Well... been a while since I been on here... with the advent of Facebook, marriage, and a move, been quite busy lately. Been enjoying being busy at taking some time off work and collecting some well earned Employment Insurance. Been over 17 years since I remember doing that. It is good. Rest and Relaxation, going to the gym again, getting stuff sorted out from the move, and really getting to spend a lot of quality time with my new family. Marriage is wonderful. I never thought I would ever say that 2 years ago or so, but life has really turned a corner for me. I am in love like I have thought possible, and the whole dad thing is working out. Taking some time to do some of the things I have wanted to pursue, reading, getting in shape, and following my favorite teams the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Calgary Flames. Funny thing, I used to almost literally LIVE on the computer, but nice to live in the analogue world and check out what it has to offer. North Battleford is a wonderful place to live, and being in a valley, it is truly beautiful as well. There is lots of history here, and lots to see and take in. The job hunt is half hearted right now, enjoying my holiday in life and soaking it all in. Seems as I get older I seem to appreciate the finer things in life and am more aware of the brevity of it and the need to really make each day count. Our next breath is not guaranteed to us and we must really live life to the fullest or lose the wonderful-ness of it all. I have done things I have wanted to do, things small and some great. Small things like actually watching Casablanca finally after all these years, movies that people say you should watch but never had time to do before.
More time for devotions, Bible Study, ministry... things that actually count for something in the long run. I am pressed with the knowledge that our time on this earth is short and we do not have a lot of it when you think of how fast it goes by, those who have left this earth ahead of us and those who have been wise enough to share that experience. Millions have gone before us and the thought that really presses me is what legacy am I to leave behind? What mark on this earth will I leave, where does it really matter? I am more and more convinced that once all our our deeds are put to the flame of God, only what has been done for Him will be eternal. We scurry about like ants in a hill, focused on moving so much miniscule pieces of dirt from here to there, only to find that there is a larger call, something much bigger we are to do, for when we are gone, all that we have left is dirt and ash, but what we have done for God is real and immortal. Cynical, mabey, but I believe that is the real, reality of life. After we have earned our dollars, paid our bills, lived in the bubble we call our lives, what have we accomplished? Have we healed the sick? Bound up the broken hearted? Set at liberty them who are bruised? Have we REALLY made a difference in someones life of have we hurriedly rushed by in the midst of our small lives filled with indifference or worse, apathy?
(Isa 61:1 NIV) "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,"
(Isa 61:2 NIV) "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,"
(Isa 61:3 NIV) "and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."
(Isa 61:4 NIV) "They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
Do we weep over our cities and towns like Jesus wept over Jerusalem? Or do we brush people off as someone else's responsibility, mabey missionaries, or pastors? DO we REALLY believe we are the hands and feet of Christ or just his judgemental voice when we see something is wrong inpinging upon our rights? Do we REALLY love the world and its people or are they just too bothersome to deal with as we go about our self centered lives? These are things I have been noticing in my life and in the lives of other Christians. Why does the world not take the Christian church seriously? I believe this is why. We are truly too focused on our rights, money and our selves to seriously care about anyone else. Further, people are struggling on how little they love themselves to reach out and love others. They can barely make it day to day looking after themselves let alone others. We are truly living in Laodecia. The fires that once burned bright we have let them grow dim. The very one we swore that we would die for has been forgotten.
(Rev 3:14 NIV) ""To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation."
(Rev 3:15 NIV) "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!"
(Rev 3:16 NIV) "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
(Rev 3:17 NIV) "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
(Rev 3:18 NIV) "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
(Rev 3:19 NIV) "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."
(Rev 3:20 NIV) "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
My heart has been broken lately for those I have walked by who Jesus wanted me to love. There is really only one remedy He provides, repentance. More and more I am amazed at the call we leave at the altar for unbelievers to open the door to Jesus' knocking, only in amazement to find that it is us, the Christians Jesus is calling to. May we really be refined in the fire that we could be Gold in faith and deeds, in love and mercy, to rebuild the ruins of our cities physically and spiritually, to be the anchors and hearts and hands of our Lord. These are things I am walking through right now and I believe is on the heart of God. Prayerfully seek God in your life as I seek Him in mine to see where we can best serve Him and not our own desires. Just stuff on my heart. Blessings... Moose
