The Foundation

My wife "volunteered" me to help one of our mutual friends with some home fix up chores. One of them had to do with some old steps onto a patio.

The steps were worn and pretty beat up. And the patio . . .

"Did they put a foundation under the patio when they built it," I asked? (Obviously, by its condition, the answer was 'no')

"I'm not sure," she said. "Why do you ask?"

"Well . . ."

In Wisconsin where we live, winter frost can get pretty deep. All of the freezing and thawing that occurs during winter, fall, and spring causes movement. A foundation that extends "below frost" is needed to prevent unwanted movement and the resulting destruction.

My friend's entire patio will need to be replaced simply because the builder did not take the time to put in a foundation.

Our faith works the same way. Without a proper foundation in the truth and in God we will end up failing just like my friend's deck did.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock (a solid foundation). And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” - Matthew 7:24-27

Without a firm foundation our faith is useless. Trials will come in this life. We must be prepared for them with a strong faith in Jesus. Only then can we withstand the strongest of storms.

And should our faith ever get shaky, our foundation repairman, Jesus, is just a prayer away.

The Words I Would Say

Have you ever left a conversation and said, "What I SHOULD have said was (fill in the blank)." I do that way too much.

Or how about this one . . .

"I should have prayed with him/her."

Or . . .

"I should have shared the Gospel."

Speaking of sharing the Gospel, how do we do that without people getting mad at us? My advice is to start out slow and ask a lot of questions. Jesus Himself asked the perfect question of Peter.

"But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” - Matthew 16:15

We could ask people if they believe in God, but there are many gods. We should ask people about Jesus, specifically. Sadly, there are also many versions of Jesus in the world today. Peter gave a pretty good answer to Jesus' question.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” - Matthew 16:16

We must then get specific about Jesus. After they answer the question above, ask them this one.

"Tell me about Jesus. What has He ever done for you?"

Someone who is already saved will most likely give you their testimony, or at least part of it. Then they should tell you about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. The unsaved person will merely describe who they 'think' Jesus is.

[Be cautious right here my friends. When questioning someone's beliefs we must be prepared for pushback. People don't like having their beliefs questioned.]

That's why we must read the Bible and have verses at the ready. How can people argue against God, who IS God . . . and never lies.

But they WILL argue. They WILL push back. What should we do then?

"When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith." Matthew 17:14-20

We humans do not have the power to save anyone. But we do have the ability to make them think. Get them thinking. Then let them go. That's where prayer begins.

We much pray for God to open their hearts and minds. Is their salvation the 'desire of your heart?' And that's where faith begins. Pray that God would increase your faith!

Remember the demon-posessed son whose father came to Jesus for help?

"If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“ ‘IF you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” - Mark 9:22-24

Lord, help us overcome OUR unbelief. Ask questions, answer when we can, but most importantly, take them to Jesus in prayer.

The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Profits

The Christianity Trap

There is a danger that exists when someone grows up in a "Christian home." That danger is "thinking" that you are a Christian when you really are not.

Don't get me wrong. Coming from a Christian home is a wonderful thing. It is a blessing to be sure. The danger comes from the lack of understanding about just what the word "Christian" means.

I grew up in a Christian home. My parents were Sunday school teachers, they sang in the choir, we went to church, I was baptized as a baby, I went to confirmation class and memorized Bible verses. I was a Christian, right? Wrong. I only THOUGHT I was. And that's the trap.

I heard a sermon once about this topic. The pastor said the thing that surprised him most during their baptism services at his church was that most of the people were "saved from Sunday School." He expected that the majority of people would be saved from things like drugs or alcohol. Nope. Most had only THOUGHT they were Christians but admitted in their testimony that they really were not.

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" - 2 Corinthians 13:5

So, how do we test ourselves? That's easy. We must read the Bible and then compare our lives with what it says. Are we obeying God's commands? Are we following the teachings of Jesus?

"And He (Jesus) said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3

Did you catch that? Jesus said there must be a change, from what we were to what we are now, in Christ. Have we changed from what we used to be?

And WHEN did we change? Surely, we remember an event like that! What was the cause? The catalyst? If we didn't change, Jesus just said we "will NEVER enter the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus actually gives us a one-question quiz a few chapters earlier in Matthew 16.

