Good thoughts Paul.  Thanks for the encouragement.

I'm so glad that where we have been or where we are is just a temporary
thing.  We're on our way to something ooooo so much better.

Vicki

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ariel" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 5:36 PM
Subject: Early Morning Lessons


> Hey, Family
>
> I just wanted to share a few quick reminders the LORD gave me early today
as
> a sort of praise.  No deep Scriptures He reminded me of or anything, just
a
> few simple thoughts.
>
> This morning I weighed myself and was frustrated to find that even though
> I've been exercising more than ever for the past week and eating healthy I
> still haven't lost much weight (although thinking about it again I do
think
> I lost about 5 pounds).  Anyway, I said to myself "Even if I don't lose
any
> weight, I'm going to keep eating right and keep exercising anyway, because
> it's the right thing to do."  Just then I thought "That's what we need to
do
> as Believers, too.  Even if we don't see any results, we need to keep on
> keeping on and not give up because we know it's the right thing to do.
And
> we will see results at Home in Heaven if not before."  (Come to think of
it,
> there is a Scripture "Do not grow weary in well doing, for at the right
time
> you will reap results, if you don't give up.", Galatians 6:9)
>
> Then, right after this and while I was still getting ready for work, I saw
a
> clip of the Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over the
> Rainbow."  It sounds sissy, but as a boy I'd sing that song, alone and
> brokenhearted in a very strange household, longing to be free and having
no
> way out.  And I suddenly realized, perhaps for the first time, that the
LORD
> had done it...He got me out of there. And I really have had wonderful
> adventures for years that I couldn't have imagined back then.
>
> Richard Bach (the author of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" and "The Bridge
> Across Forever" is a wacko new ager.  But he did have one thing right,
that
> sometimes it's good to not forget where you came from.  His New Age thing
is
> to write a note to the child you were.  I don't know about that, but I
know
> it's a blessing to realize the LORD has brought me through a lot of stuff
to
> a wonderful new world "over the rainbow."  And all of this is nothing
> compared to the glory that awaits in Heaven.
>
> Then, just that fast, the enemy snuck in the thought of how it could all
be
> gone in a moment, from sickness (flu shots...grin) or loss of job or
> demotion at work, etc.  But thankfully, the LORD came back with an answer
> that it's okay, I'm just a pilgrim and not to be setting up camp here
> anyway.
>
> So, nothing big, but an interesting way to start the day and praises I
> wanted to share.  And maybe they'll spur some praises in you.
>
> Paul
>