Exloring Life Eternal

RE: August 31, 2005

Someone who does not know me & only recently met my wife urged me to quit the ministry of sharing the need to pray because of my lack of insurance & benefits. I have insurance, thank you very much. My Boss has my life insured for centuries, even eternity. As far as benefits, let's just say that my retirement plan is beyond imagination!! The friend also urged me to seek deliverance ... from the very thing [a need for sleep] which God has used repeatedly to keep me dependant upon & resting in His grace.

It was not an easy moment, but God has provided a means for strength in times of immense opposition & discouragement. As the dishes were washed, our Father & i had a heart to heart. While our hosts were away, the house was cleaned up, cleaner than when we had come. A tree was freed of some pests. During our time there, the driveway was freed of weeds. The yard/garden was cleaned of some thistles. The old oven was out & a new oven was in & working, in answer to prayer!! The fridge was also taken out & a new one brought in. The frige had been a puzzle for the moving team to bring in, but the Lord gave us wisdom how to bring it in.

That evening I took my wife to a hotel since we had to leave to make room for the family & their plans. At the hotel, we asked for the lowest priced room: 1 bed, 1 night, non-smoking. They couldn't meet the request with non-smoking (a must for a good night's sleep), so they took $20-30 off of a hotel-room that had a hot-tub that was $20 more than a regular room.

Apparently, there were few hotel rooms available: 100,000 people were going to be crowded into a stadium this coming weekend. The desk clerk told me that they could take in few comforts with them: no food, water, umbrellas, etc. Instead they would have to pay top dollar for basic things we usually take for granted in the outside world. The fellow at the desk said that it was all because of 9/11, "But, if we have to have these things for security, it is worth it." He grinned, "But they are gonna feel they like they are in hell."

Why, what is the reason for all this, I had asked, "What is the game?"

"No mercy."

I have a better game: Happy are those who are merciful, for they will receive mercy!! So when he said that that was how those folks were going to feel, I burst out, "I am so glad I'm going to heaven instead!!" The odd thing about all this is that the people are choosing to go there. They are not being persecuted & forced to suffer. They are not going to hear good news, but to watch a bunch of guys beat up on each other.

This weekend is a time called, "Escapade." My wife "Lydia" has noted as I took her too & from work each day & evening: The girls hardly wear any clothes & they all dress "like a bunch of cheap girls." The streets are lined with folks until late at night. For many, it is a time when they can break free from parents, from restraint, from authority, and rebel. Some 130+ years ago, the University of Michigan was founded on a basis of free-thinking (i.e. not tethered by any authority, most especially not the Bible.)

Now, there are lots of thistles in the area, literally. There are witch gatherings regularly. There are security hastles. There are morality problems. There are wealth problems in this state. There are wars & rumors of wars. etc. Hmmm ... Is there a connection between these things?

In the midst of all this, as I visited my wife at work, a fellow offered me a candy in exchange for $ on the way into get a bite to eat with my wife. I cheerfully said, "I don't have any cash," because I don't carry any as a general rule. He looked at me, as though he wanted what I have, and gave me some candy anyways. I tried to refuse, but he would not let me. So I took it, gave the treat to my wife & used the restroom while she waited on other customers. There, I found 2 small copper coins, picked them up & knew just who to give them to. I washed my hands, went out, & my "Lydia" had a snack ready for me. Off I headed. The Lord provided another gift to return to the man, exactly the same kind as he had given me. I reached in my pocket & was able to return to the man not only a candy stick, but also $0.12. (Surely, the apostle's are worth more than a penny each! But if you asked them for their 2 cents worth, I'm sure they would have overflowed with words about Jesus & His goodness to us.)

That evening, I was able to get 2 Azaleas for us for around $1.50 total + some for others!! But God's grace, my "Lydia" had the money for this month's food, we had $ for rent, & a pleasant evening. As I walked with the Lord in the cool of the evening, I saw 3 little stinkers leaving the area.

What a blessing!

It was indeed a refreshing day!! Today is the day of the Lord's salvation.

Will we look up, look around, & see the goodness of our God?