tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28641474734000715422024-03-02T16:51:33.069-08:00MomentsFor now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but shall I know even as also I am known.
I Cor 13:12
https://booklocker.com/books/12152.html
Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-88014078052625136162024-03-01T08:19:00.000-08:002024-03-01T08:19:31.474-08:00The Stone Was Rolled Away<p> </p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></h3><div class="post-header" style="color: #997755; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-337622588743658530" itemprop="description articleBody" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; position: relative; width: 568.4px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">The same winds that have been pushing the Texas wildfires, pushed against my bike and I this morning. For a couple weeks now my training has been less than mediocre. My rides have been short, mostly on an indoor trainer. Sometimes, in times like these, I wonder if I have anything left, mentally or physically. Oh, I have been doing enough to maintain fitness and well-being. It is a signal of serious slippage when I start thinking of only doing enough training for fitness.<br /><br />I went to the course with the hills this morning, and rode generally south, mostly into the gusting winds. Today will tell, I thought. About two miles and the hills began. The first one wasn't all that bad. There were several more, and the wind is rocking the pine trees all around me. I can't hear much but the wind. The next hill, the next and I am smiling some. The last hill and I know: it is still there! Yes, thank you God! It was as if on the eve of Resurrection Sunday when we celebrate that "death has lost and Life has won," that I had been resurrected myself. The stone to the tomb my training had been in, was rolled away on that windy, hilly course.<br /><br />Tomorrow, we get up early to watch the sunrise, to praise, to worship, to celebrate, that the stone was rolled away for us all.</span></div>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-38427341272370444542024-02-18T14:09:00.000-08:002024-02-18T14:09:47.081-08:00MEETING THE JESUS TRAIN<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">So much fuzzy emptiness at this
age. The older I get the more I realize I don't know. Finally
having wisdom enough to know that I don't know, faith comes much
easier. Earthly life seems like the train that left the station
without me, leaving me holding on to my suitcase, watching a younger
world clank away noisily down the tracks without me. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Oh, it isn't bad. I have my
suitcase of valuables, my friends, family, but supremely, my
relationship with God. And, that relationship grows more
and more intimate watching the train that once was my life, disappearing
down the tracks without me. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Of course, I often wish for what
I once had and will never have again, Of course, I wish I had a little
more life to live, a little more time on the train, though I am not sure why. It's natural,
I guess. Sure, there are things I wish I had done, and things I wished I had
done better, but that doesn't seem to matter as much now. I filled my
bucket list but can't remember where I left it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither do I care to search for it.
No, I guess there are no regrets felt important enough to keep riding
that same old train.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As the train disappears in the
distance, I find my smile. And the misty moment of indistinct
vision brings a soothing peace, unlike anything I have ever felt
before. Faith and hope keep me looking down the tracks. for the
next train. Then out of the fog of limited vision, God's Presence
majestically, yet serenely pulls up on the tracks and I see Jesus waiting
on the steps of the train. He reaches out with nailed scarred hands and
says, “ Come on My child - you are mine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All aboard.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-61110090163003322232024-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:002024-02-16T09:32:27.128-08:00THE CROSS IS FOR ME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyErv8AUEWXJ91_13xo-emh7JvFe9hLmA5deEXUjCm_Nk-RHIDY_O9uJIztlv8GX1-La4RnR6WB2tSFmwo_ySZRz2S8aFlMDPltIVWM8YgpRYEjJWLtvyWKIIdUaepb29QAnHiJHZJO719xH-OYTOmv8hadkORF2Q2ypEF8XTgWW1-yXxvFVlsG3xtrOc/s320/lantana%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyErv8AUEWXJ91_13xo-emh7JvFe9hLmA5deEXUjCm_Nk-RHIDY_O9uJIztlv8GX1-La4RnR6WB2tSFmwo_ySZRz2S8aFlMDPltIVWM8YgpRYEjJWLtvyWKIIdUaepb29QAnHiJHZJO719xH-OYTOmv8hadkORF2Q2ypEF8XTgWW1-yXxvFVlsG3xtrOc/s1600/lantana%204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">This cross is in a field very near my road to the house - easily seen by visitors. A visitor once asked me who is the cross for. It must have looked like sort of a makeshift graveyard. I said the cross is for me. Now there are several crosses on my place here just as visible. And, all the crosses are for me. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Selfish behavior? Just a moment. The crosses are not some sort of ornaments celebrating my faith in Jesus, or my allegiance to the Gospel. Those crosses are not to be as billboards to advertise what a great Christian I am. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">No, the crosses are for me, because I am just a man, weak and fragile on my own. I easily forget about Jesus and succumb to the world's temptations, of self-seeking, consumptive behavior. I too often yield to the pride that could so easily destroy my witness. I need Jesus. I need the cross to get me through this gauntlet called life until He takes me home. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I see my cross it reminds me who and what I am and who the real I AM is. It reminds me of my calling as a Christian to take up my own cross and follow Him. The crosses put me back on that road so I don't end up stuck in the ditch of a meaningless and wasted life, that could have been lived for the Lord. Yes, the cross is for me. They are my road signs of the way home.</span></div>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-79820982025683138182023-07-31T16:14:00.004-07:002023-07-31T16:18:04.964-07:00 Step Up to the Privilege <div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." How blessed we are in these uncertain times to have a sure and certain God. How blessed we are to be in a position to stand against the wind for God. Not everyone has a cause to wake up to. Not everyone has a reason that makes sense to keep on keeping on, when all looks wasted and lost. Not everyone has that infusion of heavenly minded vitality added to their lives. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, the course and the calling are no easy road. There are so many naysayers out there and then there is the tough job of working on yourself, to be more like Jesus. We can't do that ourselves and have to humbly acknowledge where the real power comes from. God gives us the strength to face our own stuff and in doing so make a live worth living and worthy of giving away. We have such a great opportunity to serve the cause of Christ. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>These are the days we live and die for. My prayer is for God help us to step up to the privilege. </span>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-56104975823629313592023-07-22T11:15:00.003-07:002023-07-22T11:15:42.004-07:00Mighty Man of Valor<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Is it real or is it just me yearning to complete an unfulfilled dream? The ironman effort seems so far away now, with so many obstacle in front between me and completion. I want to go peacefully into the night but a light keeps coming on. It's like a fire I can't put out and I pray for guidance, full knowing I should NOT go after another ironman. But, it seems I keep getting those answers everywhere I turn. "Don't quit," "God equips you with what you need." "God is calling you to trust Him that He will see you through." And on and on it goes. Everywhere there is a "God wants this" message and I don't know if it is Him or from below and bent on my destruction and my family's as well. What a risk that would be? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And too, perhaps it is what I want to see and hear so I can blame God on my poor decision? That kind of self centered self deception would not be serving God but only myself. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I feel like Gideon hearing from the angel while he was hiding out from his enemies secretly trying to make a little bread to try to get by. The angel came to him and said, "The Lord is with thee, though mighty man of valor." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God saw who Gideon could be rather than who he was at the moment. Is that true with me? Is that true with you?</span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-87064232297519238602023-06-09T17:28:00.004-07:002023-06-09T17:28:48.483-07:00I Have Jesus Even When I'm Invisible<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">“<span style="font-size: large;">My wife died you know?”
The one-time British sailor squinted up at me through ninety year old
eyes as if to see if I were going to listen before he went on. There was pain and need in those eyes. “She
was beautiful too; pretty as a picture; pretty as a picture, and played the
piano like an angel. Sixty years we been
together. She was beautiful. Played the piano like an angel. I miss her you know. I got nobody now. People don’t care about old folks like
me. They don’t even seem to see me. It’s like I am some kinda piece of garbage or something cause I’m old and worthless now. I miss her you know. She was beautiful. Played the piano like an angel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not too far from old and worthless myself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some say I am already worthless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
for all the times I have gutted out races; all the times I have raised my arms
in joy at some finish line, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for all the
awards I have won and all my other moments of accomplishments, projects
completed, gardens raised, pastures mowed; despite all the hard work I have
done, there will soon come a time when I won’t be seen either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the things done in my life won’t be worth
listening to by a younger , trendier world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will be passed over like a crack in the sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
be essentially invisible, encased in only my own world consisting of what
memories I can recall. But that’s OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am at peace about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My invisible days won’t be alone. I will
have Somebody; my Faithful Friend will be with me when the world goes on
without me. I have His blessed assurance
which – like the song says – “the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take
it away.” I have Jesus.</span><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-5720188053326131382023-05-14T11:00:00.004-07:002023-05-16T07:05:35.193-07:00WHAT YOU SEE IS ALL YOU GET<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pathetic smoke and mirrors. a celebration of an empty life of self-indulgence and self-worship. Sad in its impart, disgusting in that lives are squandered hopelessly, haplessly on worship of their futile empty lives. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> God had a much better plan than that. And, a heart for God feels that empty sadness brought about by the fractured lives, supported only by a sort of smiling anguish with which to cover the desperation in their souls, craving the Presence of a true Living God to reside within them in the place in their hearts God was intended to fill.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's all make believe colored crepe paper that melts and loses its color in the rain. Aloneness brings the whispers of unfilled hopes and tortured dreams. Daylight brings a new face to put on to hide the pain. And what you see is all you get.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Our real selves are waiting for us in Him." </i> C. S. Lewis</span></div>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-58036630728115654822023-03-26T11:22:00.002-07:002023-06-22T15:37:06.267-07:00Becoming the Bible You Are Called to Be <p> <span style="font-size: large;">There is my exercise routine each morning; stretches, crunches, leg lifts, planks, pushups and such. In the midst of the workout, right after the pushups, I have a prayer time right there on the floor. Most the time I realize I should have scheduled the prayer before the pushups. But my reasoning is that it is better to have faith I can do it and offer thanks when it's done. So, I go with gratitude. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is amazing what comes up to pray about, lying there on face to the floor. I try to be grateful first, offering thanks for so much God has done for me, to include the pushups. But today I felt lead to ask forgiveness for who I haven't been for God. As I prayed for my wife, I confessed that I have not been the Bible for her to read. I haven't been the Bible that I want my son and granddaughters to read. I haven't been the Bible I would like unbelievers all around me to read. Can they read me, my words, my behaviors, my faithfulness? Can I be a Bible they can read, one that they can see Jesus in, and through? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I read and study the Bible every day, but it was an epiphany to realized that me and my behavior and demeanor is the only Bible many can read and study every day. Someone who God is touching may be studying my Bible right now. Oh Lord, I am sorry. Holy Spirit make my Bible all about You and easy to see, read, and understand, that they may become followers of you and become Bibles themselves that others may read and God be glorified through it all. Amen.</span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-42640524432719299702022-09-20T13:56:00.001-07:002022-09-20T13:56:29.162-07:00Was I Heroic?<p> </p><h3 align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://milesofthejourney.blogspot.com/2010/06/was-i-heroic.html">Was I
Heroic?</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Friday afternoon
before Memorial Day weekend, I planned on a three hour bike on the interstate
feeder road. There is not a lot of traffic there other than the few off ramps
from freeway. You just have to watch out for those vehicles coming off the
freeway. <br />
<br />
I went through an industrial park complex-about a mile and a half loop-figuring
to do it 2 or 3 times before heading north on the feeder road. For some reason I
did only 2 loops. Out on the feeder I thought about turning right at the next
crossover and pick up a few miles on the southbound feeder before heading north
again. At the last moment, I decided to just go straight; keep going north. <br />
<br />
About a half mile from that intersection was a freeway off ramp and I got
across ahead of a vehicle which seemed to coming really fast. Then suddenly,
right me, I heard the crash, bang, scraping sound that only an automobile
accident sounds like.<br />
<br />
The off ramp has a quick turn to it and the vehicle had failed to negotiate
that turn. After tearing off the front bumper, caving in the doors, the vehicle
finally came to a stop right in the intersection of the off ramp and the feeder
road. Steam was coming from under the hood and water was spewing all over. The
horn was blaring. <br />
<br />
Laying my bike in the ditch, I ran back and looked inside the vehicle. The
