Ouch!

My house is old and outdated. Lately, I've been thinking of getting it ready to sell. I'd like a lot newer house with a lot more room.

I've also got an old truck that I sometimes wonder how much longer it will run. It's a third vehicle, and as it's just my wife and me, it probably doesn't matter about the truck. But I'd really like to have a better one.

My son and his wife recently bought a new flat panel television. Now that's really nice! Maybe I can get one of those.

Since Vista has come out I've been thinking about a new laptop computer. The one I'm currently using is about three years old. From what I've read about Vista, I'm not a big fan, but I figure I'm going to have to make the move, so I've started looking at new computers.

Then I open my Bible. I try to read my Bible through each year. In fact, I try to do it in about a third of the year. So, yesterday I was reading through Psalms and came to Psalm 119:36. It hit me hard. Here's what it says: Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. Psalm 119:36 (HCSB)

Ouch! I began to think about the things I wanted. I was involved in thinking about how I might prioritize my list and get the things I wanted. Then I came to this verse and realized that I needed to turn my eyes away from the material things and focus my heart on the Lord and His decrees.

Living in America, it seems to me that most of America seems to be about material wealth. If you don't have it, you want it. If you have it, you want more of it. Even among those who are believers, I wonder if we are more concerned about our material wealth than we are about turning our heart to the decrees of God?

Why I Can Trust God

Sometimes you follow a course of action without really thinking about it. For instance, I've trusted God most of my life. I believe he knows my life and knows what is best for me. If I faithfully live for him I can trust him to bless me.

I can't say I've given it a lot of thought as to why I trust him, though. This past week I was reading in the book of Job. It's an interesting book that raises a lot of questions. Near the top of my list is why God allowed Satan to inflict such suffering on Job. But I think the real question that comes from reading Job is, Can I trust a God who would allow this to happen to someone?

While pondering that I read Job 34:10 and came to the conclusion that God can do no wrong. If he did wrong or acted unjustly, he wouldn't be God. I mean, if he did wrong or acted unjustly he wouldn't be perfect and I don't want a god who isn't perfect.

So when God allowed Satan to inflict pain and suffering on Job did he act justly? Though I can't explain it, I think so. The closest I can come to understanding this is to look for an example I can understand.

A child often thinks their parent acts wrongly or unjustly. The real issue is that the child sees only from his or her perspective. Mom or Dad is acting justly, but the thinking of a child just doesn't see that.

My spiritual immaturity may make me question God's actions, but he's still God. So, despite sometimes not understanding why God does what he does or allows things to happen, I'm going to continue to trust him.

My First Post

This is my first post. I thought I would give this a try. I currently have my own website, and I don't know if I will be disciplined enough to do this. I guess time will tell.



Primarily, I created this site to record my thoughts, musings, and anything else I might want to share with others.