#61 One day! "Thoughts from the Back Deck..."

One day...

There will be no need to write from my "back deck" or need for books or sermon series or church services or Bible studies...

One day...

There will no need to be waiting for an endoscopy and a biopsy or any other kind of procedures or medications...

One day...

There will not be tumors or cysts or fear of cancer or other health issues or accidents...

One day...

There will be no separation due to divorce or, distance or age or life circumstances or war...

One day...

There will be no wondering or seeking what God's will is for we will know it perfectly...

One day...

There will be no tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain...

One day...
And Oh, what a glorious day that shall be!
But until that day, I keep clinging to Jesus and pray you do as well!

Revelation chapter 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 

To quote the modern day philosopher known as "interesting man": "Stay thirsty my friends" 

Now smile (it really is ok to smile!) and be assured, until that day the Holy Spirit is with you and me! 

Thanks mom for raising me in the faith. "Well done good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your master."

*In memory of my mom who now rests with her savior. My last picture with her when she was still able to somewhat remember who I was. 2019

Peace out 
Andy 

stpaullakeland.org

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#78 Thoughts from the Back Deck. Servant Leadership

Image
More of my orchids are coming into bloom. Once a week, I take time to carefully water each plant. I am careful that I don't get water in the plant's stem and where the leaf grows out of it, because it will often rot and destroy the leaf. In Florida's, "winter season" I make sure each plant gets exposed to colder temps for a week or more, but careful not to be exposed to freezing temps. That cold exposure allows the plant to reset and assures the plant to bloom in the spring. Sometimes I need to re-pot the orchids. A bigger pot. A change in the medium the orchids are potted in is not an uncommon task. I don't spend hours on the orchids but I do consistently care for them. Being faithful to little things gives me a beautiful benefit, and I enjoy the long-lasting blooms! As a pastor, I have had people come to me and express a desire to get involved. I try to listen and get a sense of a person's interests, spirit...
Read more

#77 Thoughts from the back deck of my friend's house in Michigan... Two Roads.

Image
Robert Frost The Road Not Taken Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. I have been at a pastor's conference this week in Michigan. The colors have been amazing. I have walked daily, as much for a chance to take in the beauty as for my health. I spent time with fellow church workers learning and ...
Read more

#15 Shorter Days, Thoughts from the back deck...

Image
#15, Shorter days?! I sit on my back deck at about the same time every morning but the morning light marks the changes of seasons once again. This photo is from a Keys sunrise fishing trip a few years back, I still hold to the premise that a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work. Time appears to be short.  More darkness than light.  That is another premise I hear a lot these days. People who feel that way are not talking about the change of seasons. There is a certain amount of anxiousness we can feel as we look at the world. I feel it too as many of you do. I have to fight buying into that premise.  Why do I fight it and why should you fight it?  The premise is based in fear. And fear is a tool of the devil. He uses it to bring doubt in Jesus and that is never a good place to look at life from.  What if time is short? What does that mean? That Jesus will be coming soon. That is nothing to fear but to look forward to! What if time i...
Read more