Creating, collecting, and sharing thoughts and ideas. And learning along the way.
Will it Make Me Want to Visit?

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.”
This is the crux of the matter, and Paul wastes no opportunity to tell his readers about this whole business of faith in Jesus Christ as often as he can. And as comprehensively and succinctly as he can. This isn’t any ordinary thing; it is most extraordinary indeed, only it is available to you and me. And a “long-range plan” it is. A plan that was founded before the foundations of the earth, played out during the course of a lifetime and into the life after. How perfect, how complete, how beautiful!
Loving Congratulatory Wishes from a Dear Friend

Nothing Short of Amazing Will Do!

“Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
How much more clearer could it have been said? Was it too bizarre a concept to fathom? Was it too abstract? Is it the very nature of the directness of the message that is baffling to people even today? “I am the Gate” Jesus said. “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” With hindsight, we know that the grave could not hold this man called Jesus. Will you believe today that surely there must be something to all the claims he has made?Â
Moonlight and Streetlight at Dawn on the Second Day of DST

7-11 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”
As bad as you are, even YOU would do something good for your own child, wouldn’t you? Of course, you would! So, how much more would your heavenly father do for you if you asked? The answer, of course, is a lot! For the times that you doubt, and wonder, and worry, and waste your time and energy, remember this promise.
Doing the Right Thing on the First Day of DST

