RANDOM THOUGHTS

This week my mind is not blank.  It seems to be jumping from one thought to another.  Not sure where it will land, but let’s begin.

I am looking out a window and wonder about the first time the lady of the house said, “If you would cut a hole in the wall and put in a window, it would sure make it lighter in here.”  Did the man of the house reply, “What is a window?”

There is a jar of marbles sitting on my desk.  They are very colorful and most of them came from playing marbles in grade school.  I would never have won a spelling bee but I was darn good at marbles! 

A grandson and I were coming back from shopping and he asked, “What sports were there for girls when you were in school?”  I told him, “None.”  (I was wrong.  There was a mixed bowling league.)  That made me feel bad.  Then he told me, “You do not drive like a grandma.”  That made me feel better.  Then I looked at the speedometer.

Why do dictionaries have page numbers?

Why do we no longer have phone books?  REALLY…WHY?  Have you tried to find a phone number lately?

What are the odds that the snowplow will come through five minutes after hubby gets the snow off the driveway?

Speaking of odds:  What are the odds the weather man will be right?  Honestly, I would not want to be a weather man – opps – weather person.  You would think the odds would be at least be 50/50 but one little shift in a stream of some sort or other and we go from a forecast of 6 feet of snow to 80 degrees and flooding from the quick thaw. 

Another random odds question:  What are the odds that when you have time to take a nap, a telemarketer will call?  And the phone will ring at the exact moment when the blankie is perfectly covering your toes and chin, the pillow is exactly in the comfortable head position and you are drifting off to dream land.

Now, if you have read this far, I bet you are wondering, “Is she just going to continue or will she find a way to wrap this up?”

WRAP UP:  Today my thoughts were random and I honestly had no idea where they were leading.  Our lives are like that.  We can have a plan and that plan lasts ….that plan lasts.. not very long.  If a plan for the day makes it past noon, you are having a super day.  All the way to five o’clock is amazing.  A plan that hangs in there from the time you arise until you retire for the day, could qualify as a miracle.

EXCEPT FOR – God’s Plan. 

In the beginning God ….

Genesis 1:1

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,”

says the Lord God,

‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

We might have random thoughts.  Random actions.  Plans that do not hold together.  

BUT NOT GOD.  There is absolutely nothing random about God.  And be assured, God’s plan does not fall apart.

OLD FRIENDS

Every so often I cannot think of anything to write on.  Absolutely blank!  (No comment on my mind being blank allowed.)  Bill was sitting there so I asked him and his reply was OLD FRIENDS.

One of his favorite songs is Willie Nelson’s OLD FRIENDS.  “Old Friends, Lord, when all my work is done, Bless my life, grant me one, Old Friend, Just one Old Friend.”

OLD FRIENDS

What do you see when you look at this picture?  Most likely, you see silly pictures.

What does Bill see?  MEMORIES!

Eugene and Bill have been friends since – a very long time.  They were in school together and they both love farming.  They were not born with silver spoons.  They were born with quirks in their DNA that have given them the ability to farm all night, to know every weed in the northern hemisphere, to run a few strides faster than a bull, and eyes that can see how crooked the neighbor’s rows are while driving on a country road at night.  This DNA quirk has also given them a love for the land and livestock.

Eugene’s wife and I both attended the same high school and, although we knew each other, we were not friends.  Until I married Bill and Brenda married Eugene.  We became friends.  Eugene and Bill say no girls at their high school would have them.  Brenda and I say they had to come to the “town” school to find a couple of girls worth having.

What does Bill see?  MEMORIES!

A friendship can begin anywhere.  Even in a fruit market.  Terry entered our lives.  Terry and Jan entered our lives.  If you think Bill and I have different personalities, you should meet our friends.  But that is another story.  Terry had grown up on a farm and that gave them a starting point.  That starting point soon turned to hunting.  Quail hunting to be exact.

Where we grew up there were a lot of old strip mines and the banks of those old mines were the perfect place for quail.  Let the hunting begin.  The hunting continued and expanded to include hunting in more distant locations.  They would leave.  Hunt.  Enjoy their time.  Come home.  I would freeze the quail and never mention how much a pound the quail cost.  Quail are very small.

BLESS MY LIFE, GRANT ME ONE, OLD FRIEND

How important is a friend?  Especially an old friend?

Proverbs 17:17 first part:  A friend loves at all times.  ALL TIMES!  A friend loves even when you do not see each other for a month, a year or even a few years.  A friend loves when you are grouchy or sad or grieving or happy or joyous.  A friend celebrates with you and a friend allows you to cry.

Proverbs 27:9 – Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.  When I ask Bill what a friend meant to him, he said, “You can share everything.  You can ask personal questions.”  A friend will listen, allow you to ask questions, and give heartfelt advice.  Heartfelt advice that comes from years of knowing things about you that no one else knows.  They know because they are trustworthy.

FRIENDS

I have noticed one thing about friends – true friends.  They do not go away!  When you talk and talk about your problems, they listen.  When you are seriously ill, they care, pray and do all they can.  When life is wonderful, they celebrate with you.  My goodness, even when you are absent from their lives for a period of time, they just take up where they left off.  True friends – they never go away!  Bless their hearts! 

LET’S MAKE A DEAL – ANOTHER WALL STORY FROM JOSHUA

Subtitle:  A PROSTITUTE, A LIE, A DEAL, and A NEW LIFE

THE NEWS

The local gossip told the reporter, “Yes, some say she is “reformed” but, really?  Once a prostitute, always a prostitute.  She can call herself an “innkeeper” but everyone knows what goes on in her house.  I am sure I saw two strangers slip in her door very quickly.  Why would they have to slip in quickly?”

The reporter shook his head and knew he needed to verify what he had heard.  The local gossip was known for spreading fake news, but there was an unusual amount of activity in the area.  He was sure he had seen representatives of the king enter her house.

Stopping one of the men, the reporter asked, “Is there anything wrong?  Do I need to put out a news flash?”

“I am not at liberty to say,” said the man.  Turning his head to make sure no one was listening; he continued quietly, “Off the record, we were sent to tell Rahab to turn over the men who entered her house.  We just missed them.  They had been there but left at dusk.  Rahab said they left the city.  I have no idea where to look.  They could have gone in any direction but we will head toward the Jordan.  Remember this is all off the record.  I better not see it on the morning news.”

The reporter shook his head and told the man, “The king will not like this.  He seems to be afraid of the Israelites.  I do not understand why he is so concerned.  We have a wall.”

AN OLD LIFE

Rahab would not have been voted “The Most Likely to Believe in the One True God.”  Jericho was a wicked city with a corrupt, depraved, pagan culture and Rahab was a willing contributor to that culture.  She did hear a lot from her clients and was ready to take advantage of any opportunity that came her way.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

Rahab had experience in making deals with men and it was now time to make the deal of her life.

“You can come out now,” Rahab told the two spies.  “The king’s men think you headed out of town.  Before you go to sleep, we need to talk.”

“I have listened to my … my guests.  Word spread quickly of your crossing the Jordan River, your journey and all you have conquered,” Rahab continued.  Feet firmly planted and eyes that would not look away, she made a deal.  “I saved you and you will save my family!  Now how is this going to work?”

THE NEWS

BREAKING NEWS:  “Just in from Jericho, the walls to the city have fallen.  In a unique strategy, the Israelites shouted and the walls came tumbling down.  Everything has been destroyed!  A trader was traveling to Jericho and has called in.  Jacob what have you heard?”

“I was almost to Jericho when I heard a loud shout and the walls began to fall before my very eyes!  I did see one thing that seemed strange.  There was a red cord hanging out a window and two Israelites were leading the prostitute Rahab out of her house.  I think her family was with her, but that is just a guess.  I am not sure what happened after that because I hid behind a rock.”

“Thank you Jacob for that report.  Listeners, this is so hard to report.  A whole city destroyed except for a prostitute’s family.  We will give updates as they come in.  Reporting from Ai, this is First News.”

THE NEW LIFE

Rahab made the deal of a lifetime.  A deal which led to being the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz.  Boaz became the father of Obed who was the father of Jesse and Jesse the father of King David.

Rahab made the deal of a lifetime.  It was worth the risk of hiding the spies.  It was worth everything!

A PROSTITUTE, A LIE, A DEAL, and A NEW LIFE

I love the footnote in the NIV for Hebrews 11:31.

“the prostitute Rahab” A designation describing her way of life prior to her newly found father; also a testimony to God’s boundless grace that can reach down and redeem and raise any sinner to eternal dignity.

Wow.  Let’s reword that:

“the sinner Mary” A designation describing Mary’s way of life prior to her newly found Father; also a testimony to God’s boundless grace that reached down and redeemed and raised Mary to eternal dignity.

Can I hear an AMEN!

LIGHT

Last week I ended my blog with:

One person changes their life, which can change a family, which can change a church, which can change a community, which can change a country, which can change the world.

That means we are ______________.

Did you figure out that this week would be “light” or were you wondering what I would come up with?

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  Genesis 1:3

I do not know about you but I am sure glad God made light.  It would be terrible to be in the dark all the time.  Never knowing what was in front of you.  Being afraid to take even a baby step for fear of tripping or falling.  Yup.  Glad God made light.

Have you ever watched the light play on the floor or make rainbows on the wall?  Amazing how the light rays refract and change shape.  Interesting how the light will shine on one place and leave another dark.

Have you ever noticed the sun shining through a tree?  From over 91 million miles away, the light filters through the leaves and branches to change the world below.

Think about walking into a dark room and flipping the switch.  Such a small action.  Such a big difference.  The light comes on and suddenly there are no monsters in the corner.  Suddenly steps become easier because you can see the missed Legos before you step on them.

Jesus teaching his disciples:  “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.,  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

NEWS FLASH:  We are that light!  We have received our marching orders.

Mark 1:17 – “Come, follow me,“ Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 28:18 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(After being rejected by the Jews)  Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly:  “We had to speak the word of God to you first.  Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  For this is what the Lord has commanded us:  “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ “  When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.  The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.  Acts 13:46-50

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Like it or not we are the light of God!  Inside the church walls and outside, the Holy Spirit shines through us. 

Are we ready to be a light?

Are we ready to fish for people?

Are we ready to made disciples of all nations leading them to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Are we ready to teach all nations to obey all Jesus commanded?

Are we ready to tell others Jesus is with them always?

Are we ready to bring salvation to others?

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Do you know our job will end?  Our job will end when Eden is restored.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.  And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be any curse.  The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no more night.  They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.  And they will reign for ever and ever.  Revelation 22:1-5

Do you know why we have to do our job?

If we are not the light, how will anyone find their way to Eden?