I spend a lot of time commuting to and from work. For years all I did was complain about the time. With the advent of MP3 players, however, my commute time has been reclaimed! I now sport a cell phone that can hold hundreds of MP3’s that I use to fill my mind with truth and encouragement as I drive. More often than not, you’ll catch me on the road listening to some pastor’s sermon…

Recently, I’ve been listening to MP3’s from Pastor Matt Chandler of The Village Church near Dallas. I have found them to be both helpful and encouraging. Very recently–Thanksgiving time–Pastor Matt was diagnosed with brain cancer. He’s 35, has a wife and three really small kiddos. Here is the location of the 4.5-minute video message he recorded for his congregation prior to surgery:

http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=363

After watching the video, I went back and re-read Hebrews 11. I believe the words there are an encouragement to us as we face trials of every kind. Some, by faith, were able to shut the mouths of lions and quench fire. Others endured suffering–sometimes to their deaths. In either case, the scripture says that the world was not worthy of them. Pastor Matt’s spin on this is that suffering means that God has counted us worthy. I buy that. I pray that someone will remind me of that when I’m in the middle of some trial that has me on my back. I also buy into the notion that even though we love our families God cares more about us and our families than we do. This translates into us being called to follow God’s revealed will (to not lie, to be honest in business–using proper scales and so on…) regardless of the consequences.

I hope that you find this encouraging. I know that I did. I also hope that I will have the courage to live according to the words I have written when the time comes.