Shall Not

I had an interesting devotional yesterday. The "Shall Not"s of Scripture.

We often hear that people don't want to become a Christian for all they think they'll have to give up with their idea of all the "thou shalt not"s in the Bible such as the Ten Commandments.

Those of us who are Christians know that if God gives us a "thou shalt not" He surely gives us something far better to replace it.

But I never stopped to think of this view of the "shall not"s!

Ps. 34:10 "...they that seek the LORD SHALL NOT want any good thing."

Ps. 23:1 "The LORD is my Shepherd, I SHALL NOT want."

John 5:24 "He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sentme, hath everylasting life, and SHALL NOT come into condemnation."

John 8:12 "He that followth Me SHALL NOT walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Psalm 16:8 "The LORD...is at my right hand, I SHALL NOT be moved;..."

Psalm 37:24 "Though he fall, SHALL NOT be utterly ast down: for the LORD upholdeth himj with His hand."

Isaiah 43:2 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they SHALL NOT overflow thee."

Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words SHALL NOT pass away."

Mathew 16:18 "Upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell SHALL NOT prevail against it."

Romans 6:14 "Sin SHALL NOT have dominion over you."

I think these "shall not"s outweigh anything thing one might have to give up, don't you?

Pretty amazing isn't it?

Relationships

Today, after church, we had lunch with some old friends and some new friends. The new and the old hadn't met before, but it was fun to see how with God in common there is no barrier. We enjoyed laughing together.

Relationships, fellowship with other believers, is such a wonderful gift from God.

To be able to laugh together, share what God has and is doing, it's all just such a blessing.

A taste of heaven? A time when we're together with all the saints from time past to time future, where we all have one major bond that gives us instant friendship. And Jesus in the midst of us. Amazing thought!

I'm just so thankful for all my friendships, at all levels, and the joy of fellowship.

Realization

Today was the funeral of a good friend's mother-in-law. As I saw her and talked with her and went through the service I was reminded of what friendship is...laughing with oneanother, and crying with oneanother. Wanting to be there for the other one to lean on.

As I left the church I felt so tired and drained, and I think of how much more so she must feel.

She and her mother-in-law have a very special relationship, as do I and my mother-in-law, and I told her that was gift, because not every woman has that. I know we are both thankful for that and for the loving memories we'll always have.

I am fortunate that my mother-in-law is still alive, although 90 years old. It makes me sad she's so far away, 8 hours, and I so want to go spend some time with her, and with my own mom.

You can never spend enough time with those you love, not your parents, not your siblings, not your spouse, not your children, not you grandchildren, not your friends.

You can never tell them enough that you love them and appreciate them.

Another day

A typical day, busy day at work, then Rebecca, our Taiwenese exchange student daughter fixed a yummy Taiwenese supper. I love it when she cooks! What am I ever going to do when she goes home in June?! Not just the food, I just enjoy her. She's funny and loveable, and I enjoy it when we have Bible study together.

Then the three oldest grandsons came over for a couple hours this evening. My, how fast they grow. It's hard to look at them and figure out how they got to be 7, 7, and 8, when just the other day they were babies. I remember feeling that way about my kids as well. Still do I guess! When did they become grown ups, two boys with wives and children, and a daughter living on her own. Wow, wow, wow.

I often have flashbacks of special memories with my kids. And I enjoy building memories with my grandchildren.

I'm so thankful for my children knowing the Lord and following him, and for Christian wives for my sons, and that the 5 oldest grandchildren have all accepted Christ as well. As I pray for their growth in faith I pray for the baby's salvation at an early age like his siblings.

I pray for wisdom for my sons as they find the path God has for them, that they'll have jobs they like that provide for them, and that they'll be good Christian husbands and fathers.

I am so fortunate, a loving God, loving parents, loving parent-in-laws, a husband who loves me, and children and grandchidlren I am proud of.

Thank you Lord for this day to say thank you!

Here I Go

Here I go, trying to blog. Wonder if I'll find anything noteworthy to blog about...Someone from church recently said that God gives us enough hours in every day to do what He wants us to do. That's my big challenge, to prioritize and get everything done that I should get done in a day, and figure out what those things are, and what things are waste.