GOODBYE IS A HARD WORD TO SAY

I'm going to have to say goodbye for a while as we are moving.  Three of our four children live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and we are heading back home.

The movers come the first part of July to pack and then load, but I am getting a head start on the packing.  (Movers are really expensive!)  We close on the house here in AZ on July 9, and with our eldest daughter, Peg, we will head out right from there for the Northland.

We must also make a quick trip to Ohio before all this as a beautiful granddaughter, Bayley, is getting married to a handsome and very special young man, Evan. We will rush right back to AZ to be here in time for the closing. 

So everything has to be done before we leave for Ohio.  Packing for Ohio means also packing for our car trip home.  And before packing for Ohio, we have to be packed for the movers coming. (And are also sending by mail some summer clothes to carry us until we have a home and our clothes are delivered by the moving van.) Everything will be gone, except what we will put in the car.  Movers will keep in storage what we have left from sales, etc. for placement in a house when we get one.

From the get-go this has been a time to trust  in God and each other. I have no doubts that we will have a fine trip, see a gorgeous wedding outside in