I can't believe it's been since February '07 that I last blogged. I guess I was all blogged up. Perhaps my blog had a hole in it. As you may have heard in a country song, "My 'give a blog' was busted." (or something like that) Since it's been so long since I last blogged, I wonder if I can make the leap back into blogdom. You know, "leap blog. "
Anyway, I'm making another attempt at blogging. Hopefully, you can teach an old blog some new tricks. After all, it's hard to tell someone they have a speck in their eye if you have a blog in your own. (that sounds scriptural - maybe Matt. 7:3)
Oh well, for anyone who is interested, and for all who aren't, I'm going to try to get the blog rolling. Read on, oh king eternal, read on!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Remember Your Password!!
As a Texan, our battle cry is "Remember the Alamo!" As a blogger, it needs to be "Remember your password!" I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I haven't posted anything since Jan. 4th because I could not remember my password. I honestly tried everything I could think of. Try as I might, I could not get into my account to add a posting. I honestly thought I was going to have to hire a teenager to crack into my blogger account to retrieve my password.
Nowdays, you have to have an email password, checking account password, savings account password, a password for this and a password for that. Here a password, there a password, everywhere a password. Old McDonald had a password. It was "eieio."
All this talk about passwords made me think, will we need a password to get into heaven? When we die, as we all will, is a password required to allow you entrance into that glorious place? Do we all simply get a free pass to enter those pearly gates? Will being a "good person" be sufficient? How about maintaining perfect church attendance?
I believe a password IS required. Ephesians 2 states that we will NOT be saved, or enter into heaven because of our "goodness" or our "deeds." In fact, there is nothing we can do that will get us into heaven. However, Ephesians 2:8 does say it's by "grace" that we are saved. Could "grace" be our heavenly password? If it is, how do we set up our account to be able to enter in our password? The verse goes on to say that it's "through faith." We must place our "faith" in the fact that Jesus was God's gift to us for salvation. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave was done out of "grace." We certainly didn't earn or deserve it. He did it in order to save us.
Getting into heaven is much more important than getting into our blog accounts or any other account we might have. Therefore, set up your account by placing your faith in Jesus and remember your password - "GRACE". (By the way, my blog account password was not "grace.")
Nowdays, you have to have an email password, checking account password, savings account password, a password for this and a password for that. Here a password, there a password, everywhere a password. Old McDonald had a password. It was "eieio."
All this talk about passwords made me think, will we need a password to get into heaven? When we die, as we all will, is a password required to allow you entrance into that glorious place? Do we all simply get a free pass to enter those pearly gates? Will being a "good person" be sufficient? How about maintaining perfect church attendance?
I believe a password IS required. Ephesians 2 states that we will NOT be saved, or enter into heaven because of our "goodness" or our "deeds." In fact, there is nothing we can do that will get us into heaven. However, Ephesians 2:8 does say it's by "grace" that we are saved. Could "grace" be our heavenly password? If it is, how do we set up our account to be able to enter in our password? The verse goes on to say that it's "through faith." We must place our "faith" in the fact that Jesus was God's gift to us for salvation. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave was done out of "grace." We certainly didn't earn or deserve it. He did it in order to save us.
Getting into heaven is much more important than getting into our blog accounts or any other account we might have. Therefore, set up your account by placing your faith in Jesus and remember your password - "GRACE". (By the way, my blog account password was not "grace.")
Thursday, January 4, 2007
My New Year's Resolution
Contemplating the New Year is always a time of looking back on what has been, combined with the anticipation of what could be. It's a time of reflection on the past, with a commitment toward the future. As I consider 2007, a verse of scripture comes to my mind. It is Isaiah 43:19 which says, "Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." As I read this verse, I have to ask myself, "Am I looking for the Lord to do something new?" It's really convicting when I think about it. Am I so caught up in the "everyday life", that I forget to "look" for what the Lord is doing?
