Sunday, December 27, 2015

The Last Week of the Year


This is more informational than anything else if you are looking to get the Ground Hog to come out and play. I am going to be spending a lot of time at work this week; 0600 to 1800 for sure and probably later each day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I will not be available. I gave two people the week off in the office and I have another on medical leave. It should be a short bout of suffering and New Years Eve day should be a short day for me. I might also add that my writing will be sparse if not non-existent. Ya, don't get excited. I'll be back.


After that, in the New Year I will be available again for morning coffee at Caribou in Pleasant Hill or any alternate destination. Shoot me a text if you're interested in talking or call me and we will set something up. I will talk about anything and listen to what you have to say. I am humble and lovable and cuddly. Never mind the sharp teeth and claws.

You get extra points if we do not know each other well. Come on down and lay it on me. You might get a free book out of the deal. Don't be scared. It's just me,

Did I say that?

Single-Mindedness

Sunday school was good today. Dave brought a lesson about single-mindedness. That's not the same as narrow-mindedness or close-mindedness.

Single-mindedness is focusing on one thing so that it can permeate and season everything else in your life. That one thing would be dedication to a life in Christ. The idea is that by focusing on Him, it will change and improve everything else we do. It will make our lives unfold and happen in a way pleasing to Him and in our best interest as well.

Here is what Jesus said at the end of my favorite part of the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:31-34

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Devotion to God and everything that goes with that should be our single-minded pursuit as believers.

If we do this, He will take care of our needs. It probably will not be a six bedroom house, 3 cars and a boat, but if we pursue Him single-mindedly, He will see to our needs. 

What I have found in my life is that even when I was not pursing Him, He pursued me. Praise His Name; I have always had a job, a roof over my head, food to eat and transportation. I was not always happy or content in those days, but He was taking care of me, even when I was not paying attention. In recent years, my lack of contentment and peace drove me back to Him in ways that I had not expected. It has been a difficult learning process, but the contentment is taking shape and form and my concern about the essentials is waning. It may just be that I am at that time of life where one takes inventory and gets ready to meet Him. Whatever. I am reliant on Him. I cannot live without Him. 

Peace and hope are major gifts in this life. He has given me both.

Do you want some of that? He is waiting to hear from you.