What’s the Harm in a Little Bounce?

Bounces in Life can cause us to be off kilter !

 

 

The day our big Oak tree fell and hit our propane tank, we figured no real damage was done.  Of course the tree was in the drive way and our neighbor promised to find someone to haul off the good wood.

We realized our propane tank had been shoved a bit off kilter, but passed that thought aside when all seemed to be okay.

a few weeks later, we had no hot water!  The pilot light would turn off each time Robert relit it so we could enjoy a shower or wash clothes.  Then it would turn off again, and we could not understand why. 

We called our plumber friend, and he replaced parts that did not help.  He again replaced other parts, drained the tank and still the pilot light would not stay lit.

As a last resort, we had our friend order us a new hot water heater.

Guess what?  The same thing was happening, the pilot light would not stay on.

Then a few days later our propane heater for our house quit working. 

Propane tank

Finally after much consideration, our men decided the propane line must have been bounced and jiggled from the fallen tree, and there was a leak somewhere. 

The propane man said there was no leak at the tank, so our men began to dig holes in our yard trying to find the direction of the connections. 

It took two days digging.

As I write, a leak has been found and repaired, and our friend is working on our house heater to get it up and going.

Our dear son-in-law loaned us some space heaters and we are layered up with sweaters and are not suffering - - Just a bit anxious. 

In life there are problems that bounce us at times.  One thing we must always make sure is that our connection to Jesus Christ is not broken or leaking. 

Always keep that precious time alone with God.  Come with your Bible, in prayer and with praise.

Isaiah 26:3  Thou will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on Thee . . .

 

 

CHILD OF HOPE

Cute Baby Jesus

Pastor Jerry’s Sunday message was about the child of Hope who became the grown Man full of Grace and Truth.  Pastor began reading from Luke 2:22-39. 

Luke mentions four elderly people in and around the time of the birth of Jesus.  Mary’s cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias who became the parents of John the Baptist in their old age.

Two other elderly ministers were at the temple when Jesus was presented at age 40 days.

Luke 2:25-35 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,  he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation  which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.

A prophetess, Anna was also at the temple and prophesied of the child’s future.

It is amazing that Simeon and Anna could see in the eyes of an infant child more than just a cute baby boy.  They saw joy, sorrow and suffering ahead. They recognized the baby Jesus as the promised Messiah.

These four elderly persons disappear and are not mentioned again. 

Very little is said about the childhood of Jesus.  At around age two the wise-men appeared to present gifts to the young child. 

At the young age of twelve there is mention of Jesus being at the temple while he disputed with the scribes and priests.

Finally we see Jesus as a grown man ready to begin his ministry, speaking with a sword of truth coming from his mouth.  He spoke truth and was and is the Way the Truth and the Life.

His followers believed he was going to build an army and take over the current government and become King of the Jews.  They became upset when He spoke about dying to self and predicting his own death.  Many turned back at these words and left.

Today many want the cute infant baby Jesus, and not the grown man Jesus with his sword of Truth. 

Many are upset when Jesus comes as an adult man, preaching to repent and change their way of living.  They think, "Here is a man who speaks trouble, because He compels us to view and reshape our values.  He wants us to renounce forms of power, selfishness, rebellion and to become refined in the fire of purification."

All hinges on our ability to question our personal motives and to renounce greed and self-centeredness.

May we listen to truth and also speak it out not just for ourselves but for all we influence.

Good Bad and the Ugly

 

GOOD:

Our Christmas was a blessed time with family that were able to come to our home.  Our Daughter and Son-in-law in Southern California, enjoyed their adult girls home for Christmas, so we missed them.  Connie was still healing from her back surgery, so she had a quiet Christmas planned at her home.  Nancy and Randy had family from afar and near as they live many miles away from us.

Our other daughter and family and our son and family minus oldest son Blake, were able to be with us. 

Son Steve, grandson Max, Daughter - law Debbie and Blake on the computer

A highlight was when our grandson Blake was able to Skype us a greeting to and chat for almost an hour while he is on his LDS mission in Texas.

He told of their first stop in Utah, where they had two weeks training and a boy from Sudan shared their room.  The first night the boy laid on the floor and they told him to select a bed.  He said, “I have never slept in a bed.”  The next morning the boys asked him how he slept, and he said, “I never had such a good sleep in all of my life.”  The boy could also not believe all the food ready for them at breakfast.

How blessed we are (most of us) to have a nice bed with warm covers, and a refrigerator and pantry full of nourishing food.  May we give God praise!

BAD:



Just Smoke Left

This morning, I walked out to get the paper and mail, and noticed across the street what looked like someone burning leaves.  On further inspection, I discovered it was our neighbor’s mobile home on fire with flames shooting high into the air. 

 

The tree next to the home was about to catch on fire as well. 

 

I asked some people standing there, if the fire department had been notified, and the woman replied, “Yes, they are on the way.”

A few minutes later a car arrived and a fireman with some special clothing exited and asked a gentleman to help him open the gate.  The renter’s car was gone, and it appeared no one was home.

The fireman took photos with his cell phone and sent it to our News Paper.  Here is the story: http://www.chicoer.com/general-news/20141226/oroville-mobile-home-goes-up-in-flames

Where's the Hydrant?

Shortly a fire truck appeared and the firemen did not know where the nearest hydrant was located.  We told him it was on the corner (very close by.) 

 

The firemen decided the mobile was a total loss and to use this fire as a learning experience.  - - (No comment)

UGLY

There is no ugly - - except to think perhaps our firemen need to learn where the hydrants are especially if there is another fire in our neighborhood.  :-)

Just Saying !

What’s Your Real Name?

A Tar Kettle for Roofing

 

My husband would often take his teen age brother, Douglas and our son Steve to work with him during the summer.  Doug was 4 months older than our son, and he lived with us for a period of several years.  Five early teens in one house was an interesting time. 

The boys were given simple tasks to pick up the wrappings from the packs of shingles, and other non dangerous clean up jobs.  If the job was Tar and Gravel, they had to stay home because this could be more hazardous.  Our roofing crew consisted mainly of family, a cousin, an uncle, and my husband’s step dad.  We often employed an extra man. 

Our Step-dad had a habit of calling our uncle, “Brother-in-law,” instead of his given name.   Send up a bucket of hot tar - “Brother-in law.” Using the pulley, soon a bucket of the hot asphalt would reach the platform at the top of the roof.    

One day we hired a young black boy as a helper.  The men except for Uncle were all on the roof.  Uncle was the kettle man and they needed another bucket of tar. 

 

The new black boy ambled over to the edge of the roof.  The boy yelled, “Brother-in-law, send us up a bucket of tar.”  

No one could hold a straight face after that, and they all laughed until their bellies hurt. 

Realizing the joke was on him, our black friend laughed too.  The fellows told him, his name is Ernest, but “Brother-in-law” will get his attention better!  As long as that young man worked for us, he continued to call our Uncle, “Brother-in-law.” 

Many of us have been given a pet name by someone we love.  Be it honey, dear, sweetie, darling, lover, or something else nice. 

 

We had a friend that they called “Shortie,”one called “Red,’ for his hair color and another was called “Gimp” because he limped a bit.  Some kinds of nick names can be hurtful. 

Amazing enough is the fact that God not only knows our names, but he knows all about us. 

He knew us even when we were still in our mother’s womb.  Psalms_22:10  I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.  

Even the very hairs on our head are numbered.  Matthew 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

The book of Revelation says that one day soon, we will receive a new Heavenly name.

 

I wonder if it will be similar as to the woman taking the man’s name at a marriage.  

After all there will be a marriage supper of the Lamb.  What a thought!

I am reminded of the hymn, “There’s a New Name Written Down in Glory and it’s mine. 

This post was inspired by some thoughts received when I read Floyd’s great post: Enjoy his story here: 
http://theregoi.com/finding-floyd/the-beginning-of-faith/

 

Being a Bearer of Christ



Be it Unto Me as You Have Said !

 

The minister was reading from 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 where God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. 

Pastor read this time  from Luke 1:26-38 regarding the angel Gabriel’s proclamation to Mary, which troubled her greatly because she was a virgin and wondered how this could be.  (You might enjoy my post The Virgin Birth was Necessary.) 

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ”

Pastor stated, “The issue of Humanity and Deity of Christ is a challenge to hold on to.  It has never bothered me, even though I don’t understand it fully.” 

We are happy to live with the miracle and mystery of Christ being Divine, yet human. 

To the women here today, “What would your reaction be if an angel appeared to you with such a decree?”   

Joseph was a man of faith who chose to stand by Mary’s choice.  Mary accepted the honor of being chosen to bear the Christ.   

We have been chosen to bear Jesus Christ in our hearts and to become His followers. 

Think of the implications.  We wait patiently as we watch. 

Bearing Christ to the World

We have been called to break down barriers, to be an activist; In our thoughts, in our lives, as we speak, write or act against perceived injustices. 

We must find a balance of words and action.  We must show our devotion in a variety of ways such as giving a drink of water, feeding the poor, and visiting the shut ins.  

