Journey into Forever

"Why are you frightened?" He asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt?" Luke 24:38 (NLT) We're getting close to the end of Max Lucado's book "Fearless". Just 3 chapters left, and today's chapter is a tough on for me. Every time I face this situation in my walk with Christ, I am riddled with guilt. I guess it is part of being human, because I suspect every single one of us has issues with this. And I also bet that every Christ follower who does experience this is as riddled with guilt as I am. I am talking about doubt. Doubt about the reality of the gospel. A nagging uncertainty about the "fantastic" (meaning supernatural) events depicted regarding not only Christ's life but many events and people we read about in the Bible. You don't have to answer in front of anyone, that's the beauty of being able to study alone in our room with the computer. But I'd like you to honestly answer this

To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Eccl 3:1-8 (KJV) I can't say I dislike change. As a matter of fact I usually like it. I think that stems from moving constantly my first 10 years. I never started school in the same place twice, and sometimes I was in two schools during a year.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me....I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (NLT) -John 14:1,3 Wow. Max Lucado named his chapter "Scared to Death" and I just couldn't think of a better one for this post. The chapter's subject in "Fearless" is one that is easy to lie about. I have lied about it. I imagine you have too. This is one of those things Christians lie about to appear more devout....to appear to trust the Word...more than we sometimes do. The fear of death. A Christian isn't supposed to fear death, are we? We're supposed to look forward to it, so if we ever have any fear about it, we keep it quiet. We don't want to appear untrusting...like we don't believe what the Word says. So we say all the right things:"I don't fear death at all." "I welcome death". "I can't

"Do not fear, litle flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." - Luke 12:32 Today's chapter in "Fearless" is a very tough one for me. Although I am making progress, I still have a lot to learn about money. Like how to live within my means. Never have done that very well, consequently the fear of running out of money is always hovering around me. The chapter is titled "Make-Believe Money - Fear of the Coming Winter". When someone lives as I have, paycheck to paycheck, the fear of having no money is kind of always there.....on the back burner......ready to pop up at any time. If the Dow plummets, if gas goes up, if there is ANOTHER rise in health insurance premiums........all of these can ignite the flames of worry over 'going under'. When you live this close to the edge, one miscalculation, one extra sick day, one broken appliance can send you into a tailspin. It's no way to live. Apparently

"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." Matthew 10:28 I love a good mystery. Not necessarily a mystery about a robbery or other mild mannered subject. Nope. I love a good murder mystery. I know I probably shouldn't, but I do. When Investigation Discovery pans under the screen, "Are you an ID addict?" I answer yes. Now I don't like the ones involving really nasty stuff, just a mundane 'who done it'. No kids or anything like that. Just a 'I killed my husband because he forgot to make the bed' kind of thing. Intrigue and suspence. Really like it. When crime gets personal however, it's a different matter. I have a response like anybody does....why? Why my friend? Why now? Why so brutal? I guess when I watch it or read it and it didn't happen to someone close to me, it's a different story. I forget that every violent act happens to somebody's daughter, wife, or friend. Our