Compassion

Luke 7:13

When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!”

Back to the character of Jesus and what can I learn from the situation.

Jesus was following a funeral process of a widow's young son. This probably was significant since she was along and now her only son who some day would provide for her was now dead.

Jesus approached the procession and saw the grief of the widow and he heart overflowed and he had compassion on her ans said."don't cry"

He then proceed to the coffin of the young man and touch the coffin and said to the young man, "get up"

I would probably got tot he funeral and said, "What can I do here?" How can I fix this.
I would not have had it in the right order.

Jesus did. He first showed compassion and them took care of the situation. Compassion and connection with people is what drove the motivation of Jesus. The fixing of things was just as important, but secondary to the compassion he showed his people.

Lord, help me be a person of compassion and live as you mold me in to the person you want me to be for YOU.

"God visits his people on this day and for days to come showing compassion and love on the Adventure in Middle Grove"

Hiding Place

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7



Out of the attacks of evil come the victories of God and the victory of God's people. Let me find my strength and protection in Him! Let me make God my hiding place, my source of security, and my hope in times of trouble.


Lord, thank you for the confidence I have in your power and your might to deliver me from every attack of the evil one. You are worthy of all glory, honor, power, and praise today on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Fighting through the pain

Even though times of transition are tough, the riches of refinement are worth the pain of loneliness and frustration






I found this quote last night and thought is was appropriate to what I was reading about hope.

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Psalm 23:18


The present will yield to the future and the future is based on the present realities and situations in life and how they are handled.

The past is no longer relevant in control of the future but is a touch point for learning about how to handle the future.

Some times the path to the future leads through pain and suffering to get to the hope on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Ready for Joy?

Verses for meditation and memorization this week.






If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you

(John 15:10-12 NIV).


If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves

(Philippians 2:1-3)

When I surrender my will to His, get rid of my ego, sacrifice for the good of others, welcome God's presence into my life, and express my love to others, the Scriptures promise that our joy can be complete. I can experience this by giving my life to Him completely.

Joy is His promise to us today on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16




Even though we are God's holy children, we also need to be aware of what time it is in our world. Evil still exercises control over the hearts of many people. God wants us to "redeem the time," making the most of every opportunity we have to touch the lives of others with his grace and to resist the temptation and overcome the opposition of the evil one.

LORD, give me wisdom to discern the best way to use my time and my influence. Open my eyes to see opportunities in my path. Give me courage and sensitivity to know the best way to bless others according to their needs on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Rear View Mirror

Only hold on to what you have until I come...

Revelation 2:25



One thing about the Christian faith is the main prize is something we will claim when we enter eternity with our maker.

Everything else in life is waiting for this to happen. This is not a fatalistic look at life but the reality of living in a fallen world. Our view of life is looking through a set of glasses looking forward.

There is no rear view mirror looking back.

The work done on earth is preparation for what will come. The prize is something we will never see until we move on to ...until he comes.

Lord, be with me today, while we still venture together on the path of life while traveling on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Going Without

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6


I find it amazing about all the things people believe in. The recent fiasco out west called "balloon boy" is a great example of how desperate people are to seek reassurance.

But for the wrong reasons.

If you are not familiar with the story, here is a link.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/opinion/25rich.html?em

This dad needed to have something to grab on to so he totally fabricated the story for his own good. His faith was in the notoriety and exposure he would get from the national news.

He did get it. Cable watching doubled the afternoon of his farce. He put his family, and himself in a realm of believing that he needed to create an event so people would know who he was.

He was placing his faith in himself and exploiting his family and the nation.

Our faith must be in the God of the universe, not in ourselves or any other being or event.

God does exist, today, on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Forever

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."

Proverbs 17:17






I have been writing alot about friends and how important they are to me.

A friend is always loyal....

Loyalty is out of fashion now. Turning on people and not being loyal is in vogue.

Some times I think hate is more important than love.

A friend like a brother is a friend I need today on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Dawn

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious
and compassionate and righteous man.

Psalm 112:4




Today I am sitting on the shores of Lake George as the sun tries to push through the clouds of fall. The 74 degree day of yesterday has degraded to 37 of this morning. Dawn still arrives, clouds or no clouds.


What a powerful promise! Just as night passes into dawn, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous, dawn comes even in the worst nights of deep spiritual darkness. The Holy Spirit is reminding me that even in those worst times of ym depression and dismay, Satan's darkness will not rule forever. His darkness cannot stay where Jesus' disciples reflect the character of the
Light of the world. God is always light, never dark. Jesus is the light that God sent to the earth to save us, sinners. I need to look at the dawn of a new day and not look back on the darkness of the night behind. I need to follow the light of God.