Locally we give donations to the Salvation Army, The Rescue Mission, and to Feed the Poor.  These organizations always accept volunteers as well as money. 

May we accept the call to bear Jesus Christ first and most important in our hearts and then in many new ways of service.

 

 

 

The Virgin Birth Was Necessary!!

 

A Virgin Shall Conceive 

 

As we consider this Christmas Season and celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, I am so very thankful and rejoice for the Virgin Birth. 

 

It is extremely important that we understand why the Virgin Birth was so necessary.  The Bible tells us that the Life is in the Blood.  Jesus said he was the Life and the light of Life.

 

When the first Adam sinned and took of the fruit in the garden something terrible happened to his body, his soul, and his spirit.  He became sort of REVERSE born again or changed into a different person.  His blood now had the sin nature which all mankind has inherited. 

 

1 Corinthians 15:45 tells us that the Last Adam was Jesus.  Jesus was not born with Adams sin nature because his father was God.   

Dr. M.R. De Haan explains in his book, “The Chemistry of the Blood” that Physiologists have proven beyond question that the Mother does not impart her blood to the babe that is being formed.  It has been proven that the blood that flows in the arteries and veins of the babe is from the father of the child.

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/BTP/Dr_MR_DeHaan/Chemistry/toc.htm  

 

Mary herself wondered and told the Angel, “How can this be since I have never known a man?” 

 

The Angel told Mary that this Holy Child that will be formed in you will be conceived by the Holy Ghost, and the life in him will be from his Father God.  Mary said to the Angel, “Let it be so unto me even as you have said.”

 

God needed a blood sacrifice to atone for Adam’s sin.  Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  His blood was Holy because his blood was from his Father God.  That is why it is so very important to be thankful for the Virgin Birth, so that the Holy Jesus could shed his Holy Blood so that we could be saved and changed into another person.

 

So my joy today is that I am thankful for the Virgin Birth and all it means to purchase for you and for me -- the gift of salvation.

 

1 Corinthians 15:45  And so it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul," the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.

What Does Your Answer Look Like2



Not What Many Expected?



It is true that many are still looking and waiting for their Messiah!   

Jesus was NOT what the Jewish nation expected of a ruler, so many did not accept him as King.  

He was born in a stable and not in a palace.  He associated with the poor and with sinners and not the privileged class.   

He did not protest and cry in the streets requesting the vote of the people.  He did not seek recognition, but often retreated to find seclusion in lonely gardens or in a mountain to pray.   

Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey, and He did not come galloping in on a white horse.   

Yet multitudes thronged him daily, usually hoping to receive FREE food or a miracle. 

For the Jews it was not popular to give up the old life style, and follow Jesus. 

Even today it is not always trendy and in some places is can be dangerous to acknowledge Christ!

Jesus was not recognized by many to be the King, because he did not “Look like a king.” 

When we pray, we must anticipate our answer will surely come, but we may be amazed that it might not appear as we think it should.  It may not “Look like the answer we expected.” 

Often we do not recognize God’s voice because we already have preconceived ideas of what His voice sounds like and what the results of our requested prayer will predictably be manifested.   

May we learn to open our Spiritual eyes and Spiritual ears to see and hear what God is actually saying?   May we recognize the answer to our prayer and be grateful! 

Thank you Lord for your many gifts to us and may we ever exalt you as King in our lives.   

Teach us to be aware of you in others who may not at first glance seem to us - - that you are also residing in them. 

Ain’t Got No Mama!





Ain’t Got No Mama!
 

She viewed me coming down the aisle to pick up my repaired hearing aid.  “Come into my office,” my friend, the Hearing Specialist said. 

I noticed she was fidgeting with a lonely button and a sewing kit, as she explained.  “I just purchased this sweater vest, and a minute ago one of the buttons fell off.  I can’t get one of the needles threaded to fix it.”

Restlessly she opened the sewing kid and moved about the many needles inside a small box.  Almost frantically she said, “Is this the needle threader?  I can’t make it work.”

As I reached out to select a needle, she handed me the threading gadget. 
 

Carefully, I inserted the threader into the eye of the needle, and showed her how to pass the thread through and then gently pull it into the needle. 

Quickly I picked up the button and proceeded to reattach it to her sweater.

 “You need your mama,” I said to her.

Her response surprised me when she replied, “Hazel I never had a mama.  My birth mother did not want me or my sister, so my grandma raised us in our early years, and she was mean to us.  Later I went to live with my dad, and my step mother was uncaring and hateful to me.”

I answered, “So you did not have a mother figure to be a good role model and to show you love?” 

