WAIT! with patience

Wait!
I used that word with the exclamation point constantly with my son as he was growing up.
We would discuss an upcoming event and Chuck would declare, "I can't wait!" To which I would say, "But son, you have to wait because we have a week before we _______ _____ _____." After a while began to answer, "Dad, I know I have to wait, but I just can't wait!"
Patience is called a virtue. For most of us it is a burden. A burden that always holds the potential of being a blessing.
I have been in the service of my Lord for over 35 years and most of my service has involved waiting. I am 54 and for the first time in my life I have a sense that when if comes to service I no longer hear, "Wait". There is a sense of expectation that there is a major change coming down the road and that change is from "Wait" to "Get Going!"
We will have to wait and see.

Patience plus Comfort in the Word equals Hope

For the past six weeks I have been discipling a new convert and the experience is one I never grow tired of, or in. Pepe worked for me through a sub in Atlanta about 7 years ago. At the time I approached him concerning the gospel and he assured me that he went to the catholic church and was OK. Over these past few years our paths have crossed and our relationship continued. Then after a 2 year seperation he feels compelled to visit me at my home. That evening visit ended after two hours of sharing with Pepe and his brother praying with me to surrender to the gospel. Sitting in church with him and his wife I point out Romans 15:4. Later I explained that Paul uses the word 'patience' which is associated with a donkey bearing up under a heavy load; and the word 'comfort' is the same root word used to describe the Holy Spirit. Paul says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning in order that through patience and comfort in the scripture we might have hope." Thus when we bear up under the load our life lays upon us and we turn to the scripture for comfort, we realize the emotion of hope. I hope the new year brings you hope. It will if you look to the Word for answers to all the perplexing questions of life. My goal through this new blog is to share just that, hope.

Scanning the horizon

It's the day after Christmas and all the kids and grandkids have gone home. That makes me sad. I awakened on Christmas Eve morning and was as giddy as a 10 year old anticipating Santa. Except for me the excitement was in getting to see my kids and their kids. Something is different when it comes to being a grandparent. Natalie was first and I was there in the room when she was born. My son-in-law was in Afghanistan and my wife was our daugher's birth coach. I stood just beyond the cloth screen and when the nurse brought her to the cleaning table I moved in. There she was, crying and waving her hands in the air. I reached down with a finger from each hand and she latched on. Throughout the cleaning, shots and check up Natalie held onto my fingers. I Paryed! I Praised God! and I cried. I prayed the prayer found in Ephesians 1:15-19. I prayed it for Nathan and Joy; for Cathy and myself and I prayed it for Natalie.

Russ has been the object of the same attention in the prayer closet. I see the hand of God on both of these eternal creatures and thank him daily for the privilege of being in their line. Thank you God for Nathan, Michael, Joy, Chuck and Valarie.