The technology upgrades did not go as expected and the blog site was unavailable from Monday until yesterday afternoon. Quite a large unexpected outage to say the least. However, things are working now and the technology upgrades will continue this week, with a much smaller impact on the availability.

Anyway here’s something to remember while you attempt to repair the damage to your live that was done without reading this blog over the few days.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18 KJV

Yesterday I was able to spend a few minutes talking with the middle school kids about being a light in the darkness.  We spoke a lot of about jars of clays and about how we are light as a response to the coming of the Christ, not in order to gain anything.  We finished up with this verse and this little grab from Pinterest.  The young ladies appreciate that.

⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   2 Corinthians 12: (KJV)

I didn’t post yesterday as I have started a small process of updating my blog’s technology and I had expected some downtime with the blog yesterday. Turns out it didn’t happen! Anyway, I am getting out the Bedazzler and making some changes to the blog over the next couple months. Most of them will just mean a better experience for you!   I mean, after you experience these upgrades, you will probably want to pen something attuned to this:

The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. Rev 21:18-21

Yeah, not really.  But, boy, that sure does sound like a great place to end up. It’s nice to carry that hope around with you and to stop and think sometimes what this life upgrade will be really like!

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Rev 22:1-5

No matter what you do today, remember that not one moment of it moves you closer to the Glory of the creator.

Depressing.. Well not really.!!

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4-5, 8‬ NIV)

As Andy Stanley says “Our To Do’s are because of His To Dones”. (or something like that).

Sorry guys, I took some time away from the keyboard to sort out some thoughts in my mind, as well as to try to get my schedule back under control.  My writing time has been significantly reduced over the last few months.  Anyway, here is something to start your Monday, something that I am spending sometime with today

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7(NASB)