interior was full of some kind of smoke. Two elderly ladies were in the front
seat. Afraid that the vehicle was on fire or about to be, I tried to open the
door. Nothing doing. With all my might I leaned into it, pulling on that
creaking, protesting door until finally I got it open.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
About that time another vehicle started down the off ramp. I ran into the off
ramp and start waving. Of course they can see me. I am in a bike helmet, bright
red bike shirt, and bold blue bike shorts; a great day to be loud with the
colors. I stopped the oncoming vehicle, told him where we were and asked the
driver to please call 911. <br />
Back to the vehicle and going to the other side of the vehicle. The passenger's
face was bloodied. I pried her door open too but she did not get out. The
airbag had deployed and she was trying to get her breath back from being hit by
the airbag. <br />
<br />
More vehicles were on the off ramp and I ran back waving them to slow down and
take to the shoulder and around the wrecked vehicle. After several more
vehicles were directed away from the wrecked vehicle, the police arrived and
then the ambulance. <br />
<br />
The little ladies would be OK. The driver was 80 years old. She said she had
tried to slow down for the quick turn in the off ramp but the harder she
pressed the brake the faster she seemed to go. She also said they were so
blessed not to be hurt any worse than they were. Finally, almost tearfully she
added that they had prayed about this trip before they left.<br />
<br />
Later, it sort of hit me. Was I heroic? It didn't feel heroic at the time. It
just felt like I was where I was there for a purpose that was served. Perhaps,
I was the answer to the lady's prayer: that I would be in that place at just
the right time to be blessed by having that opportunity and calling to provide
service for another. No, I wasn't heroic at all but I am thankful that I was
obedient. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-59370435924726973612022-09-14T15:40:00.002-07:002022-09-14T15:40:44.173-07:00By the Fire on a Frosty Morning<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the fire on this frosty morning, there is a quiet peace of
Spirit - a knowing, a sensing, a loving that now permeates my being and washes
over me like a gentle warm wave, tingling my soul with a delight that is not
fully comprehended. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: grey;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Peace and joy glow within and without as yesterday’s failures and
successes softly drift away into the silent swirling fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distant times are fading into hazy
reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past and future are
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that is felt, and all that
remains is this one moment, this warmth, and a love that only intimacy with God
can create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: grey;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank
you, God, for this moment in which one truly lives in life eternal, living life
in You.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-6905320336691847292022-09-13T14:24:00.002-07:002022-09-13T14:24:37.972-07:00The Mystery of a Turn Not Taken<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Mystery of a Turn Not Taken<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Power of a Mother’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She always prayed for me
prior to these events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this would be
my first Half-Ironman distance triathlon, and the distances concerned her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother was in her nineties and had never
been real sure about triathlons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, having accumulated some extensive experience with me, she had
always been aware that me and my activities could sometimes be a little off
dead center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The distances concerned me
too, and I was more than a little nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Early the next day, on the edge of a large lake, just before the start,
I prayed too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The wind wasn’t bad yet,
thank God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an eerie quietness
to it all, like in the eye of a storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The long line of buoys that marked the swim course out into the open
lake had given my prerace jitters a serious booster shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will this ever start?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The starting gun sounded and
we raced into the water for the long swim.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
Once I was out in the open lake, things started calming down, that is
until the </span>Velcro<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> ankle strap that held my timing chip started coming
loose.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Twice I had to stop and secure
it.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The pack of swimmers I was with left
me behind and I found myself swimming in the open lake all alone and talking to
myself.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> “Settle down.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> It will be a long day.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Relax – Pray.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And so I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swim got better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the distraction of nearby swimmers,
my rhythm sort of came into its own and I started catching the slower swimmers
in my group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really settling into my
zone, I began passing several swimmers in the front of my group as well as some
in the group that had started several minutes before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all flowing so well when, almost too
soon, it was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was helped to
scramble up a muddy bank to run to the transition area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a small cheering crowd, including
my wife, on the way to the transition area. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Great swim,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I beamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah, it was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the
cheering and my wife’s encouraging words, I was really into this event. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The transition was relaxed
but efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My spirit was still
soaring as I straddled my bike to begin my long ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed an exciting possibility that I was
actually on my way to finishing the Half-Ironman distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was far from over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it was just getting started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it started to appear tougher when the
bike would not shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bike was stuck
in the big front gear and one of the smaller gears in the rear: a tough
proposition if the course were to get hilly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After several stops to get the gears to shift, I finally gave up and
resigned myself to the fact that I would do the ride in one gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of people had passed me while I was
stopped for repairs, and now I began to pass them back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My spirit began to regain its previous
