Almost 68

Tomorrow I will be 68 years old. Not many years to me but many to others. In fact the older I get the older old becomes. My life has been a gift from God. My talents whatever they are have been given to me.

O Lord you created all; You have been with me always; You knew me even before I was born. You are there to guide me but only if I listen, guide but never force. You have always given me the ability to choose; my free will. Hopefully, I have used this ability well.

I pray Lord that You strengthen Your Spirit in me,
Show me the path that You want me to follow.
In all things I accept Your will my Lord.

Joy

I look out on my back yard and see God in all His majesty - the glory of His creation. Birds, flowers, butterflies, grass speak of His wonders. Flowers give beauty to the eye and nectar to the butterflies and humming birds; a grape vine that gives shade and coolness plus the harvest of it fruit. What joy is life!

Your will be done oh Lord,
I stand before you in prayer,
Respecting your power and might,
You who knew me before I was born,
Grant my petitions on behalf of my friends and family,
But, in all things I accept You will.

We are all called to take up our cross and follow Jesus; to give our lives to Him, to follow Him. Jesus the Christ came into this world to offer each of us salvation. He did this by carrying and dying on His cross. While nailed to His cross of wood; He did not condemn His executioners, He forgave them.
"When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." "[Luke 23:33-34]

We who are called to follow Him can do no less if we are to be forgiven we must forgive.

Peace

Peace, I pray for peace in this world. How much could we do together as brothers and sisters? Maybe, I should pray for the end of hatred and greed for without hatred and greed the world would be better. As I prayed for peace I realized that the only true peace is in accepting God’s will and love.

I watch humming birds come to the feeder in my garden; I have seen at least four but they spend more time chasing each other away than they do feeding. These birds remind me of humans too busy fighting and killing to see if they shared with each other there would be no want.

My faith in God gives me peace, a peace I have never known before. I have accepted God’s will and say, “Let it be done.” Everything I have I owe to God, therefore everything I have belongs to God and I should use the gifts He has given me to serve.

I cry out oh Lord,
Hear my prayer,
Show me the way,
What must I do to serve You?

Strengthen me my God,
Send your Spirit to guide me,
I hear you call,
“Come follow me.”

Ideas

Who is Jesus? Why did He come to us? If we say He is the Son of God, the Christ and we believe that He came to redeem us then how do we accept the redemption? Do we accept it with joy, hope and love or do we just accept it? Do we respond to His teaching of love by accepting His love but not applying love to all others? How do we accept God’s gift of love and forgiveness if we do not extend forgiveness and love to all? We live in a world that cries out for revenge, we cloak this call for revenge with terms like justice, protection, strength; but it is still revenge we seek. Punish the people who attack us is our cry, bomb them back into the Stone Age. However, if we are to call ourselves a God fearing society, a Christian society, one nation under God, then should we not listen to His words, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Mat 5:44) “Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.” (Mat 5:39) What would happen if we blessed those who curse us, return kindness for injury, and extend love and true care to all others? Would not the lion then truly lie down with the lamb?