Avoiding the Mire

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. (Psalm 69:14)

There is small spot on one of the islands in front of my home of sinking sand. It is a little over a foot wide; yet, it's a bit unnerving to accidentally step into it. As one's ankles and then calves become engulfed in sand you will not tarry. You will step out of it quickly and change your course just as fast. I do not know how much of a person it would swallow if one chose to test the sand. I have never desired to find out.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We go in ways that are dangerous to ourselves and may even be active in leading others in the wrong way, as well. We stray from the path that Jesus prepared for us and purposefully attempt to travel the path of the unrighteous. There are many dangers on this path that leads away from our Father's house and His will. Sinking in mucky, uncharted swamps is only one of them.

When we find ourselves in danger of sinking in the mire it is time to change course. It is time, to ask for God's help to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

If you find yourself alone and sinking fast know there is one who can rescue you. There is only one who can save you. Ask and He will lead you on the path of eternal life in His Kingdom. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Let Sinners Entice

Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,

   and do not reject your mother’s 

   teaching;

for they are a fair garland for your 

    head,

   and pendants for your neck.
My child, if sinners entice you,
   do not consent.

                    (Prov 1:8-10 NRSV)

Last night I dreamed that I was looking in a mirror. At first, I saw myself. Then I saw my eldest granddaughter and then gradually her younger sister was looking back at me. It was a bit strange. The oldest looks a bit like me; but, the youngest looks more like her mother. I could not help but wonder if in my dream I was worrying that my granddaughters would be following in my footsteps having to make the same mistakes I had made as a young person. But, then I also considered that maybe it was my subconscious reminding me that in the end they would also accept Jesus as their only Lord and Savior. 

Who can tell for sure what it is that our subconscious is trying to tell us? Who can tell if our off-spring will heed our warnings and follow not in our ways; but, in the way of Jesus the Christ?

May God guide them all in the way that He would have them go and not in the way of those who would entice them to stray.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Our God Is A Loving God

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."  (Deut 7:9 NIV)

Yes! This is the truth: The Lord our God is God! There is no other that we can so fully trust. There is no other that will love His children as He loves us.

I look back on my years and realize how much time was wasted not worshipping Him; not loving Him; not following in the Way that He would have me go. As faithful as He is to us; we find ourselves confessing that we are not faithful to Him. Not a one of us can love Him as He loves us. But, that should not stop us from trying. Our inability to love as He loves should not stop us from attempting to focus and walk in His Way more fully.

We may stray, even daily; but, God who is faithful will continue to love us. Thanks be to God that the Lord our God is God and we are not!

God's Peace - Pr. J