“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” Philippians 4:13 is a great reminder for you and I that we don’t have to “go it alone!” Sometimes, I can have a tendency to share only my victories and praise reports, and hide my struggles and weaknesses.  You see, it is so important to me that I be accepted and liked, that if I am not careful I will present a glossy, airbrushed version of myself, instead of being truly authentic.   I am continually challenged by the Holy Spirit to lower the veil, share the wounds and expose the shame.  I am convinced that one of the biggest tools the enemy uses to keep us in shackles is shame, which often results to isolation.    The Apostle Paul understood that through his weaknesses he was made strong in Christ. That His grace, (God’s grace) is sufficient for you and I!”( 2nd Corinthians 12:9) Paul didn’t allow shame to take root…instead he actually “boasted” about his weaknesses, as to expose them and rely all the more on Christ to deliver him…which is where his victory came from.  Tonight during these Quiet Moments, no matter what you are going through, remember you are not alone, call out to Jesus.  You may have experienced a horrible setback or suffered a catastrophic loss…remember, you are not alone.  Maybe you find yourself living out of harmony with God’s will for your life…like I was for years and years… as a result, you feel lost, alone, in the dark and in the pits, tonight you can be set free!  Christ came to pay our penalty and liberate us from the shackles of sin and death and now we can experience the Good Life… a life in Him!  Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young

If life is a journey…which I believe we can all agree that it is…where are you in that journey tonight?  What scenery do you gaze upon out your window?  As a well-traveled soul,  I can say most certainly I would much rather be looking out at the Pacific Ocean traveling down Highway 1 in California than the Ohio Turnpike this time of year… for obvious reasons.  The question for us tonight is how we find joy in the journey, even if the scenery isn’t exactly “glorious?”  Perhaps there are some tonight that have sunk to an all new low and find themselves uninspired and even lost on their journey.  Maybe you wandered off the road and found yourself in a dead-end slum.  Believe me, this life will take us down roads that have hills, and valleys, turns, and dips, sometimes we might feel lost and in the middle of nowhere!  Friends, we can find joy in the midst of any journey even if the scenery is barren, flat and bleak.  Actually,  I believe if the scenery is too nice we can get distracted and not stay the course, if it is too barren we might get discouraged and lose heart…what is the answer?  To keep our eyes fixed ahead…we are not on the road to nowhere, we are living each day fixed on the prize, not looking back, not second guessing, but following our Heavenly Father down the straight and narrow road, to the pearly gates, our destination!  Matthew 7: 14 "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it"  No matter where you are on that journey tonight, don’t lose heart, you are not alone!   If you find yourself in a bad relationship, or addicted to alcohol or drugs, it’s not too late!  Don’t look out your window for hope, call on Jesus Christ! He will get you back on the pathway, out of the slums of life and back to a safe place. Call on the name of Jesus Christ and he will recalibrate your GPS to get you back on track. Thanks for letting me share.  Randy Young

Have you ever opened your eyes first thing in the morning and had something made perfectly clear to you in your mind?  An answer to a question you might have gone to bed with the night before... now settled, or a perfect solution to a complex concern? It’s an interesting thing, it gives me pause and also reminds me how willing our Heavenly Father is to guide us, and provide us with wisdom and solutions for our life,  that we so desperately need.   The only caveat, is that I need to be able to hear Him.  Did you catch that?  We have to HEAR Him! Think about it, is it a coincidence that we hear from our Heavenly Father when we are quieted down, nestled in bed, resting?  I don’t think so;   it is because we have turned down everything that distracts us and competes for our attention.  The truth is that sometimes when I am asleep I hear Him better than when I am awake!  Moreover,  I have come to realize that our Heavenly Father is so respectful and won't scream, yell or demand my attention. I think the greatest gift He has ever given us besides His own Son, is the freedom of choice.  Tonight, let’s make the right choice to quiet ourselves down, open our hearts and ears and seek his guidance for our self, our family, and our nation.  Thanks for letting me share.  Randy Young.

Who do you look up to?  Did you have a hero as a child? A famous person you aspired to be like?  I wanted to be a pro baseball player.   As I have gotten a bit older and have seen the work of my Lord and Savior in my own life,  I am wanting nothing more than to be like Jesus…Jesus is my role model and hero.  Why? Let me tell you why!  Jesus is kind, compassionate, just, strong, powerful, persuasive, present, understanding, self-controlled, direct, purposeful, measured, and vital.  Jesus is alive, tangible, authentic, transparent, tempered, creative, compelling, considerate, and constant. Jesus is accessible, intuitive, inspirational, caring, peaceful, honorable and joyous.  Jesus is organized, expressive, mindful, watching, intimate, generous, playful, detailed, and aware.  Jesus is truthful, driven, determined, selfless and oh so patient!  His love is unfailing and endures forever for you and me.  Help me to love you more Jesus!  Thanks for letting me share. Randy Young

Clear…. Zap!” Have you seen a paramedic rub the two leads together then place on the heart?  Defibrillation consists of delivering a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart with a device called a defibrillator. The heart needs this stimulation to restart and reset if the heart  has stopped or is beating out of rhythm.  This process is a matter of life and death and is very serious.  Tonight during these Quiet Moments, let’s take a closer look at each of our own heart’s condition to see if it is in the right rhythm with God .  I will admit here and now  my heart needs a good zapping from time to time!  If I am not careful I can become calloused and complacent with the monotony of my routines.  I can lose the passion, the fire, and get caught up in my own schedules, duties, etc.  Before long I find myself less concerned for others, less loving, more impatient and out of His peace.  What happened?  My heart is out of sync with my Heavenly Father’s rhythm!   Friends, we can’t fight this good fight, live a passionate, spirit filled life, being about our father’s business,  in our own strength.  I spent close to thirty years having a  faith in Christ, yet living out of rhythm with Him.  You see  for me... it was a “religion” not a personal “relationship.”  I accepted Jesus as my Savior, yet still filled my heart and mind with the lies of the world.  Imagine, there I was,  a so called “Christian” that was doing more harm to God’s kingdom than any non-believer.  Remember it is the Devil's plan to keep us shackled in darkness, to  keep us out of rhythm with God! John 10: 10 says, " The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: Jesus says.."I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly!"  What is an abundant life?  When we are alive! Filled up, fueled up, and fired up in Jesus name! He doesn’t want us lukewarm!  The Bible reminds us in Revelations 3 :15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  Lord Jesus,  ignite our hearts on fire for you!  Thank you for letting me share.  Randy Young