Take the Leap!

Greetings,

Our country is so great that a lot of folks want to live here.  Some arrive legally, some don't, and some even risk death to get to our shores.  Most are looking for what my family wanted when we arrived in 1966: The opportunity for a better life!

The older I get the more I appreciate the guts it took for my family to leave their native land and start over in a foreign country.  My grandfather was 52 when he arrived here, and now that I am that age I wonder how I could handle leaving the U.S. and all my extended family and friends and starting over with Jorge, my kids, and grandkids in another non-English speaking country with no money, no house, and no job.  I would like to think that if it meant we were going to a place with the promise of a better and brighter future I would take the leap!

Heaven is the ultimate promise of the best and brightest future, and God wants us to take the leap and establish our citizenship with His kingdom. 

"Mount Zion is the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to thousands of thousands of angels in festive gathering, and to Christian citizens.  You are joining the righteous ones who have been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, and it is your final glory..." (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Living with God, Jesus, the angels, and perfectly perfect citizens? I want this to be my final glory and my final home. 

How? It's almost like when I became a citizen in 1979.  I filled out a bunch of paperwork and pledged an oath of allegiance to the United States.  Citizenship in heaven is easier.  We simply pray. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We take a leap of faith today and open our hearts to You to welcome You into our lives.  We realize that we are profoundly blessed to live in the United States, but our ultimate and glorious destination is with You.  We look forward to the wonder of heaven.  Thank You that we have so much to look forward to .  In the meanwhile, bless us on earth.  Protect us and give us Your peace and provision.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Jesus Has a Prescription!

Greetings,

I have officially been diagnosed with EFS - Election Fatigue Syndrome - and maybe you have too!  The good news is that Jesus has a prescription for us:

"The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.  This is the way our Savior God wants us to live" (The MESSAGE Version).

Prayer is always the number one answer.  Pray for ourselves, others, and our leaders, especially our leaders.  And when we pray, we must keep in mind that every single person alive, regardless of political affiliation, is capable of being blessed - of receiving God's wisdom, guidance, and protection.  

What a joy and privilege we have been given to draw closely to our Lord and have a heartfelt, intimate conversation with Him where we freely share all our hopes, dreams, and worries.  

Today, especially, my beautiful country is on my heart, and I find comfort in praying for her knowing that God even expects me to. I ask God to secure her and  preserve all her citizens in safety and peace.  I ask God that her government would be wise and faithful. And I ask God that her military would stay brave no matter what. 

God bless America, and God bless you!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, The way You want us to live is close to You in constant prayer; it's an ongoing, daily conversation where we pour out our hearts to You and You respond.  You send comfort, joy, hope, and peace.  We cling to You and are grateful that You remain on Your throne as the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth NO MATTER WHAT! In Jesus' name, AMEN.