Too Much of a Good Thing?

This is a repost from my Facebook site. I posted it in March of 2010.  But, I'm still getting people asking me why I choose to live an abundant life? Why do I go to church so much?  I like to go whenever the 'doors are open'.   I am called to be a follower of Christ.  I am called to seek after God and to seek the Way onto eternal life. So, in John 10:10, Christ tells us that He came to the world so that I may have life, and have it more abundantly. 

Why then do I attend church at least 2x a week, have choir practice during the week, and want to have more bible studies with other believers? It is because I want to live the abundant life in Christ.

Here is the original piece:

Recently I posted a question, is there such a thing as too much church? I like to attend church and church gatherings and bible studies and the like. I like being with the Body of Christ .. The church. My family, naturally, now only includes my half-sister and half-brother, and their kids. My spouse has two sisters both who have their families and live in other states other than Nevada.

He and I have been married for 20 years, and the one thing that has drawn us together as a couple more than anything else is our devotion to our Savior, Jesus Christ and the study of God ... or Theology ... Theology is a Greek word meaning "Study of God".

We believe in the Bible as the innerrant and literal Word of God ... meaning that whatever is written in the Bible, when it is in the original language and translated as such, is the actual Words of God written by human agents, under the direction of the Holy Spirit and since we believe it is literal, means we believe everything happened the way it says it happened. In the Bible we find Truth.

We believe in Dispensations ... This means that in the Bible there are three groups of people that it was written to, the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Church. There were different ages of time that God worked through ..

1. Innocence - from creation to the fall
2. Conscience: from the fall to the flood
3. Noah: from the flood to the call of Abraham
4. Abraham: from the call of Abraham to the giving of the Law at Sinai to Moses
5. Israel: Under the Law, Under the Priesthood, Under the Kings (from Moses to Nebuchadnezzar)
6. Gentiles: from the captivities until the second advent
7. Present/Spirit/Christian/Gentile/Church: from Pentecost to the Millennium.
8. Millennial Kingdom (the thousand-year reign of Christ)
9. Eternal State

Currently we are in the Present - The Church Age - The Age of Grace ... from Pentecost to the Millenium. We are waiting for the return of our Eternal King, Jesus to rapture us into Heaven.

While we are waiting for Christ's return, we want to get to know Jesus more. That's why we read the Bible, as they have the words of Truth for us to learn from.

John 1:1-5, 10-13 (NLT)

"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."

Yesterday, after church, my spouse and I were talking. How does someone who believes in Jesus feels as though if they attend a local church body only once a week, feels they have 'done their duty' to come and learn about God? Why do the people in the church feel that a duty must be done to attend one service (or two for a mid-week service).

He suggested it is like you and your mate. Would you only want to visit with your mate for one day out of the week? For only one hour (two if you were devout)? No, of course not! You would want to spend as much time as humanly possible to be with them. Any time you were apart you would constantly think of the other person. You wait for them to call you or text you or speak to you. You are fearful if you don't hear from them for awhile. You are concerned about their welfare.

The same goes with our Savior. Jesus wants to speak with us on a daily basis. Hour by hour if need be. When we go to church do we actually go to meet with God or to meet with our Church family? I think it should be both. Our church family are the ones who we can be enouraged by and to encourage others in the walk of the faith. We come to listen to a message that will give us Words to live by and to live our lives as a witness and testimony to others. We come and listen to our Pastor who has studied the Bible (like we should be doing ... myself included) who has some insight into that passage that stirs us to read the Bible more and get to know our Savior more.

Studying ... Do we go home after Church services and re-study the passages covered? Do we take notes during the message? Do we look them up in our Bible? Do we even have a Bible in our home? How are we to know God's Word and what it says if we only take our Pastor's word for it? In Acts it speaks of a people called the Bereans, who would take note of what the apostles taught and then go look it up to verify what they were taught was correct. They were called "Noble-minded." Acts 17:11. Does your church offer online messages to listen to the ones you might have missed, or even relisten to in case you didn't hear it correctly the first time? If not, check with your church to see if they have recordings you can avail yourself to. This is a great resource in spending more time with God. Study.

We (myself included) need to spend more time with God. Prayer is our two-way communication with our Creator, with Yahweh, with Jehovah, the God who Created humanity. God provided Jesus to reconcile us, to Him. Scripture is correct, God is neither male nor female, but God is Creator or our Heavenly Care-Taker, Parent, Father. God cares for us. If God did not care, we would be left to our own devices and would have perished long ago.

