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