Joy in the Journeys

       Have you ever looked back on the past to consider something you did or said, and couldn't believe it?  But yet, there it was, in black and white.  Sometimes I do that with my writing. Today I came across something I wrote about two years ago. Funny, how I still seem to struggle with the same areas in my life.  My foolishness, my frame of mind, my arrogance, my temporary loss of passion for the things Jesus has called me to do.  Here are the words I wrote then....perhaps you are feeling somewhat the same as me?     " When my hands, soul and heart are tired of trusting those who let me down, Jesus I give You everything. When I see what a hypocrite I am, how lost I feel, and I fail to go in the direction You have called me to, please bring me down to where I need to be...at Your feet.   Take all my passion for temporal things and all my lies about who I think I am because I never knew what freedom was until you rescued...

      For me,  finances have been tight, as I am sure they are with you.  This a difficult and trying time we are in. I found about a year ago that I had to take on a job after not working for five years since my retirement.  I was hoping to be able to quit this job early this year, but I have not been able to.  Ugh. I have been unable to give as much as I had been.  This is breaking my heart as giving is what I love to do.  I have been disappointed in myself and have felt that the Lord is disappointed with me, also.  Just at the right time, my pastor spoke on  2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 which says that each one must give as he has decided in his heart to give.  Well,  initially this confirmed my guilty feelings.  But, wait!! He went on to say that these verses are not about money.  The word heart here means understanding grace.  The Lord doesn't care about how much money I make....He cares about my heart an...