Amazing now many time we say "faith is being tested", I think we should be saying, we need to test our feelings.  Our feelings are so deceptive.  That is what gets us in trouble.  If we are Christina and we have the Holy Spirit, our faith is never tested.  It is solid in Christ.John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Being back in Rock Island last weekend was wonderful, but it was a long trip for a short time.  Time seems to fly when you are having fun.   12 Years ago today seems like just yesterday, but it was many moons ago and many things have happened since.

I was very lonely 12 years ago, living alone much like I am in Virginia right now, but the difference would be on that faithful day 12 years ago... I came upon Don Merritt.

I was very intent in not spending my life alone, so that Friday after dating a few losers.  I meant Don on Yahoo.  He lived in Carson City, NV while I lived in Fallon, NV.  He was a Christian.  You see my prayers to God over the weeks prior to meeting Don were to meet a man of God, that took his faith seriously.  One that would love me and care of me for me.

So we chatted online and agreed to talk on the phone that evening.  Don is a sports fan, so that was a sacrifice, the World Series games were on, but we talked for 2 hours.  We meant several days later and the rest is history.  

Don and I had so much in common and so much to share with each other over the next 12 years.

I have never doubted my love for this man or God's plan for our lives.  He led us to Milan Christian Church and it has grown and the people have matured there because of Don's teaching.   Who knows where he will lead us next, but I trust God has a plan.

Now I am separated from him again, but I have is love and the knowledge we are focusing on Christ ministry in our lives.  Don and I do not know where that will take us, but we are together in spirit and enjoy and savor our time together.

My love for God first and my love for Don have only grown over the years.  Don has helped me to mature in my faith and God placed this man in my life to share these experiences.

Happy Anniversary to my Husband, Don.  This is been a great ride these 12 years.

Love ya.

I left here Saturday morning for Illinois and returned late last night to Virginia.  I was tired and frustrated last night.  My 3 hour drive from Rock Island to Chicago was crazy.  Thought I wasn't going to make the airport in time and couldn't find the rental car place to drop off the car.  My GPS one time was running out of battery and I was afraid I would be lost forever!!!
desk
Then I arrived at the airport - pretty much intact.  My suitcase was searched for contents, because I brought back my coins from the military and they made them crazy on the x-ray.  Then I got to the gate everything was OK  but a full flight and it left at 8:20 pm.  So I arrived in Virginia a little after a 11:00 pm and found out that SuperShuttle isn't so super at that time of night.  But finally at 12:10 am I was in a taxi on my way home.

But through the experience - I wasn't very nice to the lady  on the phone with SuperShuttle and I wasn't really nice to one of the SuperShuttle drivers and I wasn't very nice to the man at the desk.  I was tired, but no excuse.  I want to be a new person, a new person in Christ, but sometimes I fail.

Thank goodness it isn't my righteousness, it is the righteousness of god.

1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.…

What hope awaits Christians at the end of a life lived in service to Christ? An inheritance of eternal life, something we're entitled to not because of our own actions, but because of Christ. 

Amen - a little bit of rest and time with the Lord revealed - I cannot do this alone.  Only through faith in Christ and letting him lead my life and focus to him.

I know why God sent me here.  I have a wonderful new job and am so happy.  

Most days - I have no worries about traffic, the bus picks me up at my door and takes me home.

The last few days I have been taking the Metro home and then a bus from the Metro.  It was very convenient today.  I had an appointment at 5:00 pm.  Left work at 3:00 pm and got home by 3:30 pm and then left the house for my 5:00 pm appointment.  My appointment was fine  - made it with plenty of time.  Then I left my appointment by 6:00 pm... only to spend 2 hours in traffic.  That was 2 hours to go 4 miles.  I only wish I knew the side streets, but didn't attempt it.

I spent the time, listening to Christian Radio and talking to God.  It wasn't so bad.  I might have lost two hours of my life, but making myself upset or getting upset for hours isn't going to help me or my relationship with God.

