Update:
I spent all day Thursday at the office.
It was a very busy day with lots of people in and out. I was especially happy to see the phone
company show up to fix our telephone line.
On Friday I have to get into work early enough to make certain that the
internet is back up and working. Then I
need to upload some software I purchased.
Our trial just expired this morning.
I purchased the software five days ago but our internet problems have
precluded me from getting it loaded. I
hope it won’t be too much of a hassle.
After that I hope to get my sermon far enough along that I can get the
insert to my secretary before I have to leave today.
The wedding rehearsal went well last night. Wedding today (Friday) at 2 p.m. Should be a lovely service. Last night at the rehearsal was the longest
that I’ve stood without a cane (about 1 ½ hours). I was glad when I got a chance to sit down
and give my muscles a rest. It is kind
of funny what things have become a big deal.
I used to stand for hours without a thought about it; now I am
constantly thinking about when I can sit down.
However, I notice that every month that goes by my ability changes. I assume that eventually I’ll become strong
enough that I won’t even think about it.
Last night someone asked me how long it took to learn to walk without a
conscious thought. I still haven’t
mastered that on grass or uneven terrain; but except for things like stairs, I
really don’t even think about walking on even, flat surfaces. I’m not even certain when that change
occurred. Somewhere along the line, I
just overcame the need to constantly think about walking. It’s become second nature to me (well, since
I learned it before—perhaps it really should be “third nature” instead. LOL).
I still consciously think through going down stairs and over some
obstacles—I am worried about taking a misstep and taking a tumble. I don’t want to break something which would
set me back while it heals.
Thought for the Day:
In the Old Testament book of Jonah, God commanded the prophet Jonah to
go to the city of Nineveh in the Assyrian Empire and preach a message of
repentance to them. Jonah didn’t want to
do that. The Assyrians were the enemies
of Israel. They were known as cruel and
ruthless conquerors. At the time of
Jonah, the Assyrian Empire was in a weakened state. Jonah wanted them destroyed and wiped out,
not forgiven and restored; so instead of heading east towards Nineveh like he
was told, he headed west and jumped a ship to take him far away. God had a different plan between a huge storm
at sea and superstitious sailors, Jonah ended up in the belly of a whale for
three days.
I am certain it wasn’t a pleasant experience but it gave Jonah plenty
of time to think and eventually decide that he would obey God given the
chance. And God gave his disobedient
prophet a second chance.
Jonah preached to the people of the city and they responded to the
message of repentance. This is the only
recorded occurrence of God sending one of His prophets to preach to a group of
heathens who worshiped false gods.
What we should learn from this passage is that God is the God of second
chances. His own prophet had disobeyed
Him—yet God gave him a second chance.
The Assyrian Empire didn’t even worship God—yet God gave them a chance
for redemption as well. That is about as
far as “A is to Z” on a spiritual continuum; and God gave them both another
chance. If God gives that kind of “Is
that your final answer?” opportunity to them; then it stands to reason that He
will give the same opportunity to us. No
matter how many times we have rejected Him or turned our backs upon His
commandments; He will respond to us when we finally repent and turn towards
Him.
That should be a comfort to every one of us. There is nothing that we have done that would
be too great for God to forgive. That is
such good news! When I have been pig-headed
and stubborn and chosen to do what I desire rather than obey God—there is still
a way back. I am thankful that scripture
says that God is patient and forbearing with us and we turned into crispy
critters the very first instance of disobedience.
So our goal should be to not force God to place us in horrible position
before we wake up to our need to turn back to Him. Fish are slimy enough on the
outside; I don’t want to know how slimy they are from the inside.
“God
understands our disobedient heart. He sees what we really are; yet He gives
second chances. God gave Jonah a second chance. He gave the people of Nineveh a
second chance. It is a lesson of love from a heavenly Father who specializes in
second chances. Have you blown it? Have you disappointed someone close to you?
God is the God of second chances. All we have to do is acknowledge our
waywardness. He will restore. He will give grace. Ask Him.” [Os Hillman, Today God is First (TGIF), daily
on-line devotional: 7-23-2014].
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