Lord, help me to shine your light of holiness and Jesus' light of hope to those trapped in darkness. O God, please forgive my sinful failures. Please cleanse me and create a pure heart in me. I don't want to dim or to diminish your light as it shines through me. Help me so that I can more perfectly shine your light to those around me on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

That sure smells good!

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."

Proverbs 27:9, NLT


I am sure I have friends!
Isolation and turning away from friends leads to lost opportunities of growth and can leave to a life of bitterness. Good friends are a stabilizing factor in life. They are:

The Voice of reason
The Call of comfort
The Rest for restlessness
The Gentle whisper in the storm
The Reassuring hug in turmoil

That's what friends are for on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

You are the company you keep

"Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, "

Proverbs 22:24, NLT


Do you have people at work or at even church who are never happy? They may have better ideas or thoughts but they are always mean! It drives you down and the energy in the room seems to be depleted as soon as they enter the room. There are also people who are positive and forward looking. When they come in to the room, you can feel the energy.

These are the people we need to associate with in life. Much more can be done if we are all working together and are not angry or hot tempered.

Lord, today, let me be a positive influence in someone's life as we travel together on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Seeking Good

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

Amos 5:14



Watching the news every day is a good example of how NOT this verse is worked out. Most of what I see on the TV is "seeking evil."


People who are greedy,

people who kill,

people who hate other cultures,

people who are vindictive.

People seeking evil!

God is clear that I need to seek good and we , as Christians, need to seek good.

Lord,be with me today as I seek good on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Hospitality

Hebrews 13:2 (New International Version)

2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.



The Adventure in Middle Grove started a new direction this past weekend. For many years, my home was a place of refuge for others who needed respite or a place to stay in transition.

Saratoga Simple Life has it's first guests. I had someone move in this weekend and another person planned for later this year. It is difficult to find people who want to be part of a home and not just renting a room. I am very careful about who moves in and require a number of recommendations. The person who just moved in just happens to be a friend of someone I have know for over 30 years. This is for another time. What is important is wherever you are in life, whether you own or rent a house or apartment, your home can be a refuge for someone who needs a place to rest for some reason. Today, let this place be a place of refuge on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Let's Party!

"The king was very angry. The king sent his army to kill those people that killed his servants. And the army burned their city. After that, the king said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready. I invited those people, but they were not good enough to come to my feast. So go to the street corners and invite all the people you see. Tell them to come to my feast.' So the servants went into the streets. They gathered all the people they could find. The servants brought good people and bad people to the place where the wedding feast was ready. And that place was filled with people."

Matthew 22:7-10



Tough start to a party!

God wants to throw a party! So there will be a party!! Just because many people refuse God and do not accept his invitation does not mean he will forget those who have paid the price to come to the banquet. Not only will he reward them, but he is absolutely determined to fill his hall with thankful and rejoicing guests. But he will also deal harshly with those who have dealt harshly with his servants and who have not only spurned his invitation, but been merciless to his beloved children.Yesterday was a day of reflection and meditation on the thoughts in this verse. I am looking forward to the party to meet Rick again.



Lord, I do look forward to the day when all that I hold dear is proved true. While I care those who will not know your salvation, I long for the day when those who have honored Jesus as Lord and have received your grace will get to share in his glory. Until then, I will keep moving on the path on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Not Close Enough for Comfort

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18





The LORD is ... ... near! ... present! ... close! How do I know? He came close in the manger. He walked among me in ministry to the world. He suffered with me and for me at Calvary. I know that in tragedy, trial, heartbreak, and brokenness he is near to me to save me. So, will my heart be open to him and will I be seeking him to come near? Don't let troubles or heartache lead me to pull away from God or doubt his nearness. Let him draw close to me.Today would have been Rick's 31st birthday. A life cut short... I know where he is, there is no doubt. The tragedy, heart break and brokenness he suffered is gone. He is free from the pain of this side of heaven. He is close to God.

LORD, please be near me today. Make your presence known in my life. Father, I also ask that you bless those I know who are struggling with their faith, and with broken and disappointed
hearts. Please be active in their lives and make your presence known, today, on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Happy Birthday!

Be Still

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act."


Psalm 37:7, NLT


Some things I am good at.....

Some not so good!


Not so good

Be still

Wait patiently

The grip of cold causes an increased stillness in the air and the activity of nature begins to slow.

As the weather changes to a slower pace, let me be still in your presence as I wait patiently for your plans to unfold on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Motivational Speaker

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. "

Hebrews 10:24, NLT



You else do we have but us?

This is not a passive activity.