He says He doesn't want me to miss what He is about to do. In fact, He says "even now it is coming." Am I ready for it? Will I see it when it arrives, or will it pass me by because of my preoccupation with lesser things? If it's so important to Him, should it not be as important to me? When He says, "Do you not see it?", does it mean it is already in view? I don't want to miss what the Lord has in store for me. Whatever it is, He says it's "new". When is the last time I've seen the Lord do something "new" to or around me? I know He must all the time, but I'm not paying attention.
My resolution is to "look at what the Lord is doing." I mean really look, eagerly anticipate, consider, ponder upon, meditate on what He is doing. Quit looking at the piddly things I'm doing so much and look at the amazing things He is doing.
He says He's providing "a way in the wilderness." To me, that speaks of guidance. He wants to show me a new way through this wilderness of life. As I find myself lost in the wilderness of busyness, confusion, deadlines, frustration, doubt and concerns of so much that I have absolutely no control over, He says He is preparing a way for me. Boy, do I need guidance from someone much greater than myself. I don't want to miss that! I resolve to look to my Lord for my way in the wilderness.
He also says He is making "rivers in the desert." To me, that speaks of provision. Too often, I feel that I am wandering in a desert. My provisions have run out, my strength is exhausted, my vision has turned out to be a mirage. I find myself in need of renewal, refreshment and rest. He says to me, "Look, I'm making rivers in your desert." If I'm in the desert, I want to know where the river is. Will I miss it by dwelling on what I don't have?
My New Year's Resolution is to daily look at what the Lord is doing. I need to live in eager anticipation of the new things the Lord is about to do in 2007. After all, He is my guide and my provider. He is everything I need.
He says He doesn't want me to miss what He is about to do. In fact, He says "even now it is coming." Am I ready for it? Will I see it when it arrives, or will it pass me by because of my preoccupation with lesser things? If it's so important to Him, should it not be as important to me? When He says, "Do you not see it?", does it mean it is already in view? I don't want to miss what the Lord has in store for me. Whatever it is, He says it's "new". When is the last time I've seen the Lord do something "new" to or around me? I know He must all the time, but I'm not paying attention.
My resolution is to "look at what the Lord is doing." I mean really look, eagerly anticipate, consider, ponder upon, meditate on what He is doing. Quit looking at the piddly things I'm doing so much and look at the amazing things He is doing.
He says He's providing "a way in the wilderness." To me, that speaks of guidance. He wants to show me a new way through this wilderness of life. As I find myself lost in the wilderness of busyness, confusion, deadlines, frustration, doubt and concerns of so much that I have absolutely no control over, He says He is preparing a way for me. Boy, do I need guidance from someone much greater than myself. I don't want to miss that! I resolve to look to my Lord for my way in the wilderness.
He also says He is making "rivers in the desert." To me, that speaks of provision. Too often, I feel that I am wandering in a desert. My provisions have run out, my strength is exhausted, my vision has turned out to be a mirage. I find myself in need of renewal, refreshment and rest. He says to me, "Look, I'm making rivers in your desert." If I'm in the desert, I want to know where the river is. Will I miss it by dwelling on what I don't have?
My New Year's Resolution is to daily look at what the Lord is doing. I need to live in eager anticipation of the new things the Lord is about to do in 2007. After all, He is my guide and my provider. He is everything I need.
They Made It!!
