Devotions with Pastor Bill Ritchey

When I was in elementary school, I remember being terribly frightened by an image in a preview at our local theater. I couldn’t go to sleep without the lights on for days. Old movies on TV like the original Frankenstein had a similar effect on me, but I was hooked. A combination of fear and wonder drove me to watch more and more. A form of tolerance built over time and it took stronger and scarier images to provide the same feelings. They didn’t keep me awake at night anymore, but sometimes I would dream about them.

Our GOD is bigger than the boogie man! Some of you may remember this line from a Veggie Tales video. The main idea was to help children understand that monsters on videos, tv and movies are made up, actors in costumes. The song also helped communicate the greatness of the one true GOD.

The times we are in now seem to be pretty scary for a lot of people. I think contemplating the greatness of our GOD and the wonders of His creation is needed. As GOD said to His people in Isaiah 41:10
“ fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
I believe we will all do better if we focus more on our Creator and Sustainer than on the system of this world.

Shalom,
Pastor Bill