The verse says, "Think" and "do"

Not just think about things but actual make a difference in another person's life.

To make a real difference.

To make a positive change.

Lord, help me motivate others and be a positive influence on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Being Good

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
-- Galatians 6:10



I need to be a person who does good deeds! When God gives me the opportunity, I need take it! Not take it so I get accolades or credit. Just to do it because God has touched my heart and I want to share a little bit of his love and compassion with someone else.


The second part of this verse is something where I am benefiting, directly.
I have a small group of friends, near and far who are a blessing far more than they even know.

They are a source of comfort when I need a shoulder to cry on

A source of wisdom when I am stupid

A source of strength when I am weak

A source of encouragement when I am discouraged

A source of love, when I feel unloved A source of care when I need caring


And...

Always a source of friendship, no matter what the situation.

As fellow believers, they are living out the charge in Galatians. The Bible is not just a dead book. It is a living document that seeks and challenges me to put in to action what is said on the pages. My friends are a living example of what this means! My life would not be the same if I did not have the friends who-

"do good for one of the family of believers"

I thank God each day for their testimony of grace and mercy and how they "do good"


Only you are truly good, Father, but I pray that some of that goodness may be seen in me as I serve you today, this week, and until the time the Savior returns for me in glory. Help me to be aware the opportunities that you give me to do good. Most importantly, thank you for friends who know you and how you are using them to minister to me in many different ways as the Adventure in Middle Grove continues...

Sharpen the Blade

"Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. "

Proverbs 12:18, NLT


I have talked alot about people who do not like their jobs and are generally miserable people. I think there is also too much of "trash talking" in society in general.

Putting people down seems to be a sport these days with it happening in sports to politics.

Respect seems to be something of history.

Healing words a whisper in the noise of an angry society.

A kind gesture not in evidence in a society where "mean people"seem to be in vogue.

BE KIND today and say an encouraging word to a friend or co-worker today.

Be encouraging in someone's life on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Working in the Mill

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
Colossians 3:23



Today is a day off for many people, including me. Sometimes being a government worker is a good thing!

One of the things I see at work every day is people who really hate their jobs. I do not know how they get up every day and have for 30 years. All they do is complain about things they have no control over. I am in the business of serving the people, many of my co-workers would say,their jobs would be great if it wasn't for the people!

I really love my job and the people who work for me. We have a great team with a great attitude to do what is needed to get the job done. ( By the way... they are all union employees )

I would like to think that my attitude of service and going beyond what is needed has makes an impact in their work. We have fun at work and heard an interesting comment from someone who was coming to our building. She said, I come over to your office because everyone is always happy. I don't know if I would go that far but we do have a good time and like what we do.

I look at work as an extension of my faith and God is honored when I do a good job and my group is going beyond ordinary.

Lord, continue to guide me in my work as I look to work for you on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Live in Peace

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

Colossians 3:15, NLT

Living in peace with yourself is hard

Living in peace with people close to you is harder

Living in peace with others is real hard

Living with those in the body of Christ.....WOW, that must be impossible!

How many relationships are damaged in all these situations?

Many, I am afraid.

Always live in peace and be thankful on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Save your fork

I found this story and wanted to share it with you today






The best is yet to come!


There's an old story about an elderly woman who was told by her physician that she probably wouldn't live much longer. Soon thereafter, she called in her family to discuss her funeral arrangements. They talked about how the service would be, where she would be buried, what
kind of casket would be used, etc. As the conversation was winding down, the woman remarked, "There's one thing that's very important: I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

Her children were understandably puzzled by that remark, and one of them couldn't contain his curiosity. "Mom," he said, "what are you talking about?" "I remember eating with my family when I was a young girl," the woman began, "Each of us would help clear away the dishes. Every once in a while, mom would tell us, 'Save your fork!' We children knew what that meant. It meant that mom had fixed us a pie or a cake or some sort of treat. When she said 'Save your fork!' that meant the best was yet to come.

So I want to be buried with a fork in my hand, for the best is yet to come!"

It's a lovely story, a beautiful illustration of hope. In Spanish, the word "esperar" means "hope," but it also means "wait." You wait for a bus, and you hope it's coming; the same word is used in both cases. It's the same in the biblical languages. Our hope is built around the
expectation of something that is to come.

The best is yet to come

The apostle Paul wrote to a group of new Christians in the city of Thessalonica, talking of the reputation these Christians had. He wrote, "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven" (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). We have hope because we are waiting for someone. He will bring us something wonderful, a life without pain or sadness.

We have hope because we know the best is yet to come. We have hope because we are waiting, waiting for our Lord to come back.Save your fork, on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Fruit of Fall

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5, NLT



Sorry for the lateness today....