momentum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, it felt great to be
moving really well on my bike, passing rider after rider!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was into it again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The course had some low hills, which only
whetted my appetite for the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>High gear or whatever, I seemed to be riding fearlessly, giving little
heed to the large number of miles still to go to finish this race. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, I could see no one
else ahead to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back, I
could see no one behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was alone
and on fire on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More hills –
steeper hills – and still no one appeared ahead of me and no one behind
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steeper hills still, pushing that
high gear that I would have loved to be able to shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But strangely, no rider was ahead of me that
I could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Topping another steep hill,
I was confronted with a stop sign and the knowledge that the road ended where
it intersected a main highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
saw the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that I didn’t
remember seeing an intersection like this on the course map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a town?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taking one last look behind, I could see a half mile or mile back from
where I had come; no one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been
quite some time since I had seen another rider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hadn’t seen any turn signs on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a tanker truck chugged by, blowing
diesel fumes all over me, I came to the realization: I was lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really didn’t have a good idea of how to
get back on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart went
out of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly very tired, I
was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Down the highway a bit was a
convenience store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would need to call
my wife to pick me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People gave me
the looks when I started into the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There I was in this little country town on a Sunday morning with a
number on a waistband, numbers painted on my shoulders and legs, and wearing
that tight little spandex thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I
must have looked a little funny there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The store owner let me use the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After I made my call, several folks came over to talk to me and I think
to sort of look me over again, like they were trying to identify a
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those moments, I was the
talk of the town: the body painted weirdo in tight pants, riding a bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no shortage of locals that wanted
to talk to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being lonesome was not
one of my problems right then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
been hesitant and somewhat distant at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But once they became convinced I was harmless, they were loaded with
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had several entertaining
conversations while waiting for my ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somehow, the humor of it all took the edge off the fact that I had
messed up my Half-Ironman attempt royally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When my wife arrived, I
loaded up and went to see just where I had gone wrong on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After driving around a while, we determined
that I had missed a left turn several miles back from the town I ended up
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder I had the road to myself
for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the turns on the course
had had persons directing riders to turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why had I not seen that one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had never missed a turn before in several other events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, the road crew person was on a
bathroom break about the time I came by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who knows how this could have happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, I was disappointed that I didn’t get to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the friendly people at the store and the
absurdity of me missing a turn had me a little lighthearted too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mood was almost as upbeat as if I had finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On the way home I called my
mother to say all had gone well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t
going to give her details just yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
said that she was so glad I called, that she had been especially worried about
me this time, in this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact,
she had been so worried that she had left church and gone home and prayed for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked, “Was it the long swim in
the open lake?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” she told me, “it wasn’t
the swim I was worried about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
bike part of it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something was really
upsetting to her about me doing the bike leg of this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had no way of knowing that I was going to
get lost on the bike course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time
she was praying for my safety was approximately the time during which I missed
my turn on the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could a prayer
have turned me aside from the course to avoid an accident or some other
tragedy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could this whole experience
have been one that worked out for ultimate good?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows what fate might have been awaiting
me that was averted by the power of a mother’s prayers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-57240991888198580572022-09-08T13:52:00.004-07:002022-09-08T13:52:29.151-07:00The Lady No One Could Stand<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lady No One Could Stand<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She wasn’t pretty. In fact, she had a somewhat disheveled
look to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows what her job
was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked at, but she came around to transact
some sort of business in my department now and then. Everyone avoided her as
much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“She’s mean and hateful,” they would say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’ll bite your head off. Better to leave
her alone.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Indeed, she looked the part. Her furrowed brow, her large
eyebrows, the narrow hollow eyes, the set jaw, all gave her the look of someone
you better leave alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never had
much to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>say, and what she did say was
short and curt, in a “better leave me alone” tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one could stand her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Something wouldn’t let me stop wondering
