Brain Dump #1

Just pouring out what's on my mind this afternoon. Which doesn't seem to be too much, except I'm not sure what to write. I start blogs then let them drop because I seem to have a blog writing writer's block. Crazy isn't it, because I can usually sit down and write any other time if I try. My thoughts swirl and I can't write about that and I can't write about this other thing and I'm not putting that out there for everyone to read. Some things need and should be private. In this post modern culture this MO is let it all hand out. Tell the entire planet every little detail of your thoughts, feelings, and whatever blips across the mental pathways of your brain. I'm not going there. I'm much too private a person. 

But there are some things on my mind. Bank failures anyone? I'm sure that has caused some people to have some serious worries in the past week. Then a sigh of relief that they would be bailed out. Oh, it would cost the taxpayers a thing. I suppose there are people who actually believe that. But there is nothing free in this life. Nothing. What will supposedly cost the unfailed banks will actually be passed on to the consumer in the form of raised rates and fees. We don't have to guess who ultimately pays. It's the way of the world. I'm not angry about it. I've seen a lot in my lifetime, and, probably being a little cynical, nothing much surprises me anymore. 

Oh, but the week hasn't been all bad. I had the presentation at prayer meeting Wednesday night. It was something I had been praying about. I don't believe that going to church twice a week, listening to the sermon, is the only acts God expects of us. After all, Jesus said you are my witnesses. Follow Me, He said. Do as I have done. Well, what did Jesus do? Yes, he was a teacher. He was a healer. He was a comforter. He spoke a word at the right time to the weary person who just needed to hear a kind word. 

So how do we become witnesses? We don't become, we are. Every person on earth is a witness, but most are not witnesses for Jesus. Our chosen lifestyles, our actions, all witness to what we really believe. We can proclaim ourselves to be such and such, but how we actually live tells whether our profession is matched by how we are daily living. To be a witness for Jesus, you must not only believe that He is your Savior, but you must follow Him. How? Well, that is what the Bible is for— it is a lifestyle manual. It's the playbook for the living to live by. It's the textbook for learning about who Jesus is and how to become like Him.

This week is over. What will next week bring? 

Decisions

 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18  

Have you ever wandered on a path through a woods or a field that was new to you? You didn't know where the path ended nor what you would find when you reached the end? But you take the path anyway, perhaps because you like adventure. Maybe it's because someone recommended the path to you, or you read about it somewhere. You start out placing one foot in front of the other and down the path you go. 

Life is like a meandering path that we travel. Sometimes we know or see where it is leading; at other times we come across barriers in our way that we must somehow maneuver around, or over, or under, but very often through. There are places where the views from the hilltop are breathtaking and calming. Everything is going our way. And then… There are valleys with shadows so deep, we can barely distinguish the landscape. It may feel difficult to even catch our breath. But still be plod on, hoping, believing, that things have to improve somewhere ahead. Hopefully, it isn't too far ahead.

We are living some very uncertain times. We want to see ahead. We want to know what is coming, but all we really know is where we are right now. Some forge ahead with the belief that things can only get better. They have too, right? Others just put their heads down, and keep plodding, not knowing if the next step may plunge them into a sinkhole. Still others carry a book with them that they depend on for guidance through the uncertainty. If we look closely at the book carriers, we see that not all have the same book. Why is that? 

Everyone comes at some time to a fork in their path which requires a decision to be made. Which fork is the correct path? Is one fork better than the other? Does one lead to trouble and the other to happiness? You and I must choose which fork, and we want to be sure that we walk in the right path, the best path.