She replied, “That is true.”

I told her, “Well, I love you,” as I reached out and gave her a hug, and she hugged back. 

As she handed me my package, she said, “Those three women really missed out, because I have gone on to make something of myself, and I am also proud of my adult children.” 

In life not all children are fortunate to have a good relationship with their mother, (or their father) even those still living at home. 

I think back at the many times I failed as a mother to be patient and kind to my own children.  Today, I am thankful that my children have forgiven me. 

Jesus gave explicit instructions about children and those who abuse and harm the little ones. 

Jesus said, “It would be better that a millstone was hanged around their neck and they were cast into the sea.” 

Now that seems a bit harsh, but Jesus did not take kindly to the mistreatment of children.  

Paul instructed Fathers not to tease and aggravate their children and cause them to be angry.

 

Ephesians  6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  

I am reminded that Paul also said children were to obey and honor their parents, and give them respect.

How is everything at your home this day?

 

Dare to Rejoice

 

Pastor Jerry began his Sunday sermon with the reading of Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 and 2 Thessalonians 5:16-24.

Isaiah 61:1-4 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,

Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor; 

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

³ To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

The Scripture portion in Isaiah was spoken to encourage the people who had been in exile for 40 years and were now returning to Jerusalem from Babylon.  The prophet declared that they needed to rejoice as they approached a devastated Jerusalem.  There was hope to empower and rebuild even in this harsh and difficult time. 

 

We are reminded that many today are disenfranchised and away from “home.”

 As we read Isaiah we understand this as also prophesying of Jesus coming to earth.

Jesus in his early ministry opened the scroll to this portion and read it aloud to the people as He was speaking of Himself.

In Israel there were desert areas in the south, “Restore and turn again our captivity

Only a remnant returned to Zion, because many were settled in the foreign land.

There is tremendous symbolism in this story, as we can realize that in troubled times we have hope and practice rejoicing in all circumstances.

Often it is hard to rejoice.  We pray for rain, and then comes a flood, and a mountain slide that destroyed many homes.

How can we go through all this without the “Church?”  This is nostalgic also as we prepare for Christmas Coming.  We are reminded of all the blessings through the year and we focus on good memories and rejoice.

Paul in Thessalonians assumes that all he is writing to are Christians.  Yet people go to their job and are busy with their lives.  There is such a thing as rejoicing while working.

When we say, “I am going to Church,” we think of a building.  It is also a spiritual place of Community.  It is still “church” if we meet in a tent, or under a tree.

Many do not want the hierarchy of church life.  Unfortunately there are times that church is toxic and certain ungodly behaviors can drive people away.  Splits can occur and they often don’t make it and the congregation dissolves and many are hurt.  They are put off  by ‘church,’ so they feel they don’t need “church” and decide to go solo.

True believers meet with others of like precious faith, and rejoice together as they serve Christ.  They know there is strength in assembling together to worship and pray.

We do not deny that there is suffering, pains and problems in life, but God sent us a Savior.  We the church reach out and become God’s hands to touch friends with encouragement, kindness of a phone call, e-mail (not quite as nice,) a ride to church, or a bowl of soup.

John Calvin said, “There is not one blade of grass, or color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice.

Yes, in life, we may have ongoing struggles, but stir up our slumbering Spirit and Rejoice.

 

Jesus, Name Above All Names! "The Christ" Guest Post

 

 

Jesus, Name Above All Names! "The Christ"

via Meet Me In The Meadow by Roy Lessin 

The Christ
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16

The name Christ means Messiah. Messiah means the Anointed One, the One sent by God to be the Savior.

For centuries the Jewish people had known through the promises God made to Abraham, Moses, and David that Messiah would come. The prophets also spoke of the Messiah’s coming.

Isaiah proclaimed, “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6)

The name Jesus Christ means that He is the Savior of all who believe; the promised Messiah, and the anointed redeemer of Israel.

He is the one God so faithfully promised.

Jesus was sent by the God of Israel, He did not send Himself; Jesus was appointed by the God of Israel, He did not appoint Himself;

Jesus was anointed by the God of Israel, He did not anoint Himself. Jesus knew why He was sent, no one had to tell Him; He understood why He was sent, no one had to explain it to Him; He rejoiced in why He was sent, no one had to motivate Him.

His place, His person, His position, His passion, His purpose, flowed out of the anointing He carried as the one sent by God.

Jesus the Christ !
 

Santa’s Beard

 

 

“I’m the oldest, so let me be first,” I said to my younger brother and sister. 

It was a few weeks before Christmas, and Mother had agreed to take us downtown to view the Holiday window displays with all the animated figures at the major stores.   

