Fog, can it be a good thing?

Fog is a weird thing to me because here in Arizona we don't see it all that often and when it does come people flip out. After seeing the fog one morning after like a week of rain I started to think that people always seem to persevere fog as a bad thing. But i don't think that it always has to be a bad thing sometimes it can be a good thing because it blocks everything out, which could be a good thing because it gives you time to be alone and you don't see distractions around you (I don't recommend this while driving, it seems dangerous). But after driving for a couple miles to school me and a couple of my friends were stopped and the intersection of Sossaman and University and we noticed that the fog just just stopped. It didn't gradually dissipate but rather just stopped right there!

That day in class I couldn't stop thinking about how that foggy day can represent our lives after God does something huge in our lives. Like after a Youth Camp, Convention, or even a Wednesday night service the fog is blocking out all of the distractions and we are on fire for him and nothing else can get in the way. What really got to me and made me sad about this is that the fog did in fact dissipated into nothing so fast and I'm afraid that this may have happened or is happening to many people. I know that this is how it was for me for many years but I made a promise to myself that I needed to quit playing games with God but instead be real with him and not let the fog dissipate into nothing, but in fact make the fog thicker and thicker after every moment that you spend with him. Also remember that fog may be rare in Arizona but the "fog" that God provides will never be rare.

-Nate Fellman

Seeking Refuge

This Sunday in Life Groups when we talked about seeking refuge and security in God it really hit home with me because at a very young age I learned that seeking refuge and security in the world wont help you through hard time but in fact drag you down more. As defined on dictionary.com refuge means: something or someone turned to for assistance or security. For some people this is money, drugs, or possessions but for me it was just being with friends. Friends are great for helping you through hard times but they can’t fill that hole like God can.

God became my refuge and strength through a very hard time in my family’s life and mine. At the age of 7 my mom passed away and it was a very emotional time for all of us. For a very long time I didn’t know why my mom was taken from me and even at times I became mad at God for taking her. During these times I didn’t turn to God for strength but I bottled it all up inside until one year when I was at an alter at kids camp. I was praying and getting ready to leave because I thought I was done but God wasn’t done with me. An older guy came up to me and said that he felt that God wanted him to come pray for me and at that moment I felt a great relief like this heavy burden had been lifted off of me and then I broke down crying more than I have ever cried before. After praying for a while longer I told him what had happened in my family and he shared a similar story of what had happened to him. He then continued to tell me that what really helped him is when he let down his pride and began to seek refuge in God. Since that night at the alter I have continued to seek refuge and security in God and it has made dealing with problems much easier.

Psalm 46:1- God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

-Nate Fellman