...the end is in sight

I sat up in bed wondering how cold the floor would feel, wanting to stay right where I was.

The cozy covers begged me to stay right where I was, but the urge to get on into the day was stronger than the laziness I felt at the time. I knew that there were better things awaiting me if I would get going. I had two small projects on the verge of completion and I needed the income to keep the phone on.

Bills have a way of making their presence known don't they? It may just be a little nudge in the back of your mind, but it's there none the less. I always know when the phone bill is about to announce its arrival. For some reason that one bill nags me more than any other. I get these calls from the company that are so annoying. Even the tone of the guys voice on the line makes me irritable. I should have that job. I would be pleasant and unassuming.

'"Hello there! Did you know it's that time again? Why yes, you have another chance to pay for something! This time your Phone bill is due! How great! Don't rush, there's plenty of time to get it in before the day is over. You can do it online even! How cool is that? Just send us all your money, how's that? Then you won't have to worry about it for a long time. We'll keep up with the balance for you and call you back when it's due again. How's that?"

I am so glad to see a spark of new life in my wife's beautiful face this morning as we sat together in the living room. She has been terribly sick and I couldn't do a thing for her. She never gets sick. It's against the rules at our house for the Mom to get sick. Who will take care of us? Who will make the soup and bring us ice cream in bed? That's the rule. Mom can never be sick.... ever. No tolerance.

I got to bring the devotional at noon today.It felt really good to tell others how Jesus set me free. They seemed to take it all in and consider the possibilities that they too can get it. Several hands went up when I asked them if they got the meaning of what the words had to say and then I got to pray for a few of them. The small beginnings of such a chance encounter can have great results. I anticipate that I will get to do this a lot more in the coming days. Pray for me that God will use me fully.

...winter woes

I sat up in bed and wondered what time it was. I had failed to set my alarm on my phone and had even left it downstairs out of earshot. Not knowing made me restless and so I clamored out from underneath the covers and started the daily ritual of getting myself out the door and to the office.

The weather has moved in on us like a slow moving train. It hasn't really bogged us down but I do have an issue with my wipers. One is shredded and the other doesn't want to clean the entire surface.

The pace slows a great deal here when the weather makes an entrance. I don't know why some people can't adjust to the circumstances. They seem to be oblivious to the changes and still drive just as carelessly as they do in good weather.

I haven't felt well in several weeks now. The stopped up nose and the aches are a constant reminder that something is going around that causes all sorts of problems. It seems a s though everyone in our house has had this at least once. I'm going on my third go around with this stuff. When does it end?

Aren't we supposed to be joyful all the time? I miss the mark quite a bit on this one. I like being happy and exuberant around others but today is just not that day.

There's just no fun in being sick.

...he did what?

The first sign of trouble was the smell of smoke coming from the basement.

I arrived at the office a bit later than I normally do on Monday to find the place buzzing with overly excited workers. The news had been all about the fire at one of the recovery houses. A former resident had gone off the deep end and returned to his former residence and began an assault on the house.

First he threw bricks through the windows narrowly missing a blind man sitting in a chair in the living room. He next barricaded the door and went to the basement where he started a fire from some trash he had retrieved from the trash can outside.

It was a harrowing experience for the men trapped inside for that few moments but all turned out well including the capture and arrest of the deranged man.

Sometimes I wonder why I'm here. I don't seem to make much of a difference overall but then I get an opportunity to do something no one else can do and I am reaffirmed and greatly encouraged. I realize we all have our place. We all have our calling and we all need to be aware that it's up to God what happens and not us.

What has that got to do with a fire when I wasn't there to help or warn the men or help put out the fire? Nothing really. It just goes to show me that I am not the focus of what is happening here; God is. He decides what happens and how it happens and I don't have to be involved in everything that goes on around here. I just get to be a part of what happens and that's all that's matters in the end.

At least it's not boring.

...I am resolved to ....

Have you made your resolutions yet?

I made out a list of things that I would like to accomplish this year and titled it, "What I would like to do for God." Many of the items pertain to personal goals but I believe that is how I join forces with the Master and make plans to succeed.

One of the items close to the bottom is to spend more time in prayer. I think that it is probably the single most important thing to go on the list but I didn't put it first only because there is no specific order to the list just yet.