“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” - Matthew 16:15

How we answer that question determines where we spend eternity. Who do we say that Jesus is? Peter gives the perfect answer just one verse later.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” - Matthew 16:16

Many people can't handle being a Christian. They like to live their secular lives, believing what they want to believe. They don't FOLLOW Him. They cave in on issues like abortion and gay rights. Jesus said this to those who professed to be His followers:

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you - they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” - John 6:63-69

We need to "believe and know" that Jesus is God, the Holy One. Only then will we be saved. Only then will we be true Christians.

A Thousand Words

It has been said that "a picture is worth a thousand words." I think that's true. There is a lot to be seen in a single photo. For example, consider today's photo.

This is a screen shot from a video that we all watched from Trump's Pennsylvania rally. The one when he was shot. It's a little blurry, but you can see Trump in the lower right, giving his speech, and wearing his red MAGA hat.

Behind him on the roof of the building are two snipers. They are looking off to their right, in the direction of the eventual would-be assasin. This is BEFORE any shots were fired.

I have several questions. What is Trump still doing on the stage if there is a suspicious person, in a shooting position, on a nearby roof? I read that authorities knew about the shooter 90 minutes before the shooting. What were they waiting for?

It's almost like they are waiting for the shooter to shoot before THEY shoot.

[Bob dons his tin-foil hat for a moment]

What if the shooter was ALLOWED to shoot? He apparently got off eight shots before the snipers took him out. That's according to the FBI, if you can believe THEM.

Here is another old saying - Dead men tell no tales.

I believe that there is a conspiracy to keep Trump out of office, no matter what the cost. I told my wife several months earlier,  as the lawsuits against Trump were failing, "Killing Him is all they have left now."

I'm old. I have lived through the JFK assassination. I witnessed all the things our government tried to hide from the American people.

I remember paging through Life Magazine, looking at all of the "stills" from the Zapruder film. The pictures were all numbered.

"Why are some of the pictures missing?" I wondered. Hmm.

So, what does all this have to do with Jesus, you might ask?

The Pharisees didn't like Jesus just like the left hates Trump. They didn't want to see Jesus "come to power" either. So, what did they do? They plotted to kill Him of course. And they were successful.

Romans 1:30 tells us that we are "inventors of evil." I believe that. If you need convincing, read the news. There are plenty of examples.

The Roman government invented stories to cover up Jesus' resurrection back then. They paid off the guards. And said that the disciples took His body. Then there was "The Swoon Theory." They said that Jesus didn't really die on the cross. He just passed out. Really? And then walk 7.5 miles to Emmaus? Uhh, I don't think so.

The point of all this is don't trust anybody. Don't trust Trump or Harris or even your kid's baby sitter. Trust God, trust His Word. Don't trust your feelings. Seek the truth. And remember, Jesus IS the truth.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life." - John 14:6

"Stop trusting in mere humans." - Isaiah 2:22

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

When Jesus was confronting the Pharisees He said this:

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44

Trust God. In Him alone we find the truth. He IS the truth!

Seven Miles - Matt Chandler

The Missing Piece

 

There are several things that can be learned about life simply by doing a jigsaw puzzle. But the most surprising lesson, the most beautifully helpful teaching, is when we discover that one of life's "puzzle pieces" has gone missing.

My wife and I do jigsaw puzzles in our spare time. We've been doing them together for several years now. If we stop and think about the puzzle building process, even about the puzzle's creation itself, we can learn quite a few things.

Each one of us is a puzzle of sorts that gets assembled over time. A tragedy here, an illness there - sometimes, through no fault of our own, even some of our pieces can become damaged or go missing. Life is interesting that way.

My wife buys me puzzles at Goodwill from time to time. Sometimes, upon their completion, I have found a piece or two missing. I have become pretty good at creating replacement puzzle pieces. They're not perfect of course but they fill a void.

Jesus is the master craftsman when it comes to filling the voids in our hearts. He can heal broken hearts too. Of course, we will still have scars, but we will become whole.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power." - Psalm 147:3-5

Do you have a missing puzzle piece in your life? Would you like to be healed? Trust in Jesus.

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24

Jesus can heal your heart, but you do have to let Him. He is the missing piece you've been waiting for. Open the door.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20

The One-State Solution

Many of the world's "expert" politicians think that a two-state solution is the only solution that will bring about peace between the Palestinians and the nation of Israel. They want Israel to give the Palestinians some of their land so they can have their own country. It will NEVER work, and here's why.

First of all, neither Hamas nor the Israeli government want peace right now. Both sides in this Middle East conflict want the total elimination of the other. And, as if that isn't enough of a deterrent to peace talks, there is this fact. God does not want a two-state solution either.

