It's a reality. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has their own set of expectations (some or most can never be met). Everyone has their own way of doing things. We wave the "thou-shalt-not" statements and laundry list preferences that fly like flags on the fourth of July.

We are complex people with complex emotions. Turning our emotions over to the Lord can have a significant effect in our relationships. Even more so, God is able to guide our emotions that deepen our walk and worship in Him.

The question is not "have you ever," but "how often have you" found yourself out of your comfort zone and in an unlikable situation? Let's say you are lost and stranded in a wilderness. How do you deal with the elements and natural resources in order to survive? A wilderness is both a physical geography as well as an to a psychological state of mind.

When change comes it turns us up-side down. Sometimes it leaves us feeling alone and set aside.  How can God help us see the bigger picture?

As with our physical bodies, we hope to have a healthy worship ministry operating in our churches. The following are some of my observations of signs of healthy worship ministries. They are not in any particular order.

We may watch someone go through pain or maybe experiencing it ourselves. Pulling away can be the most difficult response. The most important response for all of us is to keep our spiritual condition in good health.

Remember the early days of high school? It's amazing how time passes you by filled with the many events we've come to know. Vital to our ministries, it is so important to learn from our formative years in seeing the bigger picture of God's hope, peace and comfort.

Many people are asking me what I think about Christian singer/song writer Ray Boltz and his recent announcement that he is homosexual. This article is my response. We are to love Ray and pray for him. But the question still remains: Why do people give up in their personal battles?

What is it worth to you? When we cut off emotional ties to our past failures, we are effectively practicing honesty. Honesty is the first step toward truth – and truth leads to freedom. Why in the world would we willfully allow ourselves to be dragged down to our spiritual death by maintaining emotional baggage? That would be the equivalence of having stones tied around our necks and then expecting to not sink.

How do you feel today? Are you feeling far away? What kind of a love is there that finds us where we are, loves us as we are and takes us where we need to be? Safety. Refuge. Solace. Your life is meant to be lived with and in God. He wanted us from the beginning of time. In this world where mistakes are made, wounds are encountered and rejection seems to be so rampant, the Father is the only One who reaches us into the darkness and brings us into His light, making you his. Watch this special word shared by Dennis, be ministered to as he sings over you.