Pondering Eternity

I am home from work today but the work does not stop. Just a different kind. Right? (to all those moms who work outside the home).  I have been busy doing the laundry as well as cleaning out my drip coffee pot with bleach etc. Once you start on the coffee pot, you find all sorts of things that need to be cleaned 'again'. It's that time of the year, I think. Seems like Spring always gets us moving.  As I stare out the window with my hands up to the elbows in bleach, I can see the willow tree starting to get leaves already. There is a green hue to it. The grass has already turned green and a few 'unsuspecting' flower bushes are already 3-4 inches above ground. They are not even thinking that it is only mid-April and there is a very good chance of more snow before the May long weekend. We know that it is VERY dry here and some rain or snow would be welcomed but hopefully not a killer frost! It feels like summer with these record breaking high temperatures for this time of year. I think it is going to be 'one of those memorable years'.

We had a great Life Team meeting last night. There were 12 of us and two absentees: one was sick and one out of town. Attendance is usually pretty good for this group. Lots of talk about the miracles of Jesus. We found out that Jesus was not 'big' on showboating his miracles. He performed them only out of compassion for others - not to make a big show out of it to impress people or political parties. Interesting enough, even the many that actually witnessed the miracles, did not accept him as the Son of God. The Bible tells that when he did not continue to provide the miracles they wanted to see, many left grumbling, even some disciplies deserted him (mentioned only in the book of John). "He was bringing a hard message of obedience and sacrifice, not a sideshow for gawkers and sensation-seekers". The miracles attracted large crowds and applause, but rarely encouraged repentance and long-term faith. We discussed how Jesus' miracles would go over with our generation. We concluded they would likely get the same kind of responses. To sum it up, we quote Fyodor Dostovesky "Faith does not spring from the miracle, but the miracle from faith." 

We know a number of people who have friends or family who are suffering from cancer and going through treatment. Some are even dealing with severe depression and have been hospitalized. We always hear of people needing work, experiencing financial difficulties and other problems and realize how fortunate we are to have our health, our home and our jobs (even our working part-time helps).

As I sit and ponder family and friends and how fortunate I am to have both...I notice today's saying on my perpetual calendar called "Favorite Quotes for Friends"  as follows: 

There are two things one should know about the direction of life:
First is:  Where am I going?
Second is:  Who will go with me?

Aside fom my family and friends, I am thankful to say that I am always being led by the One who cares for me the most and has only my best interest at heart - Jesus. I encourage others to experience this peace also.
John 4:6  I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.