why someone would want to be such a mean and disagreeable person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every time she would come around that thought would peak my
curiosity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides curiosity, I also
felt pity that someone could choose to live <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>life so full of bitterness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On my own I am not that caring or sensitive
but God has a way of melting my heart like heat melts a candle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My candle was being melted as the light from
God to my heart was beginning to drive away the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I started to see things a little differently despite what
this mysterious “everyone” said about this woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already having a natural distrust of majority
opinion, I just had to experience this for myself. One day as she was coming
down the hall to our office to make her delivery, I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>got in the hall ahead of her,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>smiled, and told her good morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was taken aback, and glared at me like I
had offended her in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept
the smile and let silence take its course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a few moments I asked her how does she feel today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the customary “how are you,” but a little more personal, to suggest I
really did want to know how she felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her face took on a startled, confused look .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Who told you,” she snapped.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Told me what?” A<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>long pause and her face seemed to be losing its rigidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eyes widened, showing a fear and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pain I had not seen before in her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there were tears, sobbing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tears<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held her hand as she explained her terrible
diagnosis:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she was dying of cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I will pray for you”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She nodded, wiped away her tear, patted me on the arm, and
moved past me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Her face never had the meanness on it again that I could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was my vision of her now and maybe
it was her vision that someone cared; that someone was praying for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the office consensus concerning
this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>poor woman never changed until one
day I told them the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then
their faces seemed to soften.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, they
seemed to have compassion instead of condemnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the next few weeks several more people
talked and became involved with this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>poor soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were hugs, more
tears, and the Love of God got real for all of us and for this “lady no one
could stand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-86603608931074098192022-08-06T15:50:00.114-07:002023-10-04T12:18:53.249-07:00#1 of The Book of Mark Chapter 2: <p> <span style="font-size: large;">Mark 2: 1-4</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised the He was in the house</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>And straightway many were gathered together, in so much that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the Word unto them. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It didn't take long before people were aware of Jesus in their midst. Don't we wish it were that way now? Word traveled fast. The Word was back in town. And here is that word of immediacy again -"straightway"- many came together. This meeting didn't evolve - it happened. They moved in on Jesus and the small house He was in quickly ran out of room. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Nothing like company barging in without invitation or notice to make you a cranky host. Folks filled up the house and even crowded around the door. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In the midst of all this Jesus never got cranky, never lost focus of His calling. He did what He came for. He saw what they lacked and He had what they needed - they needed the Word, a message from God. "and he preached the Word unto them." Jesus didn't turn them away; He preached the Word unto them. And, He won't turn you or me away either, no matter the hassle, if we are dying of a thirst for the truth of the Gospel, Jesus won't turn us away. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And they came to Him, bringing one sick of palsy which was borne of four.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And when could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was; and when they had broken it up they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I can guess Jesus smiled at their effort and their faith, that if they could just get their friend to Jesus, he would be healed. Do we have the faith to put forth the effort to tear up a roof or two to get those we love to Jesus, that they might be healed.</span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-14166506787925461942022-07-17T16:28:00.004-07:002023-08-29T08:48:16.336-07:00# 18 The Book of Mark - Chapter One Summary - The Beginning Ministry<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">That is the end of Chapter 1 of the The Book of Mark. A lot has gone on in those 45 verses. Things are moving <span> quickly in "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." In those verses "forthwith" is used twice. "Immediately" and "straightway" are used four times each.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> It starts with John the Baptist preaching to "prepare ye the way." Then Jesus comes and is baptized and the voice of God confirms the ministry of Jesus when He came out of the water. Immediately He is taken to be tempted by satan. Jesus then went to Galilee and started preaching. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to "follow" Him. They Immediately left what they were doing and obeyed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>He then went to Capernaum and preached in the synagogue and to the amazement of everyone He spoke "as one with authority." Jesus cast out the demons of an unclean man, again, to the amazement and astonishment of everyone. His fame spread. </span>He went to Simon Peter's house where He found Peter's mother-in-law very sick. He healed her and she served them in that same hour. In the evening many came to be healed and freed from unclean spirits.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus went off by Himself to pray before daylight the next morning. The disciples found Him and He told them He is to preach to other towns and places as well. And He did. And there was a leper that came to be healed and Jesus touched Him and healed Him. Jesus told Him not to tell anyone but go to the priest and shew himself to the priest for the cleansing ritual Moses had prescribed long ago. He didn't do it. He "blazed abroad the matter" and it made it difficult for Jesus to preach in the cities. So, He preached in "desert places, " and still "they came to Him from every quarter. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, we come from baptism to people coming to Him "from every quarter." It all started because according to the wisdom of God, it was time. And look how soon it all happened when the "beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" is turned loose upon a sin filled and hurting world.</span></p><p><br /></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-50114184521888761122022-07-13T11:46:00.005-07:002022-07-13T16:21:45.608-07:00# 17 The Book of Mark - Father Knows Best<b><u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Mark 1:42-45</span></u></b><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-size: large;">It is always best to obey Jesus. The healed leper didn't. He could have said, "I just couldn't help myself." There are varied thoughts as to why Jesus told the leper to not tell and follow the then prescribed law "which Moses commanded." But my guess is that it wasn't the time "to blaze abroad the matter." </span><span style="font-size: large;">But as dread a disease - socially, personally, and physically - as leprosy was, amazement and gratitude would indeed be hard to contain. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It might be something akin to when Jesus took the leprosy of our sins away. There is such a rush, a consuming joy, a special feeling of a captive set free. It is hard not to "blaze it abroad." </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But what can happen is that the new believers unbridled enthusiasm coupled with their lack of knowledge and awareness can make a mockery of their witness. Some even think their calling is so very special that they are supposed to be preachers. Who knows but that they were called into some other type of service God has equipped them for? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">You would have thought that the leper would have realized that a man with power enough to heal something as dread a leprosy, should have the authority and respect to be obeyed. It is the same with us. We revel in the gifts and disobey the Giver. We need to remember--</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Father knows best.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-68248563876364997032022-07-10T13:04:00.000-07:002022-07-10T13:04:04.471-07:00# 16 - The Book of Mark - Desperate for Jesus<p><u><b> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Mark: 1: 39-41</span></b></u></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, if thou wilt, though canst make me clean.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will: be thou clean.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>In the last post </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://seeingglassdrarkly.blogspot.com/2022/07/15-book-of-mark-need-to-pray.html">Moments: #15 - The Book of Mark - A Need to Pray (seeingglassdrarkly.blogspot.com</a> , </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus had gone apart early to pray and when the disciples found Him, they told Him "All men seek ye." But Jesus had been talking to the Father and without further ado, told them, He was going to preach in other towns. His ministry would not be limited</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In this expanded ministry, "there came a leper." Leprosy was a terrible thing in those days. A sort of rotting disease of the skin, it rendered a man or woman unclean. They were banished from the fellowship of their society. They were cut off and had to live outside the camp. And this leper approached and spoke to Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That was against the law, but I might guess he thought what did he have to lose? He was already marked for social isolation, a painful life of humiliating disease, and ultimately death. But something about Jesus gave him a glimmer of hope, and just enough faith to risk more rebuke and punishment. Something about Jesus said He was the real deal and he had nothing to lose. Sometimes that is how we come to know Jesus to begin with, when there is no other good choice. And later you find that the only good choice was the absolute best choice you could have made if you had had many more options. I only regret I didn't make that best choice earlier. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And the leper kneeled down to Him. The posture shows respect, humility, faith, and hope before God. The leper was all in with Jesus. No holding back; no turning back. If any one of us have any hope for eternity or any chance in this life at all, it is because of Jesus. Life can be scary a lot of the time and we need to know a Saviour to reach out to. As Peter said when he started sinking while walking on the water; "Lord, save me!" </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> He told Jesus essentially that I believe that if you choose to save me you can. His heart was moved with compassion at the desperate hope of the leper and Jesus touched Him. Lepers were unclean in those day and not touched. What does that tell you about God? Could it say that you can't get so sick with the disease of sin, or your life get so pitiful, diseased, and distorted, God still love you. When you desperately want to be healed, desperate enough to risk what's left of yourself bow to Jesus in faith and repentance, Jesus will say, "I will; be thou clean." God loves you. In Jesus name; Amen</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-23750935288956655912022-07-09T17:39:00.004-07:002022-07-09T17:39:41.638-07:00#15 - The Book of Mark - A Need to Pray<p><b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mark 1:35-38</span></span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And Simon and they that were with him followed after him</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And when they had found Him, they said unto him, all men seek for thee.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And he said unto them, let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus needed time alone and thought it important enough to get up before daylight and go to a solitary place. And He prayed. He wasn't going to be turned aside by His present popularity. He saw through all that and wanted quiet time with the Father. He needed to pray. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When was the last time you were at the top of your game, that you took out early before daylight to go pray? That is not usually when people really stretch themselves to pray. I have a place I go to pray in the woods here, but I usually go there when my tail is in a crack, or I want God to intervene for someone in sick or trouble. On my better days, I go there to praise Him; on my best days I go there for close, intimate time with God. On those times I always leave my prayer spot with a warmth in my heart and a sense of direction in my life. I know He will not remove the obstacles, but I know He will be with me through them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Gospel was about to be launched to other parts of the world. Jesus could have stayed where He was at and been local hero from then on. But that was not what He was called to do. I don't think He prayed that God would clear His path to bring the Gospel to the rest of the world. I think He prayed for strength to live out His calling all the way to the cross. Aren't you glad He did? I am.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In Jesus name, Amen.</span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-37254729007188564342022-07-08T17:42:00.004-07:002022-07-08T17:53:35.064-07:00#14 The Book of Mark - Gratitude Toward God<p> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b>Mark 1:32-34</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed of devils.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And all the city was gathered together at the door.