Not Safe To Travel

If you must travel; stay close to home!

In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil." 2 Chronicles 15:5 NIV

Okay; so I've taken the unsafe travel scripture way out of context! But, If I ever decide I must travel on the day after Christmas again; someone, please remind me to not do it!

My husband and I went to visit our youngest son and his family in South Carolina Christmas day and came home yesterday. That is the second time in recent years that I have traveled a distance on the day after Christmas. Yesterday was not as bad as the last time; but, it was not good. I did a lot of gritting my teeth and my lower back is sore this morning from all the tensing up. Over an hour before we reached Jacksonville the traffic was quite heavy and the GPS was warning us about an accident on US 95 south of Jacksonville. By the time we reached the accident it had still not been cleared out. The GPS rerouted us along a slightly faster route; but, of course everyone's GPS was trying to reroute them and many changed their course as we did. Traffic was not light, to say the least!

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit; but, not the drive. The holiday travel season is not over, yet. So, beware and be careful as we come upon the celebration of the secular new year. Drive with caution as roads will be crowded and not everyone driving will be sober. I personally make it a habit to stay at home on New Year's Eve to help ensure that I will live to see the new year. Of course, even that is in God's hands. And, may He be with you to keep you safe whether you are traveling or not. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Beware Of Those Who Devour Others

"Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,  the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,  who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

Beware of the scribes; beware of anyone who would place themselves before and above others. They are not there to help others; but, to help themselves under the pretense of helping others.

Beware of the pretentious. Those long prayers and speeches of the pretentious are there to sway you to their way of thinking and not necessarily God's way or will. Beware, that their smooth words are not swaying you to follow in a way that you should not be going in.

We are inundated with political speeches. We are inundated with biased media. What a circus it has become! Listen carefully and beware of those who place themselves before others; who think more highly of themselves than they ought. With their smooth tongues they can make what is good look like sin and what is sin look like it is a good thing. Beware of those who claim to want to help the poor and needy and; yet, get richer while the poor get poorer.

Beware of the false prophets. We have a God who will guide us in all things. Listen to Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Called to Praise Him!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

You are chosen by God. You are a member of His household. You are a member of His family. You are no longer who you were; but, are now a member of the royal priesthood and of a holy nation. You are called to privately and publicly praise the one who called you of darkness into his wonderful light.

So, what don't we get about this? If you truly believe that you are saved by God's grace through faith and that Jesus died to bring all people into the light; then why are you not sharing this good, this awesome, this wonderful news with the world? 

The truth is that unless you ask most people if they believe in Jesus Christ you would not be able to tell that they consider themselves to be Christians. So many consider themselves to be going to this place we call heaven when they die a physical death. But, there is no evidence in anything that they say or do that would convince anyone that they have been born again of the Spirit  We have been called so that we can declare the mighty works of God. We have been called to praise His Holy Name. Let's get on it! OK?!

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we might be empowered to give God the glory in all that we say and think and do!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Abandon Your Boat And Follow

"As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”  Immediately they left their nets and followed him." Matt 4:18-20

Simon Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets to follow Jesus. I wonder if those who are not fishermen attached to the waters understand how difficult it would be to leave behind their boats and nets to follow after a teacher.

Although, I was never really good at it, I grew up fishing. My family spent a lot of time on lakes and rivers and creeks. I love the water. Today, I live on a creek. I look out at the water and am reminded of all the things that Jesus has done for me. The waters remind me of the washing and cleansing we have received through the blood of Christ. The waters remind me of my baptism into his death and resurrection. I have a small boat and a kayak that sit at the dock and rarely get used. They are reminder to me that I have been called to abandon my boat and go fish for people.

Following Jesus sometimes requires that we give up a thing or two that we love and enjoy so that we and others will know the greater joy of living in His presence. Now let's go fishing... for people. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Peace And Joy Beside Still Waters

Baby and Adult Manatee, Bulow Creek, FL

"He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul..." (Psalm 23:2b-3a NKJV)

God has once again blessed me with a home where I can sit beside still waters and know a semblance of peace. In the midst of a small village with homes all around, I can sit on the dock in the backyard and watch wildlife. That is an activity that brings me both peace and joy.

And, what joy it can bring. I spent most of last evening, until it became too dark to see, sitting on that dock watching manatee swimming about in the canal. These huge sea creatures are so gentle and trusting. As I stood at the edge of the dock one of the adults and the baby came up to me repeatedly lifting their heads out of the water to both breathe and take a look at me. They move slowly and gracefully through the water as though they do not have a care in the world.

I noticed even the young alligator who normally come out to take a look at me stayed far away from them. There is only one real predator of the manatee and that is humankind. No, they are not hunted here in the U.S.. But, our boat propellers, discarded and tangled fishing lines, and other human sources are the main cause of death outside of natural death due to aging. The large manatee that greeted me last night is quite scarred up from boat propellers. It appears she has run been run over by more than one boat. 

In spite of the fact that humankind is the only real danger to them, it does not stop them from investigating us close up. They are not afraid. They appear to live in peace. I thank God for the reminder of peace and the joy that they bring to this sometimes fretful heart.

May God help you to find still waters.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff; Feed His Sheep

Bulow Campground, Flagler Beach, FL

Above is a photo of Bulow RV Park in Flagler Beach, FL after Matthew went through. They had more than a little damage there both to the property and to the RV's that some people live in permanently. Overall, Haiti got hit much worse.

It was amazing to see people come together to help each other out. It was amazing to hear the stories that were shared at worship. So where are we today. The clean-up is underway, at least here in this country. Will those who got left homeless be forgotten once the many service agencies head home? Will the hungry be left to beg or steal? What will you be busy with tomorrow? Some minor thing that for some reason has become a big deal? Or will you be out proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom in both word and deed? Will you be serving the Lord and His children in unity with others or disunity as you strive to serve yourself?

Just asking...  Just wondering...

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matt 10:5-8

And... please don't forget how many thousands Jesus had his disciples feed with very few loaves and fish.

Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff. There will always be someone in greater need than we are. Just go and feed his sheep in both word and deed and before long you will forget that you had any problems. The 1960's were wrong. Focusing on ourselves only makes false idols unto ourselves. We get more and more into ourselves and more intent on serving ourselves. But, when we focus on doing what is best for others and the world around us; then, we are serving the one true God.

Feed His Sheep in Word and Deed!

God's Peace - Pr. J