Steve Hogg is the pastor at 1st Baptist of Rock Hill.  Steve has been a good friend for a number of years.Last night another friend called me and let me know that Steve’s sister-in-law and her husband were on the plane that crashed in Kentucky.  They were on their way to California for a vacation. Steve has been with a lot of people in the midst of tragedy, but his will certainly take him into territory he has not experienced. 

Yesterday, I talked about the death of loved one.  Sometimes we have no idea when that is going to occur.  One of the things that I mentioned was that we need to keep short accounts with the people that we know and love.  There could not be a better illustration of that than this terrible accident. 

Life is filled with questions that do not seem to have an answer.  We can concentrate on the unknown or we can focus on what we do know.  Isa. 43 tells us that when we walk through the waters, we will not be washed away and when we walk through the fire, we will not be burned.  It is called walking by faith.  You cannot possibly be ready for the challenges of life by simply giving lip service to God once a week.  You have to be in touch with Him on a daily basis. 

There are people around you right now that are going through all types of situations.  Some of them are the result of their own doing and some of them are the result of living in a sinful world.  Whatever the case, the key is to stay focused on the Lord.  It has to be more than words. 

I have not been able to talk to Steve yet, but I know that He and his wife, Monieca will be found faithful in the midst of heartbreak because they have been consistent in their walk with the Lord.  Please remember them in your prayers today.