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>W</i>ord travels fast in a small town especially about miraculous happenings. The ministry of Jesus had begun in earnest. It would never be the same. He and His miracles would be sought after by multitudes from now on. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He healed many and many more came wanting something from Jesus. I wondered how many really benefited spiritually from being healed physically. Prayers are easy to come by when the storms roll in, but when the storm is passed, the gratitude is reasserted as something achieved by yourself. I've done it many times. I have prayed and prayed for this illness or this or that, and when I get it answered, I </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My dad had cancer. It was bad. We had our church praying and several other churches praying for the success of his treatment. I told him that and he was so grateful, it seemed. He got better. The treatment worked. Praise God. Over time he recovered from all the treatment. He got to take his boat out fishing again. God had given his life back to him. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After some time I heard him talking to someone about his experience and heard him talking about how HE beat cancer, and how you just got to be tough and more or less knuckle your way through it, like he did. There was no gratitude left. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I felt a cold chill run up my back and somehow I could feel it. "Please God, don't remove your protection. He is just a prideful man. Please. A week later he was out fishing when his urine turned to blood. Back to the hospital and he died shortly. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Revisiting those times makes me reflect upon gratitude toward God. May I I never forsake the gratitude and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>go my merry way taking credit for myself, forgetting the gift and the Giver. In prayers answered yes and those answered no, may I never forget </span><span>to praise Him for all he has done and all He will do. In Jesus name, Amen.</span></span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-58547496835684489532022-07-07T16:58:00.002-07:002022-07-07T16:58:23.119-07:00# 13 - The Book of Mark - Lifted Up to Lift Others<p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><u>Mark 1: 29-31</u></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A</span><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">nd forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andres, with James and John.</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of fever, and anon they tell him of her. </span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And he came and took her by the hand, and lifter her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.</span></i></b></p><p>A<span style="font-size: large;">fter a miraculous experience in the synagogue, Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, and John went to Simon Peter's house. It was customary to have the meal right after the service. Not much has changed. But Peter's mother-in-law was sick with fever. You know how fever makes you feel; pretty sickly and weak. Perhaps it was not a good time to bring visitors for the big meal. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When they told Jesus about her, He immediately went to help. That's Jesus. He might have been tired. He might have been hungry. But there was a real need and Jesus went to fill it. If I want to be more like Jesus, I might consider just what Jesus did. He put himself and His own claimant needs aside to help someone in need.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus spoke and acted "with authority." He didn't do any smoke burning or mutter endless streams of incantations. He simply "came and took her by the hand and lifted her up." The fever left her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The world can be a feverish place. There are so many sick with their own brand of fevers. I have been one of those myself. There is so much fever in and within our lives that our lives "lay sick." God has a plan and a purpose for the work He wants us to do but we lay sick with our respective fever. We can't seem cure ourselves. All we seem capable of doing is laying there and sweat it out. Nothing gets better. We need Jesus to take us by the hand and lift us up. His touch, His power can lift us up out of our beds, heal our fevers, and put us on solid footing to go with the journey He set us upon. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Peter's mother-in-law was lifted up and healed to minister. So are we. Each time Jesus takes our feverish hand and soothes our souls, it isn't just so we can have a "feel good" moment with Jesus. We are lifted up to lift others up. We are saved so that we might serve the one who saved us, in whose name I pray, Amen</span></p><p><br /></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-25014857936518881372022-07-06T18:38:00.004-07:002022-07-06T18:38:30.181-07:00#12 - The Book of Mark - Who Is Jesus?<p><b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mark 1:28</span></u></b></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.</span></b></i></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There is that word "immediately" again. The Gospel has arrived. It has been anointed and tested. "Straightway" he had called His disciples have been called and "straightway" they left their nets and followed. He "straightway" on the Sabbath entered the synagogue and taught with authority and further amazed the people by healing a man in the synagogue of an unclean spirit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is not surprising that his fame spread abroad throughout Galilee. But I wonder what they believed about Jesus. Did they think Him just another magic man? Was He just a highly intelligent theologian? Who was He? I would imagine many different people had many different ideas about who this man call Jesus was? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We have the Bible. God speaks with authority there. We have seen God work in our lives and in the lives of others. We have felt Him touch our hearts, but who is He to you? What place is He in your life? Is His Gospel just good theology. Is He just a good miracle worker that you might call upon if things start going south and you need Him to throw down a miracle or two and make things better? Or - are you "amazed" at what He has done in your life? Are grateful that He came for you, to die for you, to set you free, that His Gospel is your Gospel.</span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-37166015209016903352022-07-05T16:55:00.002-07:002022-07-06T18:17:38.476-07:00# 11 - The Book of Mark - A Person With Authority<p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>Mark 1:23-27:</u></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Saying, let us alone; what have we to do with thee, though Jesus of Nazareth: art thou come to destroy us the Holy One of God. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And Jesus rebuked him, saying, <span style="color: red;">hold thy peace, and come out of him</span>.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>When the unclean spirit had torn him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It seems that an unclean spirit was the first, or at least among the first to recognize who Jesus was. It doesn't say Jesus confronted the man with the unclean spirit but the unclean Spirit seems to be on high alert around Jesus. The very Prescence of Jesus brought him fear. And rightly so. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And when rebuked, the unclean spirit tore the man and cried out in a loud voice and then he came out. Drastic change is often painful and rendering. Getting off alcohol, drugs, coffee, sweets all withdrawal symptoms which often are not pretty, but in order to be free from whatever possesses us, there are most often painful withdrawal symptoms. Freedom comes with a price.