We Long For Eden

"We all long for Eden and we are constantly glimpsing it, our whole nature at it's best and least corrupted, it's gentlest and most humane, is still soaked with the sense of exile" - J.R.R. Tolkien

We all as Christians have a sense of somewhere else that is home to us, somewhere else where we are supposed to be.  We are to live in this world, but not of this world, and that is the key.  There is a reason we are here in this time and place, but we long for a place that is home for us, never being totally comfortable and satisfied with this world.  And we shouldn't be,  sin has corrupted every part of this world.  We should be angry and repulsed by the sin, evil, and injustice we see all around us, and in us.  But, there will be a place where we will be totally at home and satisfied,  perfectly in sync. All of our talents, desires, motives, and thoughts will be pure with no influence of the sinful nature.  What a beautiful place that will be indeed. 

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Waiting For A Miracle

"Why does history take such a long, long time?
When you are waiting for a miracle." - Bruce Cockburn

Miracles sometimes take time. The way we sometimes see it, they take a very long time.  But what is time to God? He invented time and set the days and nights.  If He can handle the big things like creating the world, don't you think He can provide for your needs? His ways and thoughts are not like ours.
A day is like a thousand years.  In our finite, fallen, and fearful state we call humanity, we only see time in a linear way, when God sees all of time from beginning to end all at once.  It's too much for us to grasp.  So, the next time you think God may be taking a long time for your miracle, keep in mind the greatest miracle of all.  God sending His son to die on the cross for our sins so we can live eternity in heaven, and thank Him.

Be Used by God

God has his people everywhere. Many vocations are more important than football. But regardless of what it is, when God gives His people a platform to stand on, and a voice that can be heard, He expects them to represent Him faithfully. When they achieve something He calls upon them to give Him glory. You may not have as many people watching you as pro athletes, but innumerable angels, saints and the Lord himself are watching. And that raises the question: what are you doing to honor Him, and to give Him credit for your successes, in your own unique sphere of influence? - Randy Alcorn
This comment was in response to a question about Christians in Pro Football, but it applies to all Christians.
He has placed all of us in a place and time in this world for a purpose. Its not an accident that you and I were born when and where we were. We may not be able to see God's total plan for our loves with our limited vision, but God sees the beginning from the end and has no limits of time. He has a plan for your life and my life. 

Show someone some kindness today

Show someone some kindness today. Be extra patient with the store clerk, or someone in traffic, or your spouse or children. Show the love of God to someone by being someone to whom people will say "What is different about them?" Keep this in mind and you go about your day at work with that difficult customer or co-worker. Keep this in mind when you are home or on an errand. Keep this in mind not only today, but every day.
So often I go through my day and I am not so kind or patient with others.  I need this reminder more than anyone.  I write this for myself as well as my fellow humans.

Lets Face It . . .

Let's face it. We all live in a fallen world, and it effects everything we do, say, and think. We don't have to look too far to see it. Just look in the mirror. We are all born with this fallen nature.   Author Os Guinness writes" When the Times of London once asked several of Britain’s leading intellectuals what they thought was the problem with the world, the celebrated  journalist G. K. Chesterton sent back a postcard response: “I am.”
This was an honest answer to an honest question. Can we be this honest and admit this to ourselves? The Bible says that we are like sheep and we have all gone astray. Have you ever observed sheep without a shepherd? They are lost and would wonder around without any direction. This is a great analogy of our life without God.
This fallen world is all around us. our entertainment, our thoughts, actions and intentions. The more aware we are of this, the better we can deal with it's effects. So, how do we deal with this?
We could let it effect us and go with the flow, status quo. Or, choose to be different. We can make a concerted, deliberate effort to be different and risk being an outsider. Which of course if we are Christians, is exactly what we are. In the world, but not of the world. May God grant us the courage to take a stand and not be influenced by this world.

A Handful Of Quarters

I was on my way to work a few weeks ago and noticed that I needed gas, so I stopped at a local convenience store.
While pumping the gas into my vehicle, I was approached by a man about 35 years old and holding a handful of quarters. He said to me "I made a wrong turn and I need gas money to get home."
Now I am always un-trusting of a stranger asking me for money. and I immediately said no. I was in a hurry after all and had just enough time to get to work.
Early.
Like I would prefer.
I could have easily given him a few dollars, or even some change and it would have made no difference to me.
I was not going to be naive and fall for one of those scams that I had seen on tv many times. I was smarter than that. He wasn't going to pull one over on me.
I was not taken advantage of.
I was also very selfish.
Why am I so unwilling to help others when many have helped me?
Why am I so unwilling to give to others when many others have given to me?
He could have been an angel, and I was not aware. He was standing there with a handful of quarters, just trying to get enough money to get home, and I wouldn't help him.
Why am I so unwilling to help others when many have helped me? Why am I so unwilling to give to others when many others have given to m

My Grass Needs Cut

Last week the grass in my yard needed cut. I intended to do it in the morning on this day, my day off. But, always open for free entertainment, I took our three kids to the free movie that our local theater offers during the summer. We got home around noontime. I then sat outside with my wife and talked for a while.
Then we all came inside and had a nice lunch, and the grass still needed cut.

After lunch my son wanted to show me a new video game and wanted me to play it with him, which I did. After that, my youngest daughter brought me a book and wanted me to read to her. The afternoon was continuing, and the grass still wasn't cut.

My son and I then played one of his favorite computer games, after which my oldest wanted me to see her website she had just designed and read her latest blog. Then, we all played a few board games as a family. The afternoon turned into evening and my two youngest picked out books, I read to them and put them to bed.

I went to bed that night and the grass still needed cut.

I got thinking that a lot of people would have said that I didn't accomplish anything that day. However, I would rather have weeds in my yard, then weeds in my family relationships. I have read that people spend the most time on things that are the most important to them. I have known men who clean and polish their cars, but their family is rusting.
Now, there certainly is a time for cutting grass and yardwork, but today was not the day. The grass can wait.

I didn't think too much more about it until the day after our "family day", when the neighbor girl asked to come over and wound up staying for supper and playing with our kids. I always wanted our family to be an example to others, but I was unprepared for what happened next. After a few hours at our house, the neighbor girl said "I wish YOU were my brother and sister!." She was saying "I wish I could live here."

I know she sensed something different in our home. I am hoping it was love, commitment, security, and a family that loved God and each other. She saw a mother and father who was first and foremost a husband and wife that were commited to God and to each other.

I learned something through all this. I was reminded to invest time where it really matters.

The little neighbor girl wanted to spend time at our house, even though the grass still needs cut!