken internet connections. Just your lips to God’s ears… My prayer is that you will relax and just let the God of all creation wash over you and embrace you and love you. So I’m going to take my own advice and just not worry about whether you have to click on a link in the morning. One way or another we will sort it out and you will get the message of God. In the meantime, have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

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