Michigan

We had a fun, fast paced, short, but not too short trip to Michigan. We were able to go to Enoch's cousin's medical school graduation. He's pictured here with his wife and one of his two sons (also his father-in-law and sister-in-law):
The next day they flew off to India. The previous weekend they moved into their new house. They've been pretty busy, but they were still kind enough to let us stay at their place for an evening. I have been corresponding to Rosie (the wife) for the past several months. The only time I actually met her was at my wedding for less than five minutes, so this was a nice reunion.

During the following days Tabitha and Seth became close friends with Joel, Enoch's other cousin's son. He is like a flea on a hotplate. ALWAYS moving, jumping, running. It was hard for me to get him into a picture, so this one will have to do. He is only a couple months older than Tabitha. Though we met up with them in Michigan, he and his family actually only live a couple of hours from us, so we'll have to get together more often.


The drive to and from was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. They were spaced out enough that the kids were able to manage. Actual driving time was in the range of 7 to 8 hours. We saw trucks. Lots of trucks. We saw looooong trucks:


And HEAVY trucks. I saw several of these, which is carrying I don't know what, but I do know that it has 42 tires! The front axle has 2 and all the other axles have 4.


This is Tabitha and Seth before stopping for lunch. (Yes, they did eat Doritos beforehand)


In Ohio, ALL of the rest areas look like this. At least all the ones on the turnpike. They're very nice inside and out.


Waiting patiently (but very loudly) for the lunch:


Well fed:


The highlight of our trip was a talk that Enoch's uncle had with us. He pointed out how there are many Christians who live good lives, read their Bibles and pray, because they know that's what they're supposed to do. He encouraged us to rise above that and really PRAY. Set apart a good amount of time each day to pray, individually and together. Often we use fatigue as an excuse, but how many other things do we find ourselves doing when we're tired? Why isn't prayer a priority? Through much prayer, we will see the Lord open doors in our lives to minister for Him. The impact that this simple, very gentle conversation had on both of us made the trip well worth it. It was a word spoken in season.

My Life Verse

A few days ago I read a blog entry that inspired me to write about my life verse. For many years I have clung to Hebrews 12:2, which says:

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

What was the joy that was set before the Lord? Was it heaven itself where He would be back with His Father? Or was it us the redeemed ones? I believe it was the latter. If it was just heaven, then He wouldn't have needed to endure the cross. He belongs in heaven. It's hard to imagine that we bring Him joy. I know my own sinful self and it's hard to understand how I can still be pleasing to Him. But based on many Scripture references I know it's true.

If we are a joy to the Lord Jesus, HOW MUCH MORE should He be a joy to us. If we set that joy before us we can endure our daily cross. Since I've been thinking about this the past few days it's given me an opportunity to try and practice it. Every once in a while when I'm in a self pitying mood, I think about being with the Lord and all of the troubles seem to disappear. If only we could always remember to look unto Jesus, I think our lives would be a hundred fold easier.

Choose your habits wisely

Some of you know brother Craig Shakarji. He spoke on Daniel chapter 6 yesterday. One thing that he noted was that Daniel was in his 80's or 90's when this incident occurred. Can you imagine?

I want to mention one verse that he spoke on. Verse 10 says, "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." It was Daniel's habit to pray three times a day. Craig explained a habit as being something that is easier to do, then to not do. It was easier for Daniel to pray then for him to skip prayer. Some habits can be our down fall, but some can push us in the right direction. Some habits many of us have, which are beneficial, such as giving thanks before meals and going to the meeting every Sunday.

I would really like to get to the point where reading the Bible is done at a certain time daily. Right now I read whenever I find the time during the day, which usually ends up being at night when I am tired. It would be so nice when it's easier to read in the morning then to skip reading.