I’m diverging from the study on suffering because of the errands I ran today. We had a great teaching on blessings from Eph 1:3 from Pastor Jeff. Then a generous lunch to celebrate the Fourth with my ~300 friends. It is easy to get off track and shift from the domain of Jesus-thought to the world. I’m attempting some sewing projects and felt inspired to watch a sewing show. One upcoming designer said, “Fashion is all about love”. Another said, “Fashion is like my children – it gives me life”. The second is better than the first but an inaccurate view of love and life. A piece of cloth can make you happy but that is not love. I would never compare anything to my children less than that they are a gift from God and the greatest blessing of my life. As I drove away from the luncheon, with a piece of chocolate cake on the floor of my car, I thanked God for friends and celebration. I thanked Him for a car to get where I need to go. I thanked him for other things but stopped at a dollar store just to purchase sympathy cards. Too many losses and I’m praying desperately for a young man with cancer. We were encouraged at study today to pray for young leaders going to camp next week. I don’t know Trent or Calvin but they will be housed with 10th grade boys. It sounds challenging but I loved being a student at camp then, later, a leader. They need wisdom so I will pray for God’s provision and that they also have a blast. Those memories are so precious. After the sympathy cards I dropped another bag of nice stuff I’m not using at value village. This morning I looked in my closet for something red, white, and blue. My bed was covered. I’m ashamed but those pieces of cloth make me happy. I don’t love clothes but I like them. Next, I washed my car and skipped the Costco gas line because of the many shoppers prepping for the festivities. I love this country because we are a stronghold against losing our freedoms, especially, freedom of religion. This morning, during worship, Michael had many songs that mentioned freedoms. Lastly, what is a direct lender advantage? Before I pulled into my garage there was a commercial on the radio concerning home purchases or refi’s. I was in the real estate business for many years and learned that the cost of money is the cost of money. There are ways to adjust closing costs and interest rates but there is also the benefit of using a broker to shop for the best fit for you. Everyone wants and deserves choices but cutting the middle man out might just mean paying fewer people but maybe not paying less. I’m just being fussy about this so do your own homework if you are in the market. It wraps up my morning and afternoon to thank God for the direct advantage of going to Him first in the name of Jesus. He taught us, “Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen”. I don’t have to go through a pastor, Pope, or priest. Today we worshipped in freedom. I got from point A to point B. I prayed for people I don’t know. I wore clothes that were happy. I have a family and a home. We have disease and sin but every advantage today to share the good news IN freedom.
