More Thoughts

It's a beautiful evening in Central Missouri tonight. Beautiful sunset. Sat outside for a few minutes, not too long though cause it's still winter in Missouri. I love the vast blue skies we have here, especially on days like today when there's not a cloud in the sky. It looks like it goes on for miles and miles. I can't begin to describe the colors in the sunset. There are reds and blues and oranges but then they blend all together and I don't know what to call those colors. Then all this beauty pales in comparison to the sights Kayla and Alicia have every day. Wonder how all that works. Since there is no night because Christ is the constant light, they don't count days. They aren't restricted by time. It's just one continuous, glorious, beautiful, timeless moment. What is that like? I know I don't know. I can be so captured in the beauty of this creation, what is heaven like? I know what it's like to be caught up in worship on those special days when all is right with the world. I can't comprehend neverending, breath-taking worship. Right now it's easy to focus on the what ifs or these present day issues or problems but this life is a vapor, a mist, a blink of an eye. I want things to be good, right and they are...in the scope of eternity, they are. I'm not there yet, not by a long shot, but I want to see life in view of eternity...that's what's real.

Feb. 21

Well, here we are again at Feb. 21st. Seems like this day comes around faster and faster. We are still very HOMESICK for our real home. Our faith, family and friends are what help us through these times and 'these times' aren't ending (or so it seems) so we will continually lean on God. Some days He's a crutch, other days a stretcher, and most days He's carrying us.

Scream

Anyone ever just wanna scream...I'm not talking about screaming at someone or something. I just mean scream. Well, I've had one of those days. I haven't screamed. Don't wanna know what my blood pressure might be right now though. God is taking care of things as usual so there's no need to scream now but it's still pent up inside. Probably will simply crank the radio loud. 

The Curve

Went to see Tim Hawkins, Christian comedian,  Saturday in St. Louis. Picked Stephen up in Paris and went through Mexico (Missouri) to get to STL on Hwy. 15 south. On my way to Paris, I realized I'd have to go around "the curve", Mitchell Curve about 4-5 miles south of Paris. That curve that Alicia lost control of the car and Kayla and she wrecked. That curve was very common, still is. It's an S-curve. Traveled around it at least 4 times a day for over 11 years. After the accident though I began despising that curve. The curve has no personality, no feelings, no memories. Although it wasn't the safest for me, I could go around it with my eyes shut. But over time I had sort of forgotten about it until Saturday. Moving away made a huge difference. I know a lot of people who still take that curve multiple times a day, 5-7 days a week, every month, every year. I wonder if it's become common again for them or if they are like me and memories flood in each time. I pray that it has become common, routine. We all have "curves" in our lives, some physical curves, mental curves, you could call them mile makers. Those times when everything changed for better or for worse. We need them, though we may not always want them. They shaped who we are and who we are becoming. As long as we're here, we are always becoming something more. Hopefully becoming someone more like Christ. I remember that curve all too well, that common curve changed everything. I do hope that one day I will be able to go around that curve without thinking again. Maybe someday.

Thinking As I Write (Type)

Just read a post from a dear friend of mine that has sparked my brain cells. The blog deals with salvation and eternal security.  My take on this has been the same for years. I hold fast to eternal security but it is conditional as well. My condition (not that I'm judge, God is) is a genuine life-changing relationship with God through Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Just walking an aisle and shaking the pastor's hand then getting dunked doesn't automatically mean salvation. I did appreciate the comparison of salvation to marriage. Our Americanized version of marriage may be as weak as our Americanized version of Christianity though. Hollywood has vividly drawn us pictures of both. How many teenybopper stars have professed to be Christians then as they enter young adulthood seem to abandon everything they learned in Sunday School? Again not judging just looking at outward appearances and actions. Only God knows the heart. But as a youth pastor it is very discouraging as these teen 'idols' flaunt both their beliefs and their new found freedoms and self expressions.  I want to say to them, if you're going to abandon your faith at 18, 19 or 20, please don't preach it before then.  We also see throw away marriages in Hollywood. Marriages that last only a few years, or months or weeks or even days. Neither are true examples of salvation or marriage, yet because they are so public many think they are. Salvation is a journey not a destination. Yes there is a starting point when we realize we are sinners and need a Savior but it does not end there. Just as marriage is more than a ceremony and a honeymoon. Honestly that was a bit of a shocker to me. I have to admit it took many years for me to realize that a marriage relationship takes work. I'm still learning that. Our relationship with Christ also that's some work. I don't believe our works save us, it's all faith. But without our desire to work the relationship with Christ, do we really have a relationship? If we aren't careful we can simply be roommates with Christ and never really know Him. Many people know about Him, but they don't know Him. I believe many live their relationship with Christ vicariously through a spouse, a parent, a child or a grandparent. But God only has children. No grandchildren or even step-children. I write all this to say I believe in eternal security of the believer but that security is found in Christ not ourselves. Once we are in God's hands, on His conditions, nothing or no one can pluck us from them.