COURAGE FOR TODAY

The Best Path For The New Year

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  Psalm 16: 11 (NIV)

It's that time of year again when we all start agonizing over our New Year's Resolutions.  There's just something about the starting of a New Year that seems to motivate us to start a new exercise program; or begin a new weight loss program; or, perhaps, make a different career decision.  It's almost as if starting "fresh" in the New Year makes us forget about the past and become more determined than ever to succeed at our new goal, whatever that may be.

I was spending some time today thinking about what might be the next path in my own life and where life's journey may take me over the next few months or year or even several years.  I have a lot of things swirling around in my mind, but I don't yet have peace about any major decisions at this point. 

No Room At The Inn

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2: 7 (NIV)

It's been quite a stressful few weeks for our family.  My daughter; son-in-law; and their three children have been making travel arrangements to return home for Christmas, from their Mission Home in China.  This trip was going to be especially trying because their third child was just born in November.  Before they could travel, they had to obtain their new daughter's U.S. Passport and travel documents.  Once that was in hand, it was off to Beijing; then a flight to Tokyo; then on to the U.S.  I've spared you a lot of details, but suffice it to say that the journey from their small China town to our home town in the U.S.; in time for Christmas, was nothing short of a miracle.  God's hand was truly on them during their journey.  What an exciting, tearful reunion it was this past Friday when they finally arrived at the airport. 

Coming Home Again

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.  Matthew 24:42

My wife and I are eagerly awaiting news of exactly when our Daughter; Son-in-Law; and Grand-children will be arriving for the Christmas Holidays.  They are missionaries in China and are only able to get home about every two or three years.  So, it's obviously extremely exciting knowing that they're coming, but also unnerving because we don't know exactly when they will be arriving.

My Daughter and family live in the mid-western part of China.  They must first take a two day train ride to some City I can't pronounce.  From there, they have to complete some Visa and Passport paperwork at the U.S. Consulate, then it's on to Beijing.  From there, they take a short flight to Tokyo and then connect non-stop to Atlanta.  If all the timing happens as we hope, they should be home by Christmas or slightly later.  A lot depends on the amount of time for the Consulate to complete the needed paperwork.  They'll know at almost the last moment as they're boarding the flights and should be able to call us before they leave.  What a joyous call that will be to hear their voices and know that they're in route.  Then, it's a 14-16 hour wait for us before we drive to the airport to meet them.  I know it will seem like 14-16 days.

The Righteous Man

The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree...Psalm 92:12 (NIV)

Last year on our vacation, I had the pleasure of relaxing in a hammock tied between two Palm trees.  The weather was gorgeous.  The wind was blowing slightly.  The Palm trees provided just the right amount of shade from the blazing sun.  The ocean waves were rolling against the shore with such rhythm that I was lulled to sleep in just a few minutes.  You just don't get any more relaxing than that.

Footprints For Others

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  Galations 6: 9 (NIV)

My wife and I love to walk on the beach.  I'm not one to swim in the ocean too much.  I suppose I'm too scared of what's in the water.  But, I do enjoy laying on the beach and taking an occasional stroll.  There's really not much more relaxing than walking along the edge of the water and watching all the wonderful sights.  I really enjoy watching all the children playing in the sand and building those sand castle masterpieces.  The kids on the beach are so intense with their sand buckets and shovels and are so proud of what they've built.  I also really enjoying looking for seashells and watching for an occasional dolphin jumping in and out of the water.  There's just nothing like it.

The Workers Are Few

"Then, He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His Harvest."  Matthew 10 37-38 (NASB)

I have some good memories of playing on the small farm at my Grandfathers, when I was maybe 9 or 10 years old.  It wasn't a huge farm by any means, but for an old City boy like me it was something special.  I can remember that he had chickens running around everywhere; fields of corn; a fishing lake; and--my favorite--the old barn.  I don't think I had ever seen a real barn before, but it was everything I had imagined.  Lofts of hay were everywhere.  At least one horse I can remember was in the barn.  There were lots of places to climb and jump and explore.  It was a dream world for someone my age.

Loser Takes All

I am a very competitive person.  It doesn't matter what game I'm playing or what contest I've entered, I want to win.  I want to win badly.  If it was a game of Tiddly Winks, I want to stomp you decisively.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not a sore loser if I happen to be on the losing side of things, but I'll do everything I can to win in any situation.

Hide and Seek

When our children were pre-schoolers, they loved to play "hide and seek." I'm not sure why they loved the game so much.  I guess it was the thrill of hiding somewhere and, then, having Dad become frustrated trying to find them hiding in some obscure place.  My daughter, especially, took the game to its most extreme level. She took hiding serious.  So serious, in fact, she was disappointed if she was found. 

Establish My Footsteps

I was sitting here this Sunday morning just reminiscing a little about my Daughter; Son; and Foster Daughter, all of whom are adults now, making adult decisions.  All have left the "roost" now and are working hard to meet life head-on with it's many challenges.  I'm so very proud of them and how they've endured tremendous challenges in their lives, but continue to stay strong; move forward; and not give up with their dreams and ambitions. 

Inhabited or Inhibited?

The Lord has blessed us with a desire or need to be filled.  We all have a void or emptiness that only Christ can make go away.  When I accepted Christ as my savior, I became filled with Christ's love.  I believe that the bible teaches us that we become a new creature in Christ.  When we accept Him, our "old self" is replaced with the "new" that can only be done with God's Grace and Mercy and Forgiveness.