Prayer and our communication with God draws us closer in our relationships to each other. To our mate; to our friends; and hopefully to our natural families. Our reading of the Bible helps us learn to see what we need to change in ourselves and to be able to make those changes. We have a change of mind and turn to God.

A long time ago I attended a church retreat where we were taught three things we could do to strengthen our walk with God and with others. P.S.A. -- Prayer, Study and Action..

Prayer and Study, I have covered, but what is action? Actions speak louder than words. Through our actions, people see Christ living in us. We are not delivered from the dominion of darkness into the dominion of eternal glory by our actions, but through belief in Jesus Christ. However, our actions help us lead the way for others to the Light of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our actions, to the ones that Jesus reached out for in His earthly ministry -- women, the outcasts, the lepers, the children, the orphans, the widows, the poor, the tax collectors, the sinners, the homeless, the weak, the troubled, the pyschologically disturbed, the ones that no one wanted to be around, Jesus went to them. He had the answer for their problems. He WAS and IS the answer.

Today, in 2010, many catastrophes have happened already in the world. Devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, blizzards, flooding, mudslides, and natural disasters abound. There are rumors and not so many rumors of wars.

We read about Jesus teaching his disciples in Matthew 24:3-14 (NLT)

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.  “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations] will hear it; and then the end will come."

We are not to panic. We are not to worry. We need to recognize the signs of the times. Jesus taught his Jewish Disciples that they would be hated because they were followers of Jesus. Because Jesus stood for those who were the broken hearted and the troubled. Jesus cared for those less fortunate or less educated or less than the world at the time wanted to accept. We need to count on God for our strength, our hope, our confident assurance of the things to come.

Sin is still everywhere ... Evil is still reigning in the earth. Too much of a good thing? I'd rather be with my Church family .. the ones who are clinging to Jesus ... Jesus is the author and perfector of my faith. Jesus has promised me eternal life because I beleive in Him. (John 3:16) ... I and who so ever believes will not perish, but have eternal life. WHO SO EVER believes.

Belief. Prayer. Study. Action. Let's move forward as much as humanly possible to proclaim the Good News of Christ to all the world. I am wanting to be with Jesus Christ seven days a week if humanly possible. I want to know my Savior as intimately (or more so) than my mate. I know that I have been given a gift of eternal life. I have been given a gift of abundant life. I have been given a gift of joy, of peace and of hope in the future. If nothing else, I am free to be a child of God living a life set free from my past and looking forward to the future! I have been set free from worry and anxiety in the world around me. I am a transformed life. It's not too much of a good thing ... its just about right.

God bless you and go for too much of the Good Things in Life!

In Christ's Service,

Tracey

On Christ the Sollid Rock I Stand

1 Corinthians 3:10-11
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, Paul, like a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each one must be careful how they builds on it. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Christ is a firm, abiding, and immovable Rock of ages, every way able to bear all the weight that God himself or the sinner can lay upon him; neither is there salvation in any other. Leave out the doctrine of his atonement, and there is no foundation for our hopes.
Ephesians 2:19-22
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."
Psalm 118:22
"The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief corner stone."

Jesus Christ is the chief Cornerstone in the foundation. He is the chief Top-stone, in whom the building is completed, who must, in all things, have the pre-eminence. Christ's name is Wonderful; and the redemption He Finished is the most amazing of all God's wondrous works.

Isaiah 28:16
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed."

1 Peter 2:4-25 (KJV)
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

Christ is called a Stone, to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the foundation on which they are built. He is precious in the excellence of his nature, the dignity of his office, and the glory of his services. All true believers are a holy priesthood; sacred to God, serviceable to others, endowed with heavenly gifts and graces. But the most spiritual sacrifices of the best in prayer and praise are not acceptable, except through Jesus Christ. Christ is the chief Corner-stone, that unites the whole number of believers into one everlasting temple, and bears the weight of the whole fabric.

Elected, or chosen, for a foundation that is everlasting. Precious beyond compare, by all that can give worth. To be built on Christ means, to believe in him; but in this many deceive themselves, they consider not what it is, nor the necessity of it, to partake of the salvation he has finished. The foundation of all things spiritual and all things acceptable is Jesus Christ. “There is no other foundation which can be laid.” (1 Cor. 3:11) Paul the apostle, laid the foundation, as a “wise master builder”, (1 Cor. 3:10) and that foundation was the focus of his preaching, “I have determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2) Paul's foundational preaching concerned what Christ had done not what people should do.His foundational teaching was Jesus Christ and His life laid down in sacrificial, substitution for our sins. His foundational teaching concerned our salvation by “grace through faith ... a gift from God ... not of works.” ( Eph.2:8-9) His foundational teaching was the justification of the ungodly by faith apart from the works of the law. (Rom. 4:6; 3:28)

Notice Isaiah 28, states that a person “that believes (not works) will not make haste.” The word for “haste” means literally that the believer, who believes that Christ is the foundation of his salvation, and life, will not be rushing to and fro to establish his own righteousness, but will rest entirely on the work of Christ, on his behalf. All spiritual production and progress in the Christians life must have this foundation, or it will be considered by God, as a production of the flesh and be consumed at the Bema seat. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

The eternal security of the believer rests on the work of Christ at Calvary and not the believer's works as he tries to obey God. Notice carefully the following verse: “Nevertheless (that is, even though many reject and distort foundational truth) “Nevertheless (that is, even though many reject and distort foundational truth, as indicated in 2 Timothy 2:16-18) the firm foundation of God stands having this seal (or this inscription is written across God's foundation) The Lord knows those who are His.” There are two great aspects to the foundation of God, concerning Christ Jesus, which He Himself voiced with power and authority, while He was on the earth during the incarnation. They are, IT IS WRITTEN, (Matthew 4:4,7,11) and IT IS FINISHED (John 19:30). Both of these statements are vital to the believers abundant life, for they bring the assurance and security in which progress is inevitable.

Coexist - or Live Peaceably

Yesterday morning, on the way to work I saw a bumper sticker that stated "Coexist". I had never seen any thing like that before,so using the Internet, I found a picture of it.



Their description of this follows:
Every letter has a symbol that represents a system of thought: The crescent and star for Islam; the pentagram for Wicca; the relativity formula for science; the star of David for Judaism; the Karma Wheel dotting the i for Buddhism; the Tao symbol for Taoism; the cross for Christianity.

At first glance, I thought to myself ... "ah this person is for human coexistence between all religions." But more I thought on this, and researched the concept, the more, I don't really agree with that. Each religion and philosophy are directly opposed to each other. That's why there are so many religions, in the world.As if we could all get along!

Can we imagine for even one second that persons from each of these religions, philosophies, thoughts, got together in one room and then have a rational conversation for any period of time? Of course that's seems improbable, and quite impossible.


The dictionary defines "coexist" as: 1. to exist together or at the same time and 2. to exist separately or independently but peaceably, often while remaining rivals or adversaries: Although their ideologies differ greatly, the two great powers must coexist.


As the human race, we all do 'coexist' on the planet we live, as there is no escaping the earth. We try in our human abilities to live peaceably among each other, careful not to offend one another in polite company. Many avoiding the topics of religion, politics, and moral values altogether, to obtain coexistence. We search out people who have the same values, or religious viewpoints, or political affiliations, so that we don't have conflicts. We don't try to bridge the gaps of race or religion or politics to have peace among ourselves. Those who do, seem to be fighting a losing battle.

As a Christian woman, I seek to do the will of Jesus. He stated to Love God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind, and to love my neighbor as myself. (Matthew 22:25-30)

So, does this mean I must coexist with my neighbors, who may disagree with my religious beliefs? Do I try and convert them to my way of thinking? Do I love them as God loves his creation? Do I try and give them the good news of Christ's sacrifice on the cross? Do I tell these persons that their religion/viewpoint,and/or philosophy is wrong and they are going to hell? Is that my 'job'? Is that what Jesus did when he came across people who believed in other ideologies other than his own?


Being born-again Christians, we are told to go out and give the good news to those we meet. If they receive the message, great! If not, are we to shake the dust off of our feet, as the disciples were instructed to do, and walk away? (Mark 6:7-10). Or, do we keep going back after they have denied the message?

I'm all for peace in the world. No wars, no divisions, no turmoil, but even Jesus spoke about having wars, and rumors of wars. Over 2000 years ago, Jesus knew there would always be conflict in the world. Over 2000 years before He came to earth there was turmoil, conflict, wars and battles. So, for all history, and now all eternity, there will be some type of conflict.

Coexistence can happen among co-workers, among neighbors, and among multi-cultural people. However, I really don't believe that coexistence can happen between persons who have differing opinions and belief systems. Someone will always want to bring their philosophy or religious belief saying it is superior over the other.

On the Internet, I did find two websites who believe and teach 'coexistence'. I think each of these are a noble cause to fight for, but I, for one, don't believe either organization will have an easy path to follow. (see below)

Yes, we all have one world that we all live on. God, who created the heavens and the earth, meant for all of us to live in harmony with Him and our neighbor. May we all try to do that in the best way we can and to live peaceably with one another. The book of Titus, chapter 3, verses 1 & 2 say, "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men."