I pray that you all will hear my words tonight.  Stop getting upset about your circumstances.  Take what comes as it comes.  You can only do what you can do.  God sometimes wants us to stay in place or traffic.  If I would have gotten out of the appointment earlier - I may have ended up in the accident which was the cause of the traffic.  If I wouldn't have taken the time to listen to music and to the message of the minister on the radio.  The radio minister spoke of being a hypocrite, that many times we think we are righteous, well righteous by who!!!   We are only righteous by Christ blood on the cross.  It is by his grace that we are saved.  Not our grace!!!   So the message made me realize my life has to be an example, but not a hypocritical righteous Christian that is better then or holier then them.  I make mistakes every day of my life, but God loves me and forgives me.

His forgiveness is available to everyone.  

Romans 4:24   
God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.


 Traffic in life is fleeting, but eternal life in God is forever.  Amen.

When God put us in a place and time - he may have us there for his purpose.  It is strange how everything seems to work out for God's purpose.  

I pray that I can serve the Lord, and I pray that God will put me in situations where I can give comfort and help to others.

1 Peter 5:2  Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, asGod wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

How do we transport ourselves to Christ.  How do we follow and become like him.  We can only follow his lead by knowing his words, the words he spoke to the apostles and others as recorded in the Bible.  

The Bible is our means to finding Christ.  The Truth, the Word as Jesus is often referred to his found in that book.  May God lead you to read the Bible and see Christ.

Today was a wonderful beautiful fall day, 70 degrees and sunny.  I took the bus to work as my car is in the shop.  I almost didn't go, but God led me or kicked out of bed at 7:00 am.  So I had my bus scheduled in hand, my iPhone with Christian music and I was on my way.  Both bus stops that I was at were very convenient and I would try taking the bus again.  It wasn't a bad ride.

So in a sense I was transported to Christ this morning, through his Word, his Music and fellowship with other Christians.

May God lead you to relationship with purpose, God's purpose in our lives.

Safe travels.

People seem to have a problem with public transportation, probably because you are riding a bus with anyone who happens upon.  The community of bus riders I have met so far have been very courteous .  They seem to watch out for each other and it has it's no little dynamics.

So having owned a car for most of my adult life and not being aware or even paying attention to bus schedules or even other being annoyed by being behind a bus that stops and goes.  I really didn't pay attention.  

So here I am transplanted into a new Land, much like Abraham, but in my case most of them speak the same language and may have same or different religious views, but still a new culture and land for me as well.  I am embracing my new life with making new references in my life - so I can communicate God's word to a new and wonderful group of people.

Christ didn't just die for me on the cross.  It isn't about me or now comfortable I am in my skin.  It is about going out and saving the lost.  So how do we do this, well you go out and live among the people and share Christ light.

God's name is like a shelter like no other, his name is the only thing that can save.  Jesus is a strong and mighty tower - just like the song, "Your Name."   

Here is the good news about public transportation, dropped my car off this morning for work to pass the state inspection.  I walked to the Huntington metro and realized they is my bus 9A.  My bus - seem I am taking ownership.  I walked fast and jumped on... and it took me right to the doorstep of my building.  God is good.  Now I have time to write my blogs and do a few chores.  

So my experience on public transportation has been nothing but good!!!   Today it was excellent.  It was there when I was tired and needed a ride.  It was just a matter of looking at the schedule and knowing there would be a bus waiting there for me.  

If we look into the bible we will find Christ - he is on almost every page.  He was there in the beginning and he'll be there in the end, that is what Alpha Omega means.    Let me give you 3 verses on the subject that comfort me.

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 

Christ said, Revelation 21:6
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

You know riding on public transportation is a wonderful thing - especially if you do not have a car or a means to park at work.

First days are always anxious and a little bit nerve racking, but today was a excellent first day.  I got up early - had breakfast and then walked to the bus stop and went right into the Pentagon and right to work. I was there by 6:30.