Covenant Community Services
What Can I Say? 
October 13, 2009 
Greetings!
My son, Zach, was home this weekend from college. It was great to see him, share time and catch up. This "kid away at school thing" is new for Kim and I so we are learning and growing through this life stage.
 
It seemed that Zach's visit home brought the fall weather. Finally, the seasons are changing. Seasons in life are like seasons of the year. Some are predictable and come like clockwork. However, in places like Bakersfield seasons can be confusing. We are often said to have two seasons - really hot and really cold! These past few days have been what we like to call our "fall".
 
Fall in Bakersfield can last somewhere between 1 and 21 days. Sure, the calendar states it is longer but we are in some otherworldly weather pattern that doesn't comply with calendars. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the cooler temperature and Zach's visit. 
 
During Zach's visit we held a family devotion. It was a wonderful moment to connect, seek God and pray. We studied the book of Romans and the truth of our salvation. As I shared with the kids and Kim there was one thing that kept hitting my heart ... thanks! Thanks God for what you have done. 
 
Sometimes Thanks is Enough!
 
1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.  2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 
 
~ Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 ~
Remember Who God is and What He has Done! 
 
God calls on us to come near to Him to hear His voice and not merely our cry. Too often we come, like the fool of Ecclesiastes, with a sacrifice of time or space but not of the heart. Solomon challenges us to come to God with nothing in mind but connecting with Him.
 
Solomon is encouraging us to be bare and vulnerable before God. Our many words, any sacrifice we offer in vain, or religious acts without heart, are distractions to seeing God and having a real encounter that transforms life. If we don't bring our best, which sometimes is silence, then what are we really doing?
 
While Zach was down this weekend I tried to spend as much time as possible with Him because I knew he was leaving. I wonder how God thinks of my prayer time? My worship? My ministry? The sad part is that I know He sees me like Zach - a child that will soon leave and go back to "his" life. So, I captured one moment. One moment that sparked the fire of God in my soul and that moment was communicated to God with one word ... "thanks".
 
Friend, this week recount and remember. Recount the many things God has done in and through your life and remember His wonderful mercy, love and grace. God is not a fool. God is not mocked. God is waiting for you. Go and meet with Him in total abandon and allow the Spirit of God to guide the interaction. I know you will be blessed. Don't force anything and ditch your agenda. Meet with Him and let your words be few!
Sincerely,
 

Randy Martin
661-326-8304