I've separated myself from the blog for a few weeks so I could complete the process of preparing a book for publication. Writing is great, editing - not so much! The work can be tedious and I continually need to ask the Lord for patience. I've missed blogging, it's become part of my life. I wrote forty-four blogs in 2010. Many friends and relatives wanted a 'hard copy' due to the very small blog print out. I can't change the size of the font and I know it makes it difficult to read. It's expensive to print the book, and time consuming to mail. So, I looked for an easier way. I realize not everyone likes to sit and read from a computer, including me. The answer seems to be to have a book published that can be bought on Amazon and such sites. Also, will have an electronic book available for a download to a Kindle, Sony Reader, Nook....whatever device you use. Even your IPad, how is that for keeping up with a changing world? When the book is ready, I'll have more information for those who may want it.
Because of all the 'social networking', we've invented a new abbreviated language. I don't want to be left behind, so have come up with 'bbb'....busy beyond belief! I think that describes life for many of us. I recently awoke to the aroma of orange blossom's that drifted into our bedroom window. I was immediately aware that spring is here and wondered, 'where did winter go?' Of course we don't have much of a winter here in the San Diego area of California. We have a bouquet of roses picked from our yard in a vase on the kitchen sink. Just weeks ago the rose bushes were nothing more than bare, thorny sticks, and now lovely, fragrant blossoms. Every spring we witness a miracle of sorts....what looked dead has come alive!
I'm blogging on an old laptop today, my other computer is sick with a virus. We thought the problem was solved last week, but this morning it had to go back to the computer doctor. Last week I came home to water dripping on the floor around the refrigerator, melted ice cream running down the shelves, what a mess. This gave us an opportunity to meet a very nice repairman. Our credit card is getting a work out! This journey through life can look hopeless at times, be frustrating, disappointing....and then new life comes, something beautiful happens. We've been given a new vision, sense God's hand on us and feel the comfort and warmth of His presence. Yes, we think, I'm going to make it through this new crises!
Most of us at one time or another have bought into the view that 'life is all about the journey'. Think about this - who would embark on a journey without a destination? Would you get on an airplane and just keep flying around, never landing 'someplace'? Would you get in the car and drive and drive with no destination in mind...even if it's back home? No, I don't think so, we have a desire to know where we're going! Our journey through life may not be a smooth one, there are bumps in the road, sometimes huge potholes, but when we keep our eye on our planned destination, we experience peace and a willingness to go on. When we know that we are destined for heaven to live eternally in the presence of God, we can handle the 'ups and downs' of this journey with calmness and hope. Amen?
The Lord has made it easy for us to know Him, His character, His love, and His faithfulness. He's had it all written down in the Bible for us to read. Sometimes the Bible reads like a love letter to his children, sometimes a warning, sometimes He exhorts us to live a better life so we can travel through this world as safely and joyfully as possible. If you don't read His Word, or can't read it, He isn't hindered. He'll come alongside of you and you will experience His presence and love. But only if you have a personal relationship with Him can this happen.
Wow! A personal relationship with God! How do I do that? Just ask Him. Tell Him you want to be His child, you want to know Him as your Lord and Savior. Admit that you aren't perfect, come on, you know you aren't. God will tolerate no sin, zero! That's why Jesus took our sin upon Himself, He paid the price at the cross. The Bible can be hard to understand, I know that. This is why God will help you by shinning a light so we can 'see' spiritual truth. You'll discover so many wonderful verses that you can hold to your heart so this world won't be able to rob you of peace and joy. Lamentations 3: 22 - 23 - Great is your faithfulness, new mercies every morning! Colossians 1:22 - we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Colossians 2:13 - 14, Isaiah 22: 23 - the law has been cancelled, it was nailed to a tree Proverbs 8:17 - those who seek Him will find Him Matthew 11: 28 - Jesus will give us rest!
God will encourage us along the way so we don't give up and lose heart, II Corinthians 4: 16 -18. Therefore, I encourage all of you to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus", Philippians 3:14. It's all about the DESTINATION. Thank you Lord that we can count on you to get us there. Keep looking up and expecting great things, because after all, we have a great God.
