fourth quarter

Who Was Jacob in the Bible? Why Did He Wrestle With God?   "Jacob is a biblical hero who depicts the power and grace of God to change and renew. He is most commonly known in the Bible for his cunning and deceitful ways, especially towards his twin brother Esau. However, after losing to God in a wrestling match, Jacob received God’s blessings and a new name – Israel."    so, God loves Jacob despite his cunning and deceitful ways. maybe there's hope for me yet!

there's both good and evil in the world.  let's take the easy one first--evil.  take a look around: terrorism crime oppression hate greed deceit deprivation poverty hunger wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, famine, disease etc. there's good around too--sometimes it's just harder to find. so, what does it all mean? answer: I don't know.  here's a possibility: I believe that there's good and evil in all of us. I believe that a great cosmic war exists between good and evil--in ourselves and in the universe. I believe that there may be a "day of reckoning" when winners and losers in the war between good and evil will be determined. will God reward the good and punish the wicked? answer: I don't know. I have failed in my life in many ways. the devil doesn't get the credit or the blame for my failures. my failures are all mine. it is said that hell is a place of hate. but, I will continue to love God for all that God has given me ...

most nights I don't sleep through the night. I get up and go to the bathroom--sometimes several times. sometimes I'm too hot. sometimes I'm too cold. sometimes I wake up from a nightmare.  I go to another room, trying not to wake Jenny or our cat. I take a small flashlight and read the 23rd psalm. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days. Could God be as angry with me as I am with myself? not if I read the 23rd psalm. there are so many things that I don't understan...

people are unpredictable.  I know that I am. I never seem to know from one day to the next which me will show up. Praise God that God is predictable. God's love for us is never-ending.