Through the ice and snow and many, many miles, Blake and Jen made home for Christmas. In their attempt to get from Bozeman, Montana to Waco, Texas, they had to travel East all the way to Souix Falls, South Dakota before they could turn South to Texas. But, at long last, they made it on Christmas Eve Eve. (Saturday night) We have had a wonderful time together and have really enjoyed catching up on what's going on in each other's lives. What we thought was going to be a three to four day visit has turned out to be almost two weeks at present. The reason? More ice and snow on the roadways and cities. Now they are finding it extremely difficult to find a path that would be open long enough for them to get from Waco back to Bozeman. Jan and I are really broken up about it. (Yea, right. We're loving every minute of it.) What has been such a hardship on so many up North has been a rich blessing on us by providing more time with Blake and Jen. I know they will have to return at sometime, but the Lord is richly blessing our time together now.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
He'll Be Home for Christmas
Jan and I are sooo excited because Blake is coming home for Christmas. That's the best Christmas present we could have hoped for this year. Blake, our one and only, lives in Bozeman, Montana building homes and working in a coffee shop. He is doing so well in getting established and developing new relationships and just growing up. In my mind, he should still be that little blonde-headed boy running out of his room on Christmas morning in his Batman pajamas and finding the baby Jesus in the manger. My how those days quickly pass by. Oh, they were precious!
Now, however, Blake is a man and leading his own life. He lives in the snowy mountains of Montana where the air is clean and the surroundings are breathtaking. He's good at teasing me by saying that he likes his office (the beautiful mountains) better than mine. Don't get me wrong, I love my office, but his really does beat mine. I'm just thankful one of us is enjoying what both of us love. (the outdoors, mountain streams and fabulous views)
It will take him at least two days of hard driving to get home and then two more to make his way back. Therefore, four of his days off will be spent driving long and hard. Though that's going to be a chore, he will truly be blessing a couple of old people. Okay, one old person and Jan. I really appreciate the sacrifice he is making to make our Christmas special.
As a bonus gift, Blake will be bringing Jen along with him. We had the pleasure of meeting her there in Bozeman when we visited in October. She is a precious young lady that really seems to have a sweet walk with the Lord as well. We are delighted that we will have the time to be with her again.
The drive will be long, the time will be short, but the fellowship will be sweet and the memories will be lasting. Isn't family just great!. Above is a picture of the three of us when we were in Bozeman. If you haven't seen Blake in a while, maybe this will refresh your memory of the good looks he got from his dad.
Now, however, Blake is a man and leading his own life. He lives in the snowy mountains of Montana where the air is clean and the surroundings are breathtaking. He's good at teasing me by saying that he likes his office (the beautiful mountains) better than mine. Don't get me wrong, I love my office, but his really does beat mine. I'm just thankful one of us is enjoying what both of us love. (the outdoors, mountain streams and fabulous views)
It will take him at least two days of hard driving to get home and then two more to make his way back. Therefore, four of his days off will be spent driving long and hard. Though that's going to be a chore, he will truly be blessing a couple of old people. Okay, one old person and Jan. I really appreciate the sacrifice he is making to make our Christmas special.
As a bonus gift, Blake will be bringing Jen along with him. We had the pleasure of meeting her there in Bozeman when we visited in October. She is a precious young lady that really seems to have a sweet walk with the Lord as well. We are delighted that we will have the time to be with her again.
The drive will be long, the time will be short, but the fellowship will be sweet and the memories will be lasting. Isn't family just great!. Above is a picture of the three of us when we were in Bozeman. If you haven't seen Blake in a while, maybe this will refresh your memory of the good looks he got from his dad.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Look Under My Tree
Wow! Take a look at the picture below and see what I have under my tree. What do you think of it's shape? Look at those legs. See how soft it appears. Look how it's standing there in that position. It really stands out, doesn't it? .....Hey, I'm talking about the manger filled with soft straw and the baby Jesus! Do you see it? It's sitting there right behind Jan. It's the focal point under our tree. (when Jan get's out of the way) The tree is beautiful with all it's decorations, lights, ornaments and snow. It's great to see the angel sitting atop the tree. It seems to keep watch over all that goes on there. However, even the brightly wrapped presents fade in comparison to the manger cradling the precious baby Jesus. After all, He is the reason for all that goes on during this season. He should be the focal point of all that we do. Christmas is a celebration of a miraculous birth, the birth of God's own Son into our world. His birth enables each of to have the opportunity of "new birth" as we trust Him by faith. As you look under your tree this Christmas season, may you see what I see; Jesus. (Okay Jan, we see you too.)
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