Patience

The internet was down when I woke up at 5 this morning. Rebooting the modem, the router, and the computer, itself, a few times did not help. I decided to finish the sermon I've been struggling with instead of wasting any more time trying to fix it myself. I live in the woods, at the end of the line, so my high speed DSL isn't always so high speed and it goes completely out every now and then, seems like more often in bad weather than good. I figured I had tried all that I could try and I would call the tech when their office opened at 8 a.m.. I waited and wrote.

I have learned to wait on the internet. I have learned to wait on many things. Everything does not always go as I plan. But, life continues. There is no sense to getting upset about something so minor and that we have no control over. There are so many things in this world that are so much worse than the internet not working or a television show or a computer game being disrupted. It can even be a good thing when we lose our connection with the world wide web from time to time.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians (4:1-3) "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  Here is Paul, in prison, begging the Ephesians to lead lives with humility, gentleness, and patience bearing with one another in love. Paul met his imprisonment not just with patience; but with joy that the Lord had opened many doors in that prison so that he could proclaim the Good News to those who would not otherwise hear.

Some of the things that we lose patience with are pretty trivial compared to the troubles others suffer in the world. It would be best to ignore these minor obstacles and just move on past or over them. Don't let them interfere with what God has called you to do. Take advantage of what might seem to be a hindrance; because, it just might be a door opening for you. 

Just as I finished the sermon at 7:30, the internet came back on all by itself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 46 - I Will Not Make An End Of You!

"As for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,
says the Lord,
    for I am with you.
I will make an end of all the nations
    among which I have banished you,
    but I will not make an end of you!
I will chastise you in just measure,
    and I will by no means leave you unpunished." (Jer 46:28 NIV)

Have no fear, for the LORD is with you. He will chastise you as a good Father chastises his children who have gone astray, but He will not leave you. He will not make an end of you. He will be with you always.

Every now and then I have these recurring dreams about a government take-over, including last night. No, the people don't rebel and take over the government. The people allow the government to take over every aspect of their lives. We allow the government to micro-manage the lives of everyone, everywhere. The government chooses who will eat and what and they will eat; they will dictate who works what jobs; who will get what health care and who is not fruitful enough to live; when, where and who we can worship. All this will be done on a merit system depending on how loyal we are to powers that be. How will the government monitor all these things of every individual? With the radically moving and changing electronic age, it will not be a problem. How much do we let others know about us via our computers and GPS systems and all the other ways they have access into individual lives?  

Now, I know that these dreams stem from having read and studied with too those who have some fantastic interpretations of a coming apocalypse according to scripture; with those who take the Book of John's Revelation literally. But, the ideas have been planted in my mind and they rear their heads in dreams every now and then. When I am fully awake, I am able to lean on the promises of God; no matter what happens; even if I chastise you, I will not make an end of you. Have no fear, the LORD is with you.

God's Peace - Pr. J