What is time worth?

The moment when you realize there is nothing you want that money can buy you begin to realize time to enjoy what you have is priceless

Bible - Paper or plastic

I use often use a Bible app on my Iphone. I have found that its a great way to always have a Bible at hand. At home I read a paper Bible but rarely carry one. I began using my phone more once my youngest was born and trying to get everyone to church meant the need to simplify in any way possible.  Well that is until a few weeks ago. I had to take my wifes truck into service. I needed something to read and decided I would take my Bible and review notes from SS and the sermon the day before. I started on my phone and like most folks in the waiting area I gained little attention. I then reached in my backpack and pulled out my Bible. When I did an older gentleman said "I guess I better behave" followed by serveral of remarks and laughts. I was then asked if I was a preacher. I replied no. I was then asked if I was decon. I again replied no. Just a guy that loves Jesus that doesnt read this thing nearly enough. The next thing I know the waiting area had become a open discussion and a place to share my faith. I then realized all of the times Ive read my Bible in public on my phone I have never been able to share anything at all. For all anyone knows Im wasting time on Facebook or some type of forum.  There is something powerful about the sound of pages rustling. I also thought about how my children need to see me turning pages more. They need to know that the Bible is important and relevant and that I need to read it for guidance, strength and hope. Time to quit being a phone surfer and get to a Bible thumper.  

More important than church

I have been in the working world since well before I turned 16. I have never missed a day to go to a ball game, to go to the river, to clean off my porch, to go hunting, to go fishing, to go shopping,to just sleep late, or just because I didn't feel like going. I have used all of these as excuses to not go to church. I have gone to work sick, I have gone to work tired. I have stayed out all night and drove to work and slept in the parking lot because I knew I wouldnt get up.
 I have heard stories of my grandmother holding a mirror under the nostrils of her kids and if they had enough breath to fog a mirror they were well enough for church. I have heard my grandfather tell that his dad stayed home and gave birth to him because my great grandmother had to go teach Sunday school. Ive heard folks talk about their drug problem. When they were younger their mother drug them to church.  As a child I remember there being very few Sundays we didnt go to church. I never remember not going because of the Super Bowl or because it was Summer.
What Im trying to say is church should be a priority. I never remember waking up on Sunday and asking my Mom if we were going to church anymore than I woke up on Monday morning and asking if we were going to work or school. This weekend I chose to stay home because we had started a project on Saturday and  we really wanted to finish. Since then I have felt guilty. I havent felt guilty because I didnt go to church. I dont think you get points for attendance. I feel guilty because to my kids I told them without words that finishing the back yard was more important than church. I know people who can go years without gracing the doors and feel as if they have a right relationship with God. For me my faith isnt that strong. I dont have that strong of faith to be able to feel the need not to attend church. I know folks who dont need church and for them thats great Im not that strong. I need to be around fellow believers. I need to hear the word. I need to sing songs in worship. I need to just be still and know that he is God. I also need my children to know that I am dependent on God and that God is a priority in my life. If God isnt a priority then he isnt God he is simply god. Its easy to make excuses to not go to church but if God is God that is the only excuse I need to go.

1 Corinthians 13 - If I have not love

We should be less concerned with the hands and the feet of fellow believers and more concerned with their heart. All wisdom, wealth and accomplishments mean little if we do not love ourselves and those around us. Who today is hurting and simply needs a smile or a hug? If I have not love I am a just a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

Do I believe in heaven and hell

Just got word a friend lost her grandfather. I immediately grabbed my phone and sent a text among the things I said was "Find peace knowing he is no longer hurting. Find peace knowing this isnt the end and one day you will see him again". I then thought about what I wrote. When someone dies we are quick to say "well they are in a better place", "they have gone on to heaven" the list goes on and on. I got to thinking what if they arent going to heaven. What if we had to stand at the foot of a grave of someone we truly love knowing they busted the gates of hell wide open. Should this not change the way we do everything we do? Should this not change the way we look at everyone we meet. Should this not encourage to overcome whatever wall stands between us and witnessing to those around us especially those we love. If not maybe we need to dig deep and see if we really believe or not. If we really believe Jesus died for our sins so that we could spend eternity in heaven we must also believe there is an alternative. I dont know this thought has crossed my mind several times over the past few months. Either God is God or he isnt.

John 3:16
Romans 3:23 
Romans 6:23 
Romans 10:13 
Romans 10:9-10

Comfort

In deep pain, people don't need logic, advice, encouragement, or even Scripture. They just need you to show up and shut up.- Rick Warren

I know when my Pappy passed I know that folks praying for us helped get us through. I know the countless text and messages helped through out. On the other hand I know the few people who were there physically though they may not have said a world brought great comfort. I know often times I say "I don't know what to say" well I know that nothing I can say will make it better. I also know im guilty of saying ill pray for you and go about my day. Inside feeling as if I've done my duty. Simply saying if you need anything and then hoping no one ask. In a time of loss there is need. Sometimes that need is just looking over and seeing a face who is there, sometimes it's a hug, sometimes it's a shoulder sometimes it's just knowing they care enough to come.

Relax its worth it.

Today Im reminded of a conversation with my grandfather. In the course of our conversation I was telling him how this was going on and that. I was telling him about how this person ticked me off and was and idiot and this situation ticked me off and that resturant ticked me off. In his style he smiled and looked at me and asked "what do all those idiots and situations have in common?". I thought long and hard because I knew I was about to be bitten in the butt. Sure enough I asked and didnt like the answer it was me. I remember coming home that day and looking back through my FB feed. Everyday I was complaining about this and that and this person and that person. When in reality I was the problem. I cant control anyone but me and my reaction to others. When I get to this point I realize several things 1. This world doesnt revolve around me. 2. I can control how I react to the situation and people around me. 3. The only idiot I can change is the one in the mirror. 4. I can always find a reason to get ticked off but I can find a better reason not too.
About this same time I was talking to my uncle about trying to lower my blood pressure. I thought he was gonna bust his gut laughing. "You have high blood pressure? I never would have guessed." In the words of the great Blues Travelers song "it wont mean a thing in a hundred years". Getting excited about a messed up order or service isnt worth dying from a heart attack.