I am at a conference and I had to do 2 presentations today. One of them involved a live demo which we needed to make sure everything really worked.

I am in Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes of NY. What a spot.

This is a beautiful hotel at the end of the lake.

One of the more attractive places I have stayed.

It is worth a look.

http://www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com/

Could not afford this during the year. Watkins Glen is a world class race track and when racing season is on the hotel is completely fill with people who pay alot of money for rooms!

The other thing the area is know for is grapes. There are over 50 large vineyards in Schuyler County.

I thought it appropriate to look at what the vine and the branches mean and how important connection to the root ( Jesus) and the vine ( his people) is in the grand scheme of life.

If you are growing grapes, the farther away the vine is from the branches, the less nourishment it gets. ...Hence, small grapes. This is why people are in the vineyards in the cold of winter, pruning the vine.

It needs to be close to the root to produce good fruit.


Lord, continue you prune my vine so I may be close to the root today on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Rick

Good Stuff....BAD Stuff

There are times when it is difficult to understand how “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). Yet, with proper perspective we can “consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).





God has the unfailing power to bring good from all circumstances that come our way. But what we see as “good” often depends on our perspective.


What is your perspective of where you are right now?

I think we tend to see good as small and bad as BIG

I have been in a situation for a long time where the good things we think small and the bad things big.

Why is this so?

I believe there is a view of God that he is there watching over the earth waiting to strike us down from the mountain. God is a God of justice but he is also a God of love and mercy.

Lord, let me be a person who looks to you for your love and mercy, today, on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

It

Standing on the Podium

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ... All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things


(Philippians 3:12-15 TNIV).

I MUST REALIZE GOD HAS A GOAL FOR MY LIFE

Paul says, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” The words I want to see are the words, “that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Paul understood that the Lord took hold of his life with a goal in mind.

And this is true for me..

God’s desire is that I grow.

Why is this important? First, It's important to realize that God's goal is not just to "get me in the door". He is not looking to merely "save me", He is working to "transform me" toward holiness.

But second, it is important to realize that God has a job for me to do. He has called me TO something. I am a part of His plan. God DOES have a plan for my life. His plan will lead me to joy, fulfillment, contentment and eternal blessing.

I HAVE NOT ARRIVED YET

Paul not only recognizes that the Lord has a grand purpose for his life, He realizes that he has not arrived at that purpose yet. Paul knows he is not what he should be. He is aware of his faults and the areas where he still needs to grow. Paul recognizes that he is not finished yet.

My Christian life is a life of growth and maturity . . . much like life itself. Growth takes time. As diligently as Paul worked at his faith, he still had not arrived. I get discouraged . . . but I need to keep moving forward.

I am not there yet.

DON’T LIVE IN THE PAST

Paul tells me that if I want to be focused on our growth I must “forget the past”. Obviously Paul is not telling me to literally not remember anything. Certainly I should remember who I was before Christ found me. I should remember the times we have seen God’s faithfulness demonstrated. I need to remember the mistakes I've made so I can avoid them in the future.

Forgiveness is the key from the past that will unlock the future

What it does mean?

When Paul talks about forgetting he is telling me that I can’t and must not live in the past. What happened in the past is past and I must keep going forward. There are two reasons I need to forget the past. First, I have a tendency to fixate on the past. I will hold on to some bad experience and it will become an anchor that weighs me down. I will remember a hurt that someone inflicted and it will eat me up. I will remember a time when I stumbled and I will determine to never try again. How I deal with the painful times of the past will determine how I live in the present. I must learn from the pain and then move on.

What God has forgiven should never be taken as a burden again.

Second, I have a tendency to rest on the past. I will replay the past victories and be content to remember instead of continuing to push ahead. I must forget the past and focus on the present.

He tells me that he is stretching forward and he is reaching for his goal. He is not only concentrating, he is straining forward. The image is like that of running in a race. You see people in a race leaning forward to try to beat their opponent to the tape. This is the image Paul uses for his desire to grow spiritually.

KEEP MY EYE ON THE GOAL

Paul tells me that he must always keep his eyes on the prize. It is like the Olympic athlete who trains tirelessly for a gold medal at the Olympics. When they get tired they imagine what it will be like to stand on the platform and hear the National Anthem of their country being played. That picture spurs them on.

Lord, grant me the power and wisdom to stretch forward to the goal I can only obtain with you on the Adventure in Middle Grove

No Shakin

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."