In the end I wondered if I should have put down a few things that I think are 'impossible' and see how the Lord reacts to those thoughts as well.

After all it's the communication that matters isn't it? Talking to the Lord as though you are in the room with him and he's sitting close by listening intently to what we have to say to him and then listening just as intently to what he has to express.

Anyway, have you decided to make plans to reach any new goals? Share them with me , won't you?

John

...ho, ho, holycow!

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the words.
My first reaction to a statement made by a colleague about something that had occurred overnight was disbelief.
"Well, that's just something that happens sometimes...." It was as though it was no big thing to him. I on the other hand, saw it as something important and to be addressed right away. Which one of us was right?
I have to check myself ever so often to see if I'm becoming too complacent or too soft or even too hard; a constant review of my feelings and point of view. Not that my opinion matters in the slightest, but I do consider it my duty to keep things on somewhat of an even keel as it were. And I believe that there should be order and safety in a society as well. If we allow violence to go unaddressed then we invite more of the same if the subject is met with little or no repercussions for committing the offence.
I have to submit to the authority of the office and conduct myself with the best possible attitude at all times. That is a mandate from God not just a premise of man and yet I see the opposite occurring here with no ramifications. How do I in all good conscience keep silent?
Should I speak out? Should I keep still and watch? What is best here? Is there even a solution?
God help us.
I am troubled and yet at a loss for answers; stymied by the circumstance and somewhat disillusioned. I can see where prayer is the only recourse that doesn't bring on even more confrontation. Perhaps that is what Paul was referring to when he said, "Pray without ceasing."

...twas the day before the night before Christmas

I arrived at the church to find a last minute flurry of activity going on.

The doors were opening and closing almost as fast as one or two people could get in or out at one time. I had thought that it would be quiet since we are supposed to be closed until next Monday.

That was certainly not the case.

I made my way down the hallway listening intently to the hurried conversations. It was as though 'the hour' had come and everything had to be accomplished within that hour or they would all be doomed to some fate worse than death scenario.

I marvel at the tenacity of some people. They don't give up no matter what. It's an admirable quality for most but there are those that run it into the ground with the incessant drone of their never ending asking. Can I have $10? Can I have $20? Can I have $5? I don't see how Pastor Bond keeps up with it all. His always kind manner is a miracle in and of itself. I believe that I have only seen him angry one time in the entire time I have been here. God knew what he was doing when he put this man in place. I don't think there is another person on the planet that can do what this one man does and not become homicidal. He always has something good to say and rarely turns anyone down when they make a request. I hope he isn't one of my followers on this blog. I wouldn't want to make him uncomfortable by praising him so openly but he deserves it and more. You would most certainly agree if you meet him.

At any rate, I did my best to stay' hooked', as it were, and get something accomplished here in the office while it is quiet, but just now I'm leaving on an errand for a friend that needs a ride and I probably won't get the chance to come back and begin again, but that's okay too.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love you

John

...and what time did you say it was?

The sun was partially blocked by a thin cloud cover of loose gray clouds that looked as though they had been washed in dirty dish water.

I got out of bed and stumbled along the hallway to the bathroom and brushed my teeth without looking in the mirror. It was quite an accomplishment really. I always seem to look like the Kips Big Boy restaurant mascot when I first get up. My hair stands straight up in the middle of my head from front to back like a silvery rooster comb. I'm just not in the mood for so much funny that early in the morning if you know what I mean.

Now I don't mind making fun of myself but I usually wait until I can enjoy it. I have to be awake for it and that takes at least a half an hour not counting the time it takes to down my first cup of coffee.

For some reason I didn't have a hard time getting up. I usually have to 'make myself' sit up. That's the first step. Then I have to slide off of the mattress until my feet 'touch down' and then I begin the 'Blindman Stroll' I have made famous. Not only do I not have good sight at those times, I don't have a sense of smell, or feel, or very good hearing. I could easily walk off a cliff without the slightest bit of trouble and not know it until I hit the ground. I may not know it then. Needless to say, I have a bit of an issue waking.

Now before you condemn me for my malady, you might take inventory of your little idiosyncrasies and get back with me later, eh? At any rate, I did make it downstairs and fully enjoyed the first cup and the conversation and everything else that happened before I left for work.

Some days are just meant for being better than others, wouldn't you agree?