In Peace and in harmony,

Tracey


1) The Coexist Foundation -- http://www.coexistfoundation.net/about.htm
To promote and facilitate the education of the public in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths and belief and in particular to advance the knowledge and understanding of: the teachings, traditions and practices of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths; the shared history of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths; To promote for the benefit of the public, religious harmony between Jews, Christians and Muslims by encouraging among them a greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s distinctive faith, beliefs, and practices and their common ground. And to this end also to promote friendship, goodwill and mutual trust among them.

"God has given us many faiths but only one world in which to co-exist. May [this] work help all of us to cherish our commonalities and feel enlarged by our differences." Sir Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations

2) Planet Coexist -- http://planetcoexist.com/
It is the allowance for and the cultivation of a diversity of beliefs within a unified world. In essence, this approach to life reminds us that all the peoples of the earth - religious, national, ethnic, etc. are the many tribes that make up the one nation of humanity. Each community or approach to life is but one flavor of spirituality or philosophy practical application that makes up the rainbow of the human spiritual and practical experience. To thrive as a people, on this planet, we must remember that we each have a unique place in the body of the global community and that each part needs to help out the other for wholeness. It is a process of addressing, understanding, appreciating, honoring and celebrating our diversity within the context of our unity.

The River of Life

Last week, while we were in Phoenix, AZ, we visited the church called Community Church of Joy in Glendale, AZ. This is good sized church that we visited over Memorial Day Weekend. We found this church, because our local assembly was going to be doing a small group study called "A Passionate Life." I looked up the authors of the book, Michael Breen and Walt Kalstead, and found out that Mr. Kalstead is the Senior Pastor of the Community Church of Joy in Arizona! I thought that we should check into their church while we were visiting Marty's family.

Our first visit over Memorial Day weekend was a beautiful trip. This church is big. They have a large campus (the size of a high school). Although it was a holiday weekend they had about 500 people attending service. Mike Breen was the teacher that Sunday. He is from England and he does the video segments on "A Passionate Life" studies.

This past visit, over Labor Day weekend, Mike Breen was again the teacher at church. He taught on Revelation 22:1-2, The River of Life. I guess, that since Memorial Day weekend till Labor Day weekend, they have been studying the book of Revelation. Pastor Breen brought up some insightful comments about the 22nd chapter of Revelation, talking about the River of Life.

"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Pastor Breen then cross-referenced this passage with Ezekiel 47:1-12:

"Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side. When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, "These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing."

These are some of the points Pastor Breen brought out that were very enlightening to me:

The River of Life

• It brings forth Regeneration:
  
  As you read these passages the first thing that strikes you is that the river produces new life -- 12 crops of fruit on the trees. The leaves of the trees will not wither or fail, and always will bear fruit every month, because the water from the river is fresh and new and comes from the Temple or Throne of God. Any salt water that is found will be made pure, and become fresh. There will also be fish in the river, every living creature will abound around the river and there will be new life.
  
• The river brings Refreshment:
  
  When you think of fresh water, you think of life-giving, thirst-quenching refreshment. This river of God, refreshes our souls. In Psalms it reads, As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs after God. We long and desire for the refreshment of God in our lives. This river flows continually, giving refreshment continually, and forever.
  
• The river brings Restoration:
  
  As we read in the Ezekiel passage, as well in Revelation, that out of the deadness of the land around it, up springs for restored vegetation -- trees that bear fruit all year long. The dead bring forth life, in the fish, in the creatures, and even insects swarming out of the dead. That is the way we are before we come to the river to experience new life. The river represents the life that JESUS gives us all in the newness of life. The trees bore fruit for nuritionment and the leaves of the fruit trees are used for healing.
  
  When you see a river in the lands, and you see the path it makes, it washes over rocks and trees, and the wilderness. If we look at river rocks, the rocks are smooth and rounded, not jagged and rough, as they are on dry land. The river makes our jagged lives smooth and rounded out. It smooths out the sharp edges in our lives that come from bitterness and pain, and hurts from the past. The river restores us to peace. Think of those old hymns, "I've got peace like a river," ... "When peace like a river attends my soul," .... "I've got a river of life flowing out of me." The river, who is Jesus, gives us peace, and life, and joy.
  
