My day did not get off to a good start because I didn't want to wake up and lingered in bed, woke up late, and I didn't have my quiet time with God this morning. As a substitute, I tried listening to a pastor I like; while he was good this was not the same as spending time for myself. It's like smelling chocolate when you really want to taste it.
On the way in to work, I was listening to Bethany Hamilton's story/testimony. She's the young lady whose arm got bitten off by a shark while surfing - three days later she was surfing again. I didn't know this about her - but she's a serious Christian - she's 20, she's kept her purity, and God's purposes are being worked out in her life.
Perspective - when you're looking at something up close you can't always tell what it is, you have to step back.
With that in mind Bethany holds on to Jer 29:11 - so when you're going through something you can't always tell that God was working, but when you step back - WHOA - you can see the hand of God.
I needed that reminder this morning as I was feeling out of sorts, on my way to another day at a pointless job.
Lord increase my faith and help me to know and hold on to your Word.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Interesting Times
On Friday 3/11 Japan endured a devastating earthquake and tsunami, killing thousands. This tsunami, spawned a tsunami alert in Southern California and this is what I woke up to on Friday morning. In SoCal it turned out to be a non-event but up North there was some damage.
Ultimately, I decided to stay home since the tsunami alert affected the area where I work. I am of the mindset, better safe than sorry when it comes to natural disasters and their warnings. So I turned the TV on and was struck by the images of devastation on the screen. I was also struck by the nonchalance people exhibited on our side of the world regarding the tsunami warning - some surfed as usual and hoped nothing would happen, and some treated it as a learning activity and took themselves and their young babies out to watch a tsunami if it occurred. One individual was taking pictures when the tsunami struck up north and he was washed away. I don't know if he was ever found. This boggles the mind!
Another reflection of the times we live in is the recession. It has affected everyone in each state. This op-ed article in the LA Times talks about how the writer has become a happier person since the recession. The irony for me is that the lifestyle changes that she mentions is how I have always lived. I take nothing for granted and try to be a good steward with what I've been entrusted. Perhaps for many people, happiness depends on possessions; for me, not so much.
We are living in interesting times, indeed. Matthew 24 provides a great description of events that are likened to our times. I encourage everyone to know where they're going when they die - heaven or hell. Don't just live as if today is your last day - death is inevitable; be wise about your choices; acknowledge that there is a God; the Lord reigns.
You can have eternal life or eternal death - but either way it will be eternal.
Ultimately, I decided to stay home since the tsunami alert affected the area where I work. I am of the mindset, better safe than sorry when it comes to natural disasters and their warnings. So I turned the TV on and was struck by the images of devastation on the screen. I was also struck by the nonchalance people exhibited on our side of the world regarding the tsunami warning - some surfed as usual and hoped nothing would happen, and some treated it as a learning activity and took themselves and their young babies out to watch a tsunami if it occurred. One individual was taking pictures when the tsunami struck up north and he was washed away. I don't know if he was ever found. This boggles the mind!
Another reflection of the times we live in is the recession. It has affected everyone in each state. This op-ed article in the LA Times talks about how the writer has become a happier person since the recession. The irony for me is that the lifestyle changes that she mentions is how I have always lived. I take nothing for granted and try to be a good steward with what I've been entrusted. Perhaps for many people, happiness depends on possessions; for me, not so much.
We are living in interesting times, indeed. Matthew 24 provides a great description of events that are likened to our times. I encourage everyone to know where they're going when they die - heaven or hell. Don't just live as if today is your last day - death is inevitable; be wise about your choices; acknowledge that there is a God; the Lord reigns.
You can have eternal life or eternal death - but either way it will be eternal.
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