Open up your Bibles to Ezekiel 37 and let's begin reading at verse 21...

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. 

That prophecy (highlighted in bold) was given to Ezekiel in 597 B.C. It was fulfilled in 1948, 2545 years later. God's Word never fails.

Then God told Ezekiel this:

"There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms." - Ezekiel 37:21-22

Why is there any question about this? It's almost like our politicians, many of whom CLAIM to be Christians, are not really reading their Bibles at all! Hmm. Strange . . . 

Why do we keep fighting against God and His will for us in this world? God has an answer to that question as well.

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

“I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” - Exodus 32:7-10

If we would only listen and obey God we would not be having ANY of the problems that we are experiencing today.

I guess we are STILL a stiff-necked people. We should be praying for Israel, not condemning it. We are living in Satan's world, not the one God created for us. We will never learn.

But God will rescue us one day, and it will be soon. Only then will we know peace. Trust in Jesus today if you would like to experience that peace. "Repent, Believe, and forever Receive."

Oh, what a glorious day that will be!

The Last Olympics?

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." - Galatians 6:7

Now that the dust has settled after the Paris Olympics, let's assess the damage.

Everyone has seen the picture of the transvestite "Lord's Supper." I refuse to show it here. Why do such things surprise us? Wouldn't Satan do something like this on the world stage with everybody watching? Of course he would. His end is coming. And I wouldn't want to be in HIS shoes when it does.

"It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God." - Hebrews 10:31

Did you see where there was a power outage within 24 hours after that very same opening ceremony at the Olympics? Classic. The only building lit in the area was the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

And then there was the boxing debacle. A "man" (if you can call him that) against a woman. Oh, but he "feels" like a woman, so we must consider his feelings. No! Take a look in your pants, dude. See anything? Get in the men's locker room and man up.

Let's talk swimming in the Seine River. Several swimmers became sick after taking a dip in the filth. Belgium withdrew from the mixed triathlon when one of their swimmers, Claire Michel, was hospitalized with an E. coli infection. From the river!

Several other athletes fell seriously ill as well after spending time in the Paris river. Nice. Or was it Nice (as in France)? Small joke. Just like the Olympics.

Brazilian surfer Joao Chianca was forced to remove the image of Jesus from his surfboard or face disqualification.

As Paris elites laugh in the face of Almighty God, He is not one bit amused. Nor will their misdeeds go unpunished.

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen." - Romans 1:21-25 - Romans 1:21-25

We are living in the last days. The world has quite possibly seen its last Olympic games before His return. And to that I say, "Good!" The athletes are great but the woke elites suck big time. God will not tolerate their shameful deeds much longer.

Olympic Surfer Forced to Remove Christ Image From Board

Olympic Triathletes Sick With E Coli

Delight and Rejoice!

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4

I am forever learning things as I read the Bible. These two verses are just an example of what I have learned this week. Life should be about rejoicing. Not only about this life that God has given us, but rejoicing about the lives of the others around us as well. It's about looking at life differently, as if through someone else's eyes.

For example, I rejoice in my wife. Yes, we have our differences. We have our disagreements. But we've been married for over 47 years and I still rejoice in her.

Hete's the real question though. Do we rejoice in God? Or do we think of Him as a holy disciplinarian? The Enforcer. OR, do we think of God as someone we are married to? Hmm. Think about that one for a minute. Jesus is often referred to as the bridegroom after all. And we are His bride, right?

Do you rejoice in your wife or your husband? Do you rejoice in your friends? How about your enemies? We are supposed to love them too.

I think what I'm trying to say is that we should rejoice in ALL things. Good, bad, happy, or sad.

Now, what brings you delight in this world? Is it personal success? Is it having enough money at the end of the month to pay all of your bills? Or do we delight in the Lord? He has promised to give us things if we do. "The desires of our heart."

What if we filled up our lives with delight, along with rejoicing? Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? Isn't that what God desires for our hearts? And just what kind of desires should those be? I can sum them up in three words.

"Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

If we place our faith in Jesus, He provides us with hope. And if we have hope for our future, isn't that delightful and a cause to rejoice? You betcha!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

The 9th of Av

Here in the United States we have certain dates that we have set aside to remember our history. The 4th of July is one of them. We declared our independence from England on that day.

The Jewish people have many such days as well. The 9th of Av is one of them. Av is the 6th month on the Jewish calendar.

So what's so significant about Av 9? You will be amazed at this list (from RaptureReady.com).

