
It's been about a week since my last post. I'm sorry beloved readers (mom). I know you must be sorely disappointed in your lack of reading material. But my computer is turned back on and I hope to continue posts.
The last week, I have spent loads of time with Paul and Lisa and the kids. Have I mentioned my respect for moms of young kids? I get ancy at times, but Lisa never complains about being at home with the kids. Even when all three are yelling with poopy diapers. She finds joy in the Lord and then is able to laugh at all the joy he provides in her children. And may I say he have had some DELICIOUS dinners at their house. Lots of yummy meats, veggies, and wines. And I have found my new favorite dessert (besides icecream) is banoffee pie. Look it up. I have eaten it three times in the past two weeks. I imagine that I will eat it for many days to come.
Friday was Bible study and Teens. Great times in spite of my unprepared topic of Faith and Deeds from the book of James. We know that a man is saved by the good fruit he bears. Someone that is genuinely saved (a Christian) is NOT saved by the good he does. He is saved because of his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. But this will produce good works because the Holy Spirit is now working to change and conform him into the image of God.
Sorry this is a wordy post. But just want to post something I've been considering. For the last 6 months, I have had a weird peace that I'm not going to live comfortably in the future. I have no stinking clue what the next years will look like. I feel like I could go anywhere the Lord calls me. While that is exciting, it's also scary. Where is God going to call me? I don't think it's going to be a little suburban town where I will live in a nice house with a well manicured lawn, nice kitchen appliances, plush towels, and all organic groceries. Why not? Because all that could be taken away in a second. I don't know if it would be possible to live my life earning money to pay for loads of expendable items that could quickly fail me. Will I go to heaven rich? Heck no. I'll go alone. So why would I spend my life getting stuff down here? I'm still thinking on this.
But I'll leave you readers with this verse from 2 Corinthians. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.". If my eyes are on things here, then I will be living my life in vain. Is a life lived as stated in Isaiah 61 in vain? I think not.
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.