I did wash my hair yesterday and try to style it. I finally gave up. I still don't like it. I can't even put it in a real ponytail. Sigh. I did it to myself. I should have cancelled when I felt like I didn't want to go. Oh well, at least my hair is still growing and in a couple months it will be better. I hope.
Today I get to run away and be with my knitting/crochet group and catch up. When we meet in the office we don't have breakfast, unless someone brings something to snack on. But today, we are meeting at Panera so we can have breakfast if we want it. Not sure if I will or not. But there will definitely be coffee, that I can assure you. Good coffee.
I've finished up pretty much the message I'm going to do Sunday at the facility - but I'm having second thoughts about it now. Will review this afternoon a few times and if I still feel it isn't going to work, will quickly look for another, for I need to be prepared tomorrow! Still haven't sent pastor Don the songs I've chosen, but I have gotten them typed out for the residents. They will get copied at the facility. Or I may just do it so that it's done. Need to plug in my amplifier today as well. I'll review and do the preparations for tomorrow when I get back from Needles of Hope.
I'm a bit grieved and wish I knew what to do. Our friend John who lived next door to us for about 20 years with Bonnie, my little Jewish friend who passed away a few years back, is 'missing'. I'm saying missing for lack of a better word. My daughter and son-in-law drove by our old place last week and she called and asked about John. John always kept his yard nice and the weeds down (he had rocks and rose bushes in front) - but she said the weeds are about 3' high and the bushes are dead, and the mailbox is full, plus there are no cars in the driveways. (he has two driveways). I'm not a relative so I can't investigate or check with anyone. I begged John in the past to keep in touch, but he has not, nor have I. I called the number I have for him and it is disconnected. I can't even ask for a well-person check because with no cars there (he had 2-3 cars there all the time) it appears he isn't home. I've racked my brain trying to figure out how I can check on him to see if he is ok. He's a little older than me and was always doing things. Is he ok? I don't know. So my heart is grieving that I didn't check on him sooner. Hubby said he saw him in the Friday restaurant he goes to about 3 weeks ago. I asked him to check with the group of men that are there, but I bet he forgot to ask. He never liked John cause John would tell him how to take care of our yard and how to fix things - and those are things hubby didn't like to do. Plus John liked me and was always available whenever I asked for anything. I really would like to check on him. I'm going to be near that area today, maybe I will drive by and leave a note to call me if someone ever checks on him. He has no relatives here in the state; I think they are all in New York.
I Samuel 16:17 (NIV): But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Ah, do you remember what was going on at that time? The Lord had rejected King Saul and had taken the kingdom away from him and was to give it to another. The Lord told Samuel, the prophet, to go to Jesse's place and anoint the person the Lord reveals. Samuel was afraid that King Saul would know what he was doing, but he went anyway, for the Lord said 'go'. Jesse gathered his sons and proudly had them walk in front of Samuel, from the oldest to the last of the six sons. But with each one, when Samuel thought for sure each one was 'the one', the Lord rejected them. When all six sons had past by and the Lord said 'no', Samuel had to ask if Jesse had any other sons. Jesse replied he had the youngest son, David, tending the sheep. Samuel said to call him, for they would not sit to eat until he arrived. And when he arrived, the Lord told Samuel to rise and anoint David as King over Israel, for David was the one that God knew his heart was for Him. And Samuel did so.
But why would Jesse not have all his sons come as Samuel requested? He knew that Samuel was there to anoint one of them, why didn't he call David in. As I was reading in a book recently and it brought up this about David, I was surprised. I just hadn't thought about it. Whereas we spoil our youngest (as a rule) and they get by with a lot..... back then the youngest son was 'nothing' but a free worker. David was the shepherd tending the sheep while the older six brothers got to do other things. In biblical times, the oldest son got the entire inheritance from the father; didn't matter how many sons there were, only the oldest got it all. So with six sons ahead of him, David was just David, the Shepherd. He was not valued. Isn't it interesting that God took the youngest son, the one who had God's heart by praising Him and singing to Him throughout the lonely nights out on the mountains with the sheep, and made him king over all Israel. And what a king he was! Yes, he failed on a few things, but he always ran back to God and sought His heart.
And that's what we should do. We shouldn't look at how pretty or handsome someone is and think they are so wonderful. We shouldn't look to see how tall they are to make them feel valued. God looks at the heart - and so should we. A heart that is sold out to God is what we all should have. And it is reflected in our words, our attitudes and our actions. Is Jesus living in you?
Just being a 'good person' is not going to get you in to heaven. Telling everyone how blessed you are because you have been shown favor isn't going to get you in to heaven. Putting ourselves out there without check and giving honor to God isn't going to get us into heaven. No matter how good or how blessed or how honored you are.... it is your heart that God looks at. It's your attitude and your actions. I've said it before, and I mean it as a joke of course, but still..... "I sure hope that when God takes my life, He takes me on a 'good day'. Isn't that sad? All of my days should be 'good days' and not days that I'm grumbling or angry or upset or whiny or self-serving. All my days with all my words and all my actions - should be glorifying the One who created me.
And all your days should be good in that you glorify God in all you say and do. Become a 'rapid repenter' when you sin. Keep your heart open to what God is wanting to say to you. Fill your mind with His Word and with His Song. Praise His name always. I don't know about you, but I want to walk those streets of gold, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Even giving up my life. What about you? Will you give up your life to Jesus so that you also can walk those streets of gold? We don't have time. The time is now. Will you receive Jesus as Lord, and live what is left of your life for Him?
Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment