How many people do you know that are really excited about a new day starting, or a new event to go to? Or perhaps a new experience like a new song to learn, or for those that love to act, a new part to memorize?  Maybe a looked forward to all year long a two week vacation to arrive?  How boring life would be if we didn't have something to look forward to.  If all you did was get up in the morning, go to work, come home watch TV and then go to bed, to start all over again in the morning, would not be a very fruitful life, wouldn't you agree?  Then if that is the case, what other "things" do you really look forward to doing that gives you enjoyment?

There are so many things that I enjoy doing, learning, experiencing, that there is not time enough in the day to cram it all in!  I love to read.  I was email talking to my cousin the other day and we were discussing reading books.  I told here I usually have two books going at the same time. One is for when I am at home and find time to pick it up and read a bit, and the other is in my equipment tot that goes with me whenever I leave the house.  I carry my electrical plug for my machine so I don't have to rely on the battery, extra hose, blood oxygen meter, medication chart that I am taking daily, and back-up three hour battery PLUS a book!  Quite often, I get really caught up in a part and will do some more reading when I get home.  But mostly read it while waiting for our food to come while out for a lunch or early supper somewhere.  We both enjoy reading.  Then there is my music.  I am now finishing my first set of 25, Song books for Sunday evening church when it starts up again.  They are a collection of music that I know the tunes to and some of them are going to be new to those that come to the Sunday evening worship before Bible Study.  The youth seem to really enjoy hearing a guitar played with the music, so am excited to be able to furnish that for them.  Being in graphic arts most of my life, I enjoy putting together printed booklets, flyers, etc.  Church is where these things usually are produced for.  Recently (several months ago) I put a little tract together from an idea I got while visiting my cousin and her husband in Alabama this last year.  We went to a Wednesday night meal and what I would call WORSHIP, but don't know what the real name of it would be called.  I was so impressed and got really excited about the message that I took it home and wrote a sermon based on Matthew 9:36-38.  It became a three part message and I finished the series up with giving everyone a tract to take home and contemplate a while and see if they could come up with a personal plan about their walk with Jesus.  The tract was redesigned from what we were given at the Alabama Church, because that's what I do.  I love to make things look good.  It was called "Laborers of the Harvest". It is nine simple question headings, with two or three specific questions under that main question, designed to make one think of the important things in life and how they live it.  For example:  Proclaiming Truth We're NOT living  Is my private lifestyle consistent with what I proclaim to others?    •    Now there is a question that hits most people right where it hurts!  It isn't only the occasional televangelist that gets caught up in real life of opposite realities, but we as human beings can also get caught up in it ourselves.  So, this is what I offered for my congregation to contemplate.  What I understand now is that there are varying levels of tolerance when talking about a subject such as this.  Where I thought I was making headway in something of value to those I was responsible for spiritually, and which I take very seriously, was a little less accepted than I had hoped.  Will it deter me from proclaiming the Word of God as I feel that God is directing me to?  No.  It is up to God, if that is what HE wants of me, I am listening.  I am waiting.  I am continuing to prepare myself to be a servant of God and feel that He has been preparing me for something special, and am praying that I am smart enough to recognize what it is, soon enough to act on it.  Until that time comes, I will continue to pray for guidance.  I am not a theology scholar. I am a man that has many faults, but am trying to overcome to show others that it is God in my life that makes a difference on how I live, how I raise my family, how I treat people that I come in contact with, not just family and close friends, but every one.  My job right now is "Retired Printer/retired Military guy", but my real job. . . the purpose of my life that God has been grooming me for, is still to come. I know it.  I can feel God's presence every day.  It is what I enjoy, because it makes God happy.

I am learning that people come in all kinds of packages.  Some are clear plastic...others are cast iron.  God is involved no matter what package and what baggage we have in these packages we call our LIFE.  I may be waiting, but it isn't a static wait.  It is an ACTIVE wait.  It is a "doing" wait. I am preparing, by prayer, reading, watching and listening for that whisper.

I am praying for everyone who is reading this today.  There are some of you that I don't even know.  How cool is that?  That statistics have someone in Europe and even Russia reading what I write.  I don't know your names, but I am praying that I am somehow making some kind of a difference in your life.  May God whisper for you too.  In order to hear His whisper, one must be listening for it.  It is then that you know what needs to be done.  Help your fellow man.  Love each other. This is real life stuff here. The days of the Hippies of the Sixty's have gone. This is the real time.  Help each other through difficulties and trying times.  Then you can share in the excitement of the results. It will make your days exciting!  You will WANT to get up in the morning and get going.  Try it out, and try to prove me wrong. You will be so surprised!

GOD bless each and every one.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling,

Blessings,
Gary