Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My trip to Starbucks


Good Morning!

   Here I sit at the local Starbucks killing time as the wife gets her nails done. Such an interesting group of people sitting soundly, having overpriced coffee and talking about their problems. I couldn't find a empty table, so I had to ask the table of three ladies to join their group. I started off reading the Internet, but the loudness of all around me wouldn't let me stay focused. There is the older group of men that I see often sitting one table over talking about "how life used to be." I wish there was an extra seat at their table so I could barge in and just sit and listen. Even though I'm not that old (I'm turning  50 in a week) I have great memories of my early days. Sometimes I spend a bit too much time in my personal Twilight Zone episode sledding down the big hill behind the house.

   The ladies sitting next to me are busy talking about pregnancy issues. I do my best to seem over interested on my screen, so as not to make them feel uncomfortable. I say a silent prayer for the one who is sharing her longing for a child and the difficulties of all the tests she is undergoing.

    At another table, there is a couple looking into each other's eyes. Not sure, but I tend to believe that they are having troubles. It just sucks, for lack of a better word, to see people with pain in their hearts. I hope they walk out together with a promise of better days.

    So what does all this have to do with "Leadmetothecross111?" Well to tell you the truth, I'm not sure. When I woke up this morning, I knew God was with me. So he must be here at Starbucks too. But, if he is here beside me, then he must be here beside everyone else. He must be hearing the heartache of the woman wanting a child, the troubles of the intimate couple, and the hearts of the men wanting to fill up with the joys of the past. I can only guess he's saying "Hey, I'm standing right here! I can hear you! Ask me to sit down and I will.  Invite me into your heartaches, and I will grant you peace. If you just believe, I am here."

    How comforting to those that follow. He is with us all the time and everywhere we go. How much easier the days gone by are when we give Him our troubles and worries. As a new follower, I am finding this gift beyond my abilities to say thank you. I've yet to get past the feelings of the man who stands at the water's edge as the waves reach for the shore, who looks out to discover "truly" how small he is. How in all the bigness of things that He still looks down on me. But He looks upon all of us.

    Would it be rude to interrupt the lady next to me, the couple, and the men and tell them He is here? He's the one who can help you. I'm proof of that.. Maybe yes, maybe no. I'm not going to give it the old college try. Keeping one's mouth shut at times is Godly too. Approaching others can be a tricky deal. If it was the football game or the election, it would be easier to jump in. But "God talk," that's a different story.

    Everyone is leaving now. My coffee is getting cold. And the day ahead calls my name.

    I instead will use the powers He gave me and call on His name to Bless them all. "Lord bring hope to that woman and Bless her with a child to love. Bless the couple so that today they will feel love towards each other and see only good days ahead. Fill the older men with peace in their hearts to enjoy today like those of the past. Bless these people, so that each one will walk out the door with Your light shining upon them. But most of all, give them peace so that they know You are with them, and they will hear Your voice calling them to Your heart.

   "Yes, you can sit here I'm just finishing up," I said to some patrons looking for a table. They thanked me. "You're welcome," I said, "Have a Blessed day." They looked at me kinda funny. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't say anything to the others after all!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Note to Self: Keep Reading

  It's been some time since I have been able to post about my Biblical journey. I have a book problem. You see I'm the type of guy that loves books. I can't walk into a book store, or Costco with out buying something new. I am now reading six Different Bibles, including a children's picture version. I'm using the picture book as a way help visualize the stories. Throw in one or two companion books for reference material and now I'm looking for a bigger study area. I also purchased the starter package from Logos Bible study software, to as they say "seal the deal." I've halted my reading at Genesis 35. Spending the last two weeks reading all the other materials and Bibles to catch up. I want to be in alignment with all the books so I can learn something from one that I might have missed in another.

 Here's my reading list:
  • The Illustrated Bible Story by Story
  • Sparkling Gems from the Greeks. 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day of the Year To Sharpen Your Understanding of God's Word  by Rick Renner
  • The Message Bible
  •  YouVersion Bible App for phone
  • New King James Version reference Bible 1974
  • New Living Translation Bible
  •  Zondervan Handbook of the Bible
  • Joseph by Charles Swindoll
  •  The NIV Daily Bible
  • 1001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Bible   by J. Stephen Lange
  • The NLT Chronological Bible.
  •  The Jesus of the Bible   by Stephen M. Miller
  •  The Portable seminary   by David Horton
  •  Adventuring Through the Bible   by Ray C. Stedman
  • Logos Bible Software Starter version
Help!

Books completed :

  • In the Footsteps of Jesus   by National Geographic
  • The Circle Maker   by Mark Batterson
  •  The Power of Kindness   by Piero Ferrucci
  •  The Prophetic Blessing   by John Hagee
  •  Not a Fan   by Kyle Idleman
  •  The Greatest Story Ever Told   by Fulton Oursler
  •  The Book of Job   by Stephen Mitchell
  • God the Evidence   by Patrick Glynn
  • Desiring God   by John Piper
  • The story of Joseph and the Family of Jacob   by Ronald S. Wallace
  • How to Study the Bible Illustrated   by Robert M. West