Hebrews 12:28-29




There  has been unusually seismic activity over the past 3 weeks and Tsunamis events. In the past few days there have been more than usual. One of the things I follow, OK no comments, is earth quakes. After a large event , I go to the US Geological Service and follow seismic activity to see what happens in the rest of the world, There  is usually a reciprocal effect after a large earth quake.

Actually there was a fairly strong quake in California this morning at 1:00 AM

Here is the web site if you want to look.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/

God says something about this.Every earth-made empire will eventually topple. Every man-made structure will decay and fall. God, however, has given us a kingdom that can't rust, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for us. It won't rot or ruin and no thief can break in and steal it away. It will not go away or disappear and will not show up on the seismic scale.

Lord, help me to not be shaken as I rely on you today on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

The Last Standing

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.

1 Peter 1:24, New International Version




This seems very appropriate as I sit and look over the fields in the back of the house. The grass is starting to turn brown and the trees are losing the leaves of summer. In the Northeast we really understand this verse as the seasons change and move to the cold and dark of winter. God's word transcends the cold of winter and continues to warm our hearts even in the face of short days and long snow storms.

Lord, let my heart not wither as the leaves falling from the trees but lift me up to be closer to you on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

It is About Relationships

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. "
Galatians - Chapter 6:2

This is re-write of a piece written over a year ago but I thought it was very appropriate for today.
Yesterday, I had a time out with some very good friends. They are people who care about me just as much as I care about them. It is about what we can do for each other. It is about the importance of relationships.

The woman at the well. Jesus was talking about relationships

The tax collector. Jesus was talking about relationships

The cripple. It was about friends and relationships

The critically ill woman. It was about relationships


The Bible is filled with stories about relationships. My pray today is God would continue to teach me to value the relationships I have in family and friends on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Another Shot in Life

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23


Last night I had one of my hockey nights. As I approach another birthday, I am continually reminded that my body does not work like it did 20 years ago.I am in great shape and I play goal with people much younger than me.

Alright, this is somewhat insignificant but you might get the idea. Playing goal in a pick up league means I do not get any rest. I play for 1:30 minutes, no stop. All the other players get to change when they are tired. I have to stay there , in goal. There are no subs or between period rests. I have to take shot after shot.

Just like life...

There are no subs and you don't know what happens next...

Just like playing goal!

Al you need to do is to get up, shake it off and get ready for what is next,

If I did not have hope that I was going to stop the next shot, I would quit playing. No matter how bad it gets, I have hope that the next shot will be a save,

Just like Life.

Yes and sometimes I have to admit it.... goals do get scored.

The hope I have in Christ is not like a crazy driver going down the road or the uncontrolled goaltender who has no hope of stopping the next shot.

It is also like the championship racer who who is driving over 2oo mph in a race and his goal is to drive as straight as possible. Even on the turns, the driver tries to drive a straight line.

My hope is just like the driver in a race or the goaltender on the ice, because Christ's promise is faithful!

Lord, my hope is in you. remind me every day to keep it straight on the path on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

ps. and help me stop those shots!

Hoping for HOPE?

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:5





Simplicity in life is Found in Hope


I keep coming back to Hope. As I continue to walk down the path I look to the leading of God.
But, I really do not know what he is doing. As I have seen, I can make the plan down the path but God will put my next step down as he guides me.

What is the time period between lifting my foot and allowing God to put in down on the path?

It is the Time HOPE.

It is the time of uncertainty and doubt.
It is the time of restlessness and impatience
It is the time of fear and darkness
It is the time of loneliness and anxiety

It is the Time of HOPE

Hope has lost it's punch in modern western vocabulary. It hardly qualifies as an adequate translation of the meaning in most New Testament passages. Hope is the assurance that what we believe will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have that spiritual confidence because more than just a wish, more than just an emotion, more than just a belief rests in our hearts; God himself lives in us through his Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, Jesus pours out the Spirit upon us (Titus 3:3-7) as God's gift to us (Acts 2:38; 5:32) to cleanse us (1 Cor. 6:11), make us part of the same Body (1 Cor. 12:12-13), and live inside us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul adds one more thing to that list of blessings from God's presence within us -- God's love. We don't just have it; God keeps refreshing it through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (John 7:37-39).

HOPE is not rubbing the magic lamp and asking the genie to grant my wish. Hope is a reliance on the Holy Spirit to work in my life and those around me in miraculous ways of forgiveness and healing.

Holy and Almighty God, awesome in power and majestic in holiness, thank you for not only coming to us in Jesus, but thank you also for living in me through your Spirit. Please pour your love into my heart so that the fruit of your grace may flow from me to those around me and everyone around me will know of your grace.

Let HOPE reign today as you plant my next step on the Adventure in Middle Grove.