• The River Brings Righteousness:
  
  Revelation 22:14 says, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." When we are at the River, our robes are washed. Our robes represent our righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 "10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
  
  We have washed our robes of righteousness in the river, and we are now made clean. Our robe represents our character, our personalities, our life. Our robes are woven with fabric of our experiences. During our lifetime, our robes can be covered with the stains of the past. The River of Life, washes away those stains. Though we are sinners, God has richly poured out His love on us through the shedding of his blood on the Cross. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. God's grace has given us new life, through the blood of Jesus, and he pours out on us the new, healing manifestation of the river of life. This river washes and cleanses us from all unrighteousness ... like bleach, takes away every spot on white clothes, so does the blood of Jesus blots out every stain of sin in our life, and gives us new clothes... washed clean by the river of righteousness.
  
• So we come to Receive:
  
  We come to the waters when we are thirsty, when we are covered by sin, when we are dead in our souls, to receive regeneration = new life; to receive refreshment = water for our thirsty lives; to receive restoration = a new beginning; and to receive righteousness = forgiveness. And when we have received all this we are on our way to the Throne of God, closer in our walk with Jesus, and even though when we started our journey, the river was just a trickle of water, but as time goes by, and the farther we walk toward God, the river gets deeper, so much so, that we need to swim in the water, as it is too deep to cross or to stand in. This river of life totally engulfs our lives, it is the river of healing and refreshment, of renewal and of regeneration.

I was reminded of a secular song by Billy Joel, as I was listening to this sermon. It is called

The River of Dreams
In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith, To the river so deep
I must be looking for something, Something sacred I lost
But the river is wide, And its too hard to cross

And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and stand on the shore
I try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find what Ive been looking for

In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear, To a river so deep
I'm a searcher for something, Taken out of my soul
Something I'd never lose, Something somebody stole

I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't wanna walk anymore
Hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is I've been looking for

In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt, To the river so deep
I know I'm searching for something, Something so undefined
That it can only be seen, By the eyes of the blind,
In the middle of the night,

I'm not sure about a life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man
Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That is running to the promised land

In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep
Though the desert of truth, To the river so deep
We all end in the ocean, We all start in the streams
Were all carried along, By the river of dreams, In the middle of the night

Video of the Song:

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Conclusion:

Now, I know what I was looking for, and I found it in the River of Life -- Jesus Christ. Billy Joel may be on to something, and not even know it. Let's pray that Mr. Joel will find Jesus Christ in his River of Dreams, as we know this River is the RIVER the GIVER of LIFE.

Quick Labor Day Vacation

Hello again,
My spouse and I just got back from a four day vacation/visit the in-laws trip to Phoenix Arizona. I always wonder why the same distance seems farther to get home from. I kept asking, "Are we there yet?" As I was anxious to sleep in my own bed. We stayed in a Ramada Inn, near the Metrocenter Mall. They've been remodling the hotel for quite some time. I guess that's why we got the room so cheap at $55 a night.

Usually I've dreaded going to Phoenix to visit my spouses' family. I have had enough drama with my own family at times, without sharing in the family dramas of my spouse. However, this trip proved to be different.

My sister-in-law, the twin sibling to my spouse, is disabled, after losing her foot to diabetes complications. She has been living with their mom in her town home in Sun City for almost a year. Their mom, who is elderly, and she too is getting to the point of needing help to get up and down etc., just couldn't take care of her much longer, so my sister-in-law moved in with her daughter and roommate. I'm sure this is still not the best situation for everyone, but for the time being it's going to have to do.

We decided to help out my sister-in-law by providing her with a computer and internet access so that she may be able to access the world of information out there for getting resources and assistance from programs in her area. However, I'm not sure if this too will work out, but I am willing to try anything.

While we were in Phoenix, we visited the Phoenix zoo with my sister-in-law's daughter and her roommate. I love animals, however, it was incredibly hot and humid that day, and we were only able to see about 15-20 animal exhibits. I took some pictures of giraffes, zebras, tortoise, and iguana. The animals were really camera shy and also knew to stay out of the sun. I think they were much more smart than us humans, walking around in the sun, and not trying to keep cool, like they were - mostly hanging out in the shade, in a hole, or in their little compartments out of the sun. So, after only a couple of hours, we left. My spouse, Marty was drenched, from head to toe with sweat. I was flushed pink in the face, and exhausted. I should have taken the cue from the panthers, lions and tigers... find a cool shady place, and lay down for a nap!

We are planning on going back to Phoenix probably around Thanksgiving or Christmas. Marty wants to visit Mom every chance we can, since she is elderly and frail. Maybe it might even be cooler then! Our trip was at least a peaceful trip when we were around his family. I was expecting hostility and bitter resentments, at least these weren't as prevalent as previous trips had been in the past. Hopefully these kind of trips will be the norm, and not an exception.