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Freedom from sin through Jesus Christ comes with a price, but Jesus Himself paid it for you. But the people didn't seem to ask Jesus about all this. They questioned among themselves, wondering about what new doctrine this was? It wasn't a doctrine. It was a person - a person with authority from God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-76633966857995218602022-07-04T16:45:00.004-07:002022-07-04T16:45:35.557-07:00# 10 --- The Book of Mark - Teaching With Authority<p> <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Mark: 1: 21-22</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as on that had authority, and not as the scribes.</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus gathered His disciples and "straightway" entered the Synagogue on the sabbath. Things are moving quickly like in the preceding verses. And He taught. The fact that He was allowed to teach shows that Jesus seemed to already have some authority. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But that was teaching like they had never heard. Jesus didn't teach like one had before. This was not three points and a conclusion. He wasn't drawing upon other writings or what others said as the scribes would most often do. No. Jesus spoke with authority of one who knew firsthand: "the author and finisher of our faith."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And they were astonished at His doctrine as it shed new light and ushered in the beginning of the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. "For God so loved." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Did they accept it? It says only that they were astonished. Did you accept the Gospel the first time you heard it? I didn't. I heard it many times before I let Jesus inside. That is one of my life regrets that I didn't take Him in the first time He called</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amen </span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-59347472234395938202022-07-03T14:31:00.003-07:002022-07-03T14:51:38.506-07:00#9 - The Book of Mark - Follow Me; No Buts<p> <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Mark 2: 16-20</span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. </span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And when he had gone a little farther there, he saw James and John his brother, who were also in the ship mending their nets.</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Five verses and three begin with and. That seems to convey a sense of continuing motion. It doesn't suggest a ponderous enterprise in the calling of his closest disciples. Jesus didn't hesitate to ask and Peter, Andrew, James, and John did not hesitate to accept. This is quite different from what occurred in Luke 9:60 : </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>And he said unto another Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. </i></b></span></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">In Luke 9:61: Another said "I will follow thee, but <span style="color: #cc0000;">let me first </span>go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. </span></b></i></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Let me first before I follow" was their reply</i><b>. </b><b style="font-style: italic;"> However </b>he calling was and always will be, "seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added unto you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Consider the difference in Mark 1. The future disciples were all busy and maybe a little worn out. They were in the middle of something important to their livelihood "And straightway they left their nets and followed him."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"And straightway he called them: and they left--." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There were not "buts" from the chosen, only obedience. They didn't ask questions, make excuses, or look back.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Again, from Luke 9:62: <i><b>And Jesus said unto him No man, having put his hand to the plough, and look back, is fit for the kingdom of God.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the days ahead, am I going to be looking back or will I straightway leave my nets and follow an uncertain physical future to follow a certain Savior, seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-24701676565327868042022-07-02T10:39:00.005-07:002022-07-02T10:39:38.313-07:00#8 The Book of Mark - The Time is Fulfilled<p><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mark 1: 14-15</span></u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">J</span><span style="font-size: large;">ohn had "preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" The message of Jesus was that the time of preparing a way is over - the time is fulfilled - what you have waited for, hoped for, prayed for is here - now- "The kingdom of God is at hand." Repent and believe. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That is still the message of Jesus today: repent and believe. Believe what? Believe the Gospel, that through faith, through believing that Jesus came to die on the cross for our remission of sins. The Gospel is good news. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Repent and believe the good news, that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16</span></i></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864147473400071542.post-18406274871109997852022-07-01T13:34:00.000-07:002022-07-01T13:34:06.567-07:00(7) The Book of Mark : The Immediately Attack<p> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Mark 1:12-13</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan: and was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>J</i>esus got a well-pleased from God and "immediately" He was tried, his commitment challenged, and tested. Nothing was easy for Jesus. In the Book of Matthew, it says He fasted forty days. Jesus was fresh from anointing and now thrown into hunger, thirst, danger, and temptation, alone in the wilderness. In Matthew it also said, Jesus was tempted three times of the devil and after all this is when the angels came and ministered to Him. The ministry of Jesus had a rough start. But it wasn't Satan who drove Jesus into the wilderness. It was the Spirit. God knows we must be tried to know who and whose we are.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever been taken and tempted in some wilderness in your life? Did it seem to come "immediately" after some special mountaintop experience? It has for me, so much so that I am a little afraid of mountaintop experiences as they often signal "duck- incoming." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There is a saying that "thieves don't break into empty houses and dogs don't chase park cars." Satan won't bother you much as long as you stand still with your faith. Job done. It is when I seem to be moving and growing in my faith that Satan just won't leave me alone. It is a pretty good sign that I am on the right track.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I remember studying and having, what I thought a really good Sunday School lesson. I was happy about it and thrilled by the experience of getting to present it. That Sunday morning getting into the car to go to church, my wife and I got into an argument. My mood was dampened and clouded, and all I could think about was what she said, I said, and she should have and all that. Then I caught myself and caught Satan at his game. Stop the car and let's pray. It did indeed turn out to be a great lesson not because I taught it but because God blessed it and Satan was overcome this time. Knowing all this, I still watch for that "immediately" attack that often follows a blessed experience. Amen</span></p>Miles of the Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00295194313811880472noreply@blogger.com0