2019 REFLECTIONS

Boat Launch #2 - Gifford Pinchot State Park 

We've just pushed off the 2019 shore, so I thought it would be a good day to reflect on how scripture has been helpful during my life journey. My first scripture verse goes back more than 50 years when our Father's compassion captured me on a lonely road in Harrisburg PA. Ever since then my favorite verse has been:

Luke 15:20 "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Click SPECIAL VISIT 

I am so grateful for God's grace - from that day more than 50 years ago to today. But I've had a lot of help along the way. No one matures alone, and I am reminded how others in my church community showed God love during the last two decades. Click TWO GOOD DECADES

Based on the kindness shown to me, I've made this next verse my "go to" for instruction on how I should live my life....

Ephesians 4:1-3 "I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere." 

Click EASY STREET

"And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.” 

Today Christ remains the most valuable treasure in my life. This God given realization fuels my desire to live in a way that all things are secondary to Him. And get this! Even when my resolve to cling to Him fades, He gives further grace. Click LIFE PRAYER

Philippians 1:20 "No matter what, I will continue to hope and passionately cling to Christ, so that He will be openly revealed through me before everyone’s eyes. So I will not be ashamed! In my life or in my death, Christ will be magnified in me."

I approach 2019 with fire in my bones - and with my remaining energy and freedom, I plan to pour out my life for Christ. “Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. I now realize that God will be most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him.

Isaiah 30:18 "Therefore the Lord waits [expectantly] and longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed (happy, fortunate) are all those who long for Him [since He will never fail them]." (James 4:5) The Holy Spirit whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us — and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] — with a jealous love.” 

Click FINAL REFLECTIONS

....... to be continued