THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY TRIP - PART IV

 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 - WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY TRIP - PART IV

This week I’ve been writing about what I learned (or relearned) from my trip to the Phoenix area over Thanksgiving.  (Warning - religious)

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First I learned that I needed God.  Yes, there were a few times along this trip that I met up with God.  One of the first was on the first day of the trip (Monday, November 22, 2021) where I visited the Guadalupe Mountains, National Park.  I got high knowing (on God). I was at the high point of Texas (no, I didn’t hike/climb to the top - but I was close and I WILL get to the top in the next few years!!!)  For several miles after leaving the park, I was singing and praising God in my car.  

Second, I relearned not to go negative.  “I feel like crap” should have been replaced with “I don’t feel good now, but tomorrow I will be better!!!”  I “NEED” to be positive, I “NEED” to be a Pollyanna!!!

Third, I am frugal (aka “Cheap”) - and that isn’t a good viewpoint for me!!

Fourth, I have been trying to “hedge my bets”.

Today matches up with yesterday;’s thoughts.

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I have been “hedging my bets” especially with money.  Yes, I believe that God WILL meet my needs (Philippians 4:19) - except - well - I need to help Him out.  So I took my little part-time job at the senior living center - “just a little spending money - you know - rent is higher, other things are higher.  

Am I a “CINO - Christian in Name Only”?  Am I enjoying the social aspects (in the United States) of Christianity.  Would I be an active believing Christian in (say) Saudi Arabia?  

And, conversely, an active, believing Muslim in the United States - can they live their faith in a culture that seems to be negative to Islam.

I think (assume?) that all basic religions say “Our Way is the Right Way”.  Does Buddhism suggest that by meditation you can block out the world and find Nirvana?  Muslims say “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Prophet”.  Jews and Christians have “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength”.  

A lot of people are searching for God.  Am I being presumptive to say “I’ve found God” (and really haven’t studied other religions in depth).  There is an expression “My mind is made up, don’t try to change me with the truth”!!!  [Aside - that also seems to apply to politics - some people’s minds are made up - so don’t try to convince me that the other viewpoint has value!!!]

Or (ouch), if a person who has professed to be a Christian all his life, but was a “CINO” - Christian in Name Only - and cheated on his employees, his wife, his job, etc. but supposedly died as a Christian, and God could still “snap” his fingers for a judgment.  (The adage “If going to Church makes you a Christian, then going to a barn makes you a cow” (or horse).

I can’t judge - I refuse to judge whether somebody is going to heaven or hell.  

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Back to my theme - If Jesus is God (Christians say the “Second Person of the Trinity”) - then shouldn’t I be following him?  Shouldn’t I be giving my allegiance to Him?  Shouldn’t I be living as He would want me to live?  

Have I adopted a “satisfying” approach - I’m satisfied with where I am at.  

Friends, I have never “buttonholed” anybody - grabbed them by the shirt and in their face “Do you know Jesus?”  Who am I to say that my way is the right way for EVERYBODY.  

But, like Joshua “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).  For me - this one person - Karen White, in December 2021 - I will serve the Lord in the Judeo-Christian perspective.

Of, can I keep “hedging my bets” - and give Him 75% and not 100%?

(Okay, yes, this is Karen’s struggle)

BUT, Love Wins!!!

Karen

(Yep - on the road to something)