What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do?

It can be frustrating to be perplexed about making an important decision. Big decisions are tough; they affect situations, they affect people, they take risks. Sometimes, the "lack" of making a decision weighs on us in a way that creates stress.

 

I am faced with making "critical" decisions every day. My partners and I have to make sure a project stays on course, that each aspect is completed on time and budget and, most of all, that the decisions being made are ones that are "best for the project" and not ones that necessarily fit with the opinions and personal agendas of individual artists.

 

Sometimes, however, I am stumped and "don't know what to do." Have you ever felt that way? 

 

I feel the weakest when I have all the facts and don't know the right decision. The Bible says, "My strength is made perfect in weakness" 2 Cor 12:9,10. So, the lesson for us at a time like this is to relax and not to be anxious. Stay steady, be at peace and turn the big decisions over to God. We can have confidence in God's promise to nudge us and wisely lead the way. In Matt 11:28 Jesus says "Come unto me."

 

Ask God for insight and wisdom. Read scripture, "From your precepts I get understanding ... your word is a lamp to my feet and a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105).

 

When I truly look to God for guidance, I have found that an intuitive feeling, a sense of direction emerges. Don't be afraid at a time like this. Rely on God's wisdom, power and promise. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5,6).

 

It is amazing when you have sensed divine intervention or divine direction. Proverbs 2:6,7 states "For the Lord gives wisdom; from God's mouth comes knowledge and understanding. God stores up sound wisdom for the upright; God is a shield to those who walk with integrity."

 

These are some important tips regarding "what to do when you don't know what to do!" The amazing thing about these thoughts is there is usually a quiet serene peace about making decisions with these kinds of spiritual dimensions. Once you feel good about your decision, move forward and keep your eye on what's ahead. It works for me, and oddly enough the turbulent emotions usually subside. Hope this helps.

 

Glad to be home this week ... Paul

 

 

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Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.

   

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Thank you to the Hamilton family for hosting a great Back-to-School Pool Party at their home! A fun time was had by all!

 

   

 

  

 

Confirmation class will be starting September 7th during worship and run for the 4 Sundays of September. Confirmation class is open to those 11 and up who are interested in learning more about church and religion, asking questions/talking about life and whatever is going on, and having fun! 

We'll start upstairs at 9:30 and continue downstairs after the service with art, discussion, Q and A, and fun.  We'll try to wrap up by 11:15, but the fun may last longer!

 

is it possible to dive into charged topics and emerge friends?  Can we learn from people who don't see eye to eye with us on key issues? We're going to show the world it can be done!  

Don't miss our kick off Sunday, September 7 at 10:45 a.m.

Shannon Mong will lead us as we build skills for engaging in authentic conversations about topics that matter. 

Coming up soon:

- What to do about bullying? with Betsy Fox

- Gender and Religion

- Saving the Planet with Doug Eisinger

- Israel/Palestine with Rev. Kate Tabor, PCUSA missionary

- End of life, heaven, and afterlife

- Religion and Science - can they talk?

Watch the calendar for dates and topics.

Richard Peltzman

Matt Ehlen

Cathy Sarkisian

Fred Morfit

OUR MINISTRY OF HOSPITALITY NEEDS YOU!

Help with our ministry of hospitality by signing up to be a greeter!  All you have to do is get to church by 9:15, light the candles, and hand out bulletins with a smile. Thank you to all who have signed up so far!

Jody Brockett Schmetz, 

Worship Elder

Mission & Social Justice Issues

First, as your Mission/Social Justice elder, I will be bringing a motion to Session September 10 to adopt the  Interfaith Covenant with Migrant Children at the Border. It's a small step, but at least it is a way we can voice our concern about how our country is handling the inflow of dislocated children across our southern border. As always, I welcome any suggestions on how we as a community can help.

 

Second, Bev had me read an article about a woman's experience of living through Syria's civil war, which appeared in the July/August issue of Horizons. If nothing else, it serves as a lesson about how a seemingly solid and safe existence can be so unexpectedly upended by religious and political conflict. In recognition of the huge need for aid for Syrians, the Mission team is going to donate $1,000 from our Mission budget to go toward Presbyterian Disaster relief.

 

Matt Ehlen,

Mission/Social Justice Elder

 

San Francisco Theological Seminary:

San Francisco Theological Seminary will once again be hosting the annual Horizons Bible Study, and all Presbyterian women are invited to attend. 

 

Horizons Bible Study

Saturday, September 13, 2014

12:30 - 1:00 pm check in

1:00 - 4:30 pm Bible Study Day Program

San Francisco Theological Seminary

105 Seminary Road

San Anselmo, CA 94960

 

Registration Cost: $20.00

 

The 2014-2015 Horizons Bible Study Topic is Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians, by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. The bible study will be led by Rev. Irene Pak, author of Suggestions for Leaders, the companion piece to Hinson-Hasty's book. 

 

Please go to tinyurl.com/RegisterHorizons to register.

 

Thank you and we hope to see you there!

 

Charles Wei

Communications Associate

San Francisco Theological Seminary

(415) 451-2805 charlesw@SFTS.edu

 

Support a Durable Ceasefire and a Lasting Peace in Israel-Palestine

 

Call on Congress to stop U.S. complicity in suffering and to support U.S. policy for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

 

Support a durable ceasefire and a lasting peace.

 

The latest conflict between the Israeli military and Palestinian groups in Gaza has claimed the lives of 2,076 Palestinians, 67 Israelis, and has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The destruction of Gaza has been catastrophic.

 

A durable ceasefire is necessary for the welfare of all. In addition, it is abundantly clear that the underlying causes of this human tragedy must be addressed. All aspects of Israel's illegal military occupation will need to end, in order for a just and secure future to result.

 

Contact your members of Congress today! Encourage them to take action for a durable ceasefire and lasting peace! 

 

 

There is good news about recent steps taken by the Administration. According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials have put on hold the transfer of Hellfire missiles to Israel, and the White House has issued instructions that additional requests for transfers must be cleared through the Administration.

 

Your support is needed to keep these policy changes in place. Call the White House to thank them for these steps.

 

The 221st General Assembly  (2014) of the PC (USA) called on the U.S. government to ensure that all "foreign aid... including aid to Israel and the Palestinian authority -be comprehensively and transparently accounted to the American people and held to the same standards of compliance with all applicable laws." Presbyterians have long advocated for the end of the occupation and for a free and autonomous Palestine alongside a safe and secure Israel. 

 

Contact your members of Congress today!

 

Call on Congress to support the Adminstration's efforts and to take action to end the violence--for today, and for the future. Now is the time to say: Enough. Call on Congress to stop U.S. complicity in suffering and to support U.S. policy for a just peace.