In my Letter to My Readers 2001-2004 of November 7, 2001, I was addressing the issue of the terrorist attacks, and said that those attacks would be a new reference point in our nation--one from which we can never go back to "the way things were." This has obviously proven true, what with terror alerts and Homeland Security and... . In listening to and speaking with many people, I find even we Christians battle fear. We sometimes battle fear of flying, or fear of going in public places at key times, or fear and suspicion of people who aren't from here, or... .

It truly is a strange new world. What is our position to be as Christians who know the Light of the world, Jesus Christ? The Bible mentions fear many times. Proverbs says that the fear of man (people) brings a snare. Almost in the same breath, however, it says that whoever trusts in the Lord shall be saved. Jesus tells His disciples (that includes us, doesn't it?) not to fear for He has overcome the world and He is in us. In other words, God's Word recognizes the reality of fear, even in the life of a Christian, as well as the problems that fear causes. But the good news is that "the good Book" doesn't leave us hanging out to dry. The Bible also offers a remedy, an alternative to living in fear.

In these days, the only way we can walk free of fear and have peace is to get to know ur Lord more deeply, more intimately. He says He wants us to have life in abundance, here and now. He says this abundant life will come with persecutions. He promises if we will trust Him with all our hearts, and don't lean to our own understanding (our minds, our intellect, our own evaluation of situations), if we trust and commit everything to Him, He will direct our paths (our ways, our days).

What a comfort! Kind of puts adventure back into living, doesn't it? God invites us as His people to walk with Him through this hurting world and to let Him touch others through us as He directs. As we face an uncertain 2004 with all its challenges and trials, let us get to know Him better, and let Him lead us. While we may feel (to use Star Trek language) we are "going boldly where no one has gone before," our God knows the beginning and the end of everything and all time, and He's there with us and ahead of us! "Engage!"

Love in Jesus, Barb