Inside the Largest store was a Santa Clause sitting on a large throne waiting for the children with their lists of wishes. 

Now I must let you know that my mother had already told us kids that there was NO Santa Clause. 

 

She explained that it is a story about a good man who is no longer alive, but the story lives.  Each year, men dress up like Santa and it is sort of a game.  We know the truth, but it would be fun for you children to visit Santa and get a free candy cane. 

So here we were in line waiting for our turn to tell Santa what we wanted for Christmas and receive the free candy. 

I told Santa I wanted a doll with eyes that opened and closed and she must say Mama.  Since I am the investigating type, I looked very carefully at his disguise, and said “Thank you,” as I took my candy. 

I spoke to my brother, “Allen, it is your turn next, but look closely at his beard and you will see a red string just under his chin.” 

Perhaps Allen was not quite as observant as I was, because at first glance, he could not see the red ribbon.  He tilted his head and tried to look under Santa’s beard causing some embarrassment to Santa. 

 

When Allen was satisfied the beard was fake, he told Santa he wanted an electric train and left with his free candy. 

~ ~ ~

 

In life, all is not always as it seems.  We listen to the promises of the politicians and are confused when we discover their many lies. 

We pay good money so our children can attend college to discover many professors are teaching them to hate America and Israel, and cast away all morals learned at their mothers knee.  Some middle school teachers are requiring students to learn about the Muslim faith, and say a prayer to Allah.

Anymore we wonder what is fake and what is real.

I am reminded of the old hymn, “Standing on the Promises of God.”  It is in God’s Word that we will find the answer to REAL Eternal Life, by following the REAL Jesus.  He is the Way the Truth and the Life.

May we take a good look at the manger, the walk of Jesus, the cross and the empty tomb, and His promise to return. 

 

You will find that there is a red line running all through the Bible and it is the blood of Jesus to wash away all our iniquity.

~ ~ ~ ~


P.S.  I shared this story at my church on Sunday morning, and when I sat down, our Pastor said, "We don't always agree with people's opinions about politics and I doubt very much if our schools are teaching our children to hate America and to embrace the Islam way of life." 

~ ~ ~

(Me again) The sad thing is that our schools began to fail many years ago when the Bible and prayer was removed from our schools.  Muslims admit they are using a system called the "Trojan Horse."  It is to slowly slip in a bit here and there until they finally take over.  Many college students are refusing to say the pledge of Allegiance to our flag, and history books are being rewritten.  It pays to do a Google search with the questions, "Are our children being taught to hate America and a second question, Are our children being taught to embrace Islam."  It might surprise you what comes up when you do some research.

 

The Tension of a New Highway

PREPARING our Highway to Heaven 

 

Today at our church, was the lightening of the second candle for Advent.  The first message was “Watch,” and the second is to: “Prepare.”  Isaiah prophesied about John the Baptist.

Isaiah 40:3-5  The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert, A highway for our God. ⁴Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 

Pastor Jerry read from Isaiah 40:1-11 and from Mark 1:1-8. 

I took notes and edited his sermon.  - - When we think of highways, some are dangerous, with turns, and bumps. As engineers plan new routes, and better roads, the changes are safer and please us. 

In his Gospel book Mark was direct and abrupt as he took us straight to John the Baptist, a desert preacher, a wild looking man, simply clothed and eating locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:7-8 And John preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.  I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

Isaiah offers comfort in the place of testing for the people were not where they wanted to be.  He presented Hope, that a Savior would come, but there was preparation needed.

John urges to prepare your hearts and repent from your sins.  His message filled a need as people flocked to hear his words.

Commitment may need to be renewed as God comes out to meet us. 

We may have been twisting and turning in our walk, and there have been rough places that need to be straightened out and perhaps widened out. 

God leaves the road improvement up to us; we might be following Christ, but have prejudices', are tight fisted with our money, not being kind to family and friends, refusing to use our talents to do God's work, dodging responsibility and ignoring the needs of others. 

These aspects of our lives take us on detours and hinder our Christian walk. 

We all come today on a Spiritual Highway, that might need to be engineered and pot holes need to be filled.  Likewise Spiritual bottlenecks need to be unblocked. 

We may need to sit in silence and listen to how God directs us to make these changes in our spiritual road.  We cannot change the highway that others walk, but it is necessary that we allow God to change "ME." 

Our world is a dangerous wilderness out there. 

We must build a signpost to guide others and join with them as we Prepare to take the straight newly paved highway. 

We are reminded that our Lord Christ Jesus is always by our side as we travel on His Highway.