Though it changes frequently, David’s favorite movie right now is The Lion King. That’s the one that features the song “Hakuna Matata,” which the lyrics translate “means no worries for the rest of your days.” No worries. Wouldn’t that be nice? But we live in what is commonly called the Age of Anxiety, where “no worries” seems like an impossibility.

How? Did you say, “how?”

The account of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness were not recorded for our entertainment or debate propositions. They are meant to reveal the schemes of the devil, the tactics that he employed to attempt to seduce the Son of Man. They are the same ones that are still at work in his enticement of all the sons of men. In whatever means he is using to tempt you, be sure and check the price tag.

Even though I think I’m still young, I’m constantly reminded that’s not the case anymore. Teenagers call me “sir”. I don’t have near the energy or stamina I used to have. Roller coasters don’t like me anymore. I have 3 kids. But I still remember what it was like to be young, and looking back on my youth, I can see how my perspective on many things has changed dramatically, and I wish I had known then what I know now. Allow me to share some things that I wish I had known or realized at that age that are extremely important for every young person.

Jesus summed up the purpose of His whole life when He said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He spoke those words after James and John had requested to sit in positions of authority, on His right and on His left, in His coming kingdom. Jesus’ response was to remind them that the greatest of all is the servant of all.

The new two year plan is all about you. Sure, it’s about the Elders, the Deacons, the Preachers. Sure, it’s about the parents and the children, about prospects and potentials. But in the final analysis, the new two year plan is about you. You are the one who has to make it work. You are the one to make it work in your own life, you are the one to make it work in the lives of others.

Consider carefully the different phases of the program and how you relate to it.

Too often, I have heard people complain that the church they attend just isn’t growing, or there are not enough people their kids’ age, or the people just don’t get together and do things like they’d like to. Unfortunately, most of the time, these same people aren’t willing to do what it takes to help bring about positive change, so they just move to another congregation nearby. That’s not the correct solution to the problem, and so the question begs to be asked: How can I help the church to grow?

Norma Jean Lowe’s funeral was last Thursday. It was a hard one. It was not difficult to celebrate her life, because she led a life worth celebrating. It was easy to honor her memory because she left behind a memory that is honorable. The hard part came with saying, “goodbye, for now” to someone who has been so special to so many.

Fear knows no boundaries. No matter who you are, how strong you are, or how reputed, there is something or someone you fear. Fear is part of the human psyche, part of what makes man what he is.

Fear takes different directions. It ranges from abject fright to total respect, and it has a part in all of man’s activities. When we’re small we fear lots of things. We don’t like the dark. We don’t like strange sounds in the night. We’re afraid of some people who are bigger or more powerful than we are. We have lots of fears when we’re little.

We have several young people who are soon going away to college. Some have been home for the summer and are about to return for a new semester. We love you all and we’re very proud of you. We miss you when you’re gone.