Av 9, 1312 BC – Only two of the twelve spies sent by Moses to observe the land of Canaan, Joshua and Caleb, returned with a positive report. The ten-spy report caused the Hebrews to cry, panic, and despair of ever entering their Promised Land. For this, they were punished, and God decreed that their generation would not enter the land and that for all future generations, this date would become one of crying and misfortune for their descendants, the Jewish people (Numbers 13:25-14:12, Zechariah 7:3-5, 8:19).

"The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?" - Numbers 13:11

Then there is the First and Second Temple Destructions . . .

Av 9, 586 BC – The First Temple built by King Solomon was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the Judeans were sent into Babylonian exile. About 100,000 Jews were killed during the invasion. The remaining tribes in the southern kingdom were exiled to Babylon and Persia.

Av 9, 70 AD – The Second Temple built by Ezra and Nehemiah was destroyed by the Romans on August 4, 70 AD. Over 2,500,000 Jews died as a result of war, famine and disease. Over 1,000,000 Jews were exiled to all parts of the Roman Empire. Over 100,000 Jews were sold as slaves by Romans or were killed and tortured in gladiatorial “games” and pagan celebrations.

[For a complete list, including events in our lifetime, check out this link.]

The reason I am mentioning this now is that August 12th-13th is the 9th of Av this year (it begins today at sundown). With all of the trouble brewing in the Middle East right now, do not be surprised if something significant happens. I'm not saying that it will, but let's just call it a "high-watch" day.

Will Iran retaliate against Israel on the 9th of Av? Sundown in Israel will be around 12:50 Central time. Pray for Israel.

"It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the Living God." - Hebrews 10:31

The Fight Within

Jesus told us in the Book of Matthew that in the last days there would be "wars and rumors of wars." I believe Him. I also believe that we are living in those days right now. But I'm not here to write about the end times. I'm here to talk about war.

There are definitely wars going on right now. Ukraine vs Russia, Israel vs Hamas, Israel vs Hezbollah, Israel vs The Houthis, etc. There are currently 28 areas of conflict in our world right now, according to Global Conflict Tracker. Yes, there is an app for that.

But I'm not writing about any of those either. I'm writing about the war that wages inside each of us.

The band Switchfoot has a song called The War Inside. Here's some of the lyrics.

Yeah, it's where the fight begins

Yeah, underneath the skin

Beneath these hopes and where we've been

Every fight comes from the fight within

Isn't that true? Don't we wage war in and against ourselves? James wrote this about these wars thay wage inside each of us:

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?" - James 4:1

You got THAT right! Satan loves to push our buttons. And, yes, he knows our thoughts.

Most of the time we recognize these inward battles and can prepare for the attack. But Satan's most effective weapon is the sneak attack. That's when we open our mouths without thinking and blurt out something we later wish we wouldn't have said. James also had some words about that in his previous chapter. You can read it here.

And here's this gem from James in chapter one.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," - James 1:19

Smart man, that James. So, why don't we listen to his words and learn from them?

Good question.

Army generals go to great lengths in their preparations for war. They plan, they accumulate supplies. And an army of soldiers behind them. It should be no different with us.

Our army is the church. Our supplies come from prayers and supplications to God. He provides us with everything we need through our training - reading The Bible.

The battle is real. It is for our very souls. It is being fought everywhere, but it starts within each of is and we must fight. To arms!

Global Conflict Tracker

I Don't Belong Here

Have you ever gotten the feeling like you don't belong where you are? Maybe it's with a group of friends. Everyone is laughing and having fun, but you get the feeling like you'd rather be somewhere else. Welcome to the world of a Christian, living in "The World."

As near as I can figure, it's because you and I have been set apart for a different purpose.

"Be holy for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:16

And what does "holy " mean in a Biblical context? It means 'set apart.'

We can feel incredibly alone at times. It's better, in a way, to be totally alone than being surrounded by strangers. Know what I mean?

Do you know why that is? Why we feel so alone, even when we're not? It's because we don't belong here.

Do you have a very close friend? Someone you can trust? Why do we feel so comfortable with them? Similar political views? Similar life experiences? Some kind of special bond?

In the song linked below the words 'I don't belong here' are repeated over and over again. A good reminder for us as we walk through this place.

"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8

At the same time though, we can feel quite at home with our brothers and sisters in Christ. That's because they are our NEW family. We have common thoughts and experiences. A common love for our Savior. The common bond of love.

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth he said, "I wish that all of you were as I am" - 1 Corinthians 7:7

Paul was speaking about being single, as opposed to being married. Perhaps if we took that opening verse from 1st Peter and tweaked it a bit we could better understand God's meaning for us as we live in today's world.

"Be lonely for I am lonely."

We are supposed to feel alone here because this is not our home. But we don't have to STAY lonely. That's one of the benefits of a church family. Go to church and find a family you belong with. A family who loves you.

Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while. Hours will fly by like minutes. Why? Because your 'at home' with them. Give them a hug and hold on for a while.

The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot

Underneath Your Skin

I remember it like it happened yesterday. This song brings it all back. Yet these events happened 18 years ago. Funny how the time flies.

It was at Lifest (a Christian music festival in Oshkosh, WI) that I heard this song for the very first time. A friend of mine, the one who had led me to Christ, had invited me to hear and experience this strange new music.

We were at the Edge Stage, a concert venue reserved for some of the harder rock bands of the day like Disciple, Skillet, and Seventh Day Slumber.

The leader singer of that last band I just mentioned, Joseph Rojas, was giving his testimony - that of a recovered drug addict. He was saved out of his addictions and wrote this song for those who still remain trapped there.

The chorus goes like this:

No one knows you anymore

You're lost inside the walls you've built

No one knows you anymore

A prison deep within your soul

But there is One who sees it all

He'll give you life you never dreamed

He can see the pain underneath your skin

Right then and there I was presented with a opportunity. It was like God was asking, "So, what are you going to do about it, Bob?"

Youth ministry can be a wonderful thing, but it does come at a cost. Some of my young friends have taken their own lives due to the pain that lay hidden, out of sight, underneath their skin. Others still struggle to this day. 

The song continues . . .

Your addiction is just a symptom of a lost and dying soul

And without Jesus there's no hope at all

Thankfully God has rescued many from this deadly trap.

One particular young couple (the woman of which was a youth group kid at church) had both been arrested for dealing in meth. The woman reached out to me and asked for help.

Alive and well now, they have both turned their lives around and have four children and good jobs. Two that made it out, all by the grace of Almighty God.

One truth still remains. "There is One who sees it all." His name is Jesus.

Do you have something hidden "underneath your skin?" Reach out and trust in Him. "Without Him there's no hope at all."

[This story is dedicated to Jesse, Kameron, Austin, Muffy, and all the rest who didn't make it]

Missing Pages - Seventh Day Slumber

Becoming Alone

Whenever my wife takes a trip I experience what I have come to call a "Free Day." Free days are days in which I can do whatever I want.

I can go disc golfing, I can go out to eat for lunch, I can go shopping at Menards, and I can listen to my favorite music. Loud.

It was during one of those music sessions that I heard some songs that I hadn't heard for a while. Those songs led to several of these stories. Imagine that. Stay "tuned."

I enjoy reading the Bible. However it is easier for me to listen to His Word, given the current state of my eyes. Listening to the Bible and listening to my music has been a huge blessing to me this week.

On my "free days" I can spend as much time with God as I want to. That time alone has led me to this conclusion:

We were meant to become "alone" on this Earth. Let me explain.

"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:21-26

God is a jealous God. How do I know that? It says so in the Bible.

"Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." - Exodus 34:14

That's pretty clear. But what does that mean? What does that look like in the life of a Christian? It means that God comes first. Always.

Example: There have been times I have skipped going to church. Maybe I was sick, or on vacation. Is that right, to not worship God once in a while? Hmm.

Don't they have churches near our vacation destinations? Can't we pull over and worship God at a wayside?

People might say, "That's impractical. The whole purpose of a vacation is to get away from all that."

Really? The whole purpose of being a follower of Jesus is to be obedient and to follow His comands. To worship Him and praise Him. No matter where we are or what we are doing.

If it was just me and Him in this world, what would I do? If God was the only one to talk with, would I? Yes!

Now, God DID say, "It is not right for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). But then Jesus said to pray alone (Matthew 6:6). Those are different types of "being alone." The first is physical, the second is spiritual.

If others, and our responsibilities, get in the way of our worshipping God, do you think that God might work against those things so that we can focus on Him? Hmm.

It might be a difficult pill to swallow but this life we are living is not about us. It must be about God. We must "become alone," even when we are in a crowded church.

I fail at this. My mind is always wandering off, I get easily distracted. But I think my goal as a Christian should be to spend alone time with God . . . ALL of the time.

Again, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25-26

It's okay to enjoy our "free time." As long as we enjoy it with God. Alone.

"And after He (Jesus) had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone." - Matthew 14:23