So Sarah and I had been doing fairly well at getting up four or five times a week…for two weeks running…and doing exercise.  And then it dropped to nil.  Part of that can be helped by going to bed earlier (which I’m not helping now by staying up to type this, but…) is just pure ol’ motivation.

…and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.  If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” — 1 Chronicles 28:9

So if something as serious as serving Him is supposed to be done with wholehearted devotion — because I want to do it, not because I have to do it – wouldn’t something that I have to do for personal health be much easier if I applied my energy to it?  While it may be a leap for some, this is something that is (now) a no-brainer for me.  Not that it will make the first days any easier, but having a purpose and reasoning always helps.

And besides, those days that I do sleep in will now be all that more special!

 The last year and a half has brought quite a few blessings — a new daughter, a continued healthy family, better personal health, and a promotion, to name a few — and I haven’t exactly done anything to thank Him for it in a meaningful, lasting way.

So the word that came to mind to research was thought.  I thought this fitting as I feel I’m starting to actually do this again.  Thought, according to Dictionary.com, has some of the following (interesting) meanings:

1. mental activity
2. a consideration or reflection
3. intention, design, or purpose

These are interesting because if I haven’t been thinking for the past year (or more — and I truly don’t think that I have), then not only have I not reflected on happenings in my life, but I have also had no mental activity, no purpose.  This troubles me, to say the least!

The Bible, in Proverbs 14:15, says, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.“  In Chapter 21, Verse 29 of the same book, “A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.“  So by not thinking, not only am I a simple person who doesn’t work towards following Him, I’m setting myself up for wickedness.  Not the path I’m choosing, m’friends.

1 Corinthians 13:11 reads “When I was a child, I talked like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.“  So, yet again, it is time for me to grow up and think.

No matter the turnout, no matter good nor bad…I need to treat follow through the same as if I promised…the same as if I gave my word.

When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. — Numbers 30:2

So, to become the person that I am, should be, and used to be (is that confusing yet?)…another step is follow through. One of many, but important.

ad astra per aspera
(A rough road leads to the stars)
from the Apollo 1 Memorial

 

It may be the end of the day on September 11, but I thought it only fitting that my devotion today be the word remembrance.

In my 28 years, I have been around for a few major events in the United States and the world. The Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents…countless bombings…Desert Shield/Storm…September 11, 2001…the Iraq War. And those are just the ones I can think of at this time of day.

I thank my God every time I remember you. — Philippians 1:3

The rest of the passage goes on to explain Paul’s thanksgiving about the Philippians’ response to the gospel. But today, as with most occasions that bring up memories of the tragic events of the past…I thank God for everything I’ve experienced through Him — and the people, Christian and otherwise, who He has let me meet…who He has allowed me to befriend.

I found out a while after the World Trade Center destruction about the death of my friend, Alok Mehta. I had not talked to Alok in a little over five years, since we graduated high school together…but seeing his name on the list of those who perished made it real. I have a pretty weird gift of empathy when it comes to reactions to events like this, but this was different. “It made it more real,” as people say.

So…my way of remembering is in my actions. It’s in the good memories that I hold. And in the pictures I save. So…in remembrance, here are a few photos from the space program disasters (some from my lifetime, some not), as well as some from the 9/11 attacks. All photos are courtesy of NASA except for the final one.

 

God knows this…and that’s why He shines through Josiah. It seems that everytime I look at Josiah, and see that life which has been provided to Sarah and I, God also says “Remember me?”

So I decided today to study two topics — the word devotion, and time.

I know the basics of the word devotion. It is either that dedication that you give to something or someone, or also, for the religious, can be the time and energy you give towards the Lord, whether it be studying his Word or doing His work. But I wanted to know more…and found a verse in Jeremiah.

…I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. — Jeremiah 2:2

And just to show that devotion cannot be incomplete, or lacking in effort, there is a verse in 2nd Corinthians.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. — 2 Corinthians 11:3

I must give, in both effort and energy, my full devotion to Him. That means not just praying to Him daily and attending church, but also studying His Word daily. I know that there will be times where this will be difficult, but that’s what devotion means — to make time.

But that then got me thinking about time…and I could find no better passage than one in Ecclesiastes.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to week and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. — Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything…which means sometimes putting something aside that we want to do, and doing something we need to do. Whether it is sleep, games, “downtime,” or whatever — we must have time to study His word. Is this not the least that I can do to thank Him for eternal life with Him? Is this not the least that I can do to thank Him for His forgiveness? Is this not the least that I can do for my Creator?

So…this is, hopefully, a new beginning.

The places I go, whether it is to camp in the summer, or even going to work…are wanderings. J.R.R. Tolkein wrote the quote that is the title of this post (and the only bumper sticker currently on my car). Sometimes I just have a “feeling” where I’m supposed to go. I may not know the details, but the general direction is clear.

That is where I am in my life. I am at the crossroads where the comfortable…the known path is choice #1. I’ve often taken that road because it looked safer. The path was lit while the unknown, the path, the second choice, didn’t appear to be lit. I couldn’t see where it led.

But the second path seems to have been improved. There are lights along the path. I can see the general direction that it leads. It still looks scary, and I don’t know the exact location it ends up, but it looks…right.

This Wanderer is moving. I think that’s the choice that God has pointed me towards. I don’t think that path would be “improved” if it wasn’t. I don’t know what long term goals it holds, but I believe with all my heart that North is where I’m supposed to go. I often listen to a song by Caedmon’s Call called “Somewhere North.” It’s one of those songs where the harmony comes easily to me, and I feel His presence whenever I sing along with the song using that harmony. “Wow” is the only word that comes to mind right now when I feel that.

That’s all I have to say for now. I’ll post here for all three readers that I know that read this when I know more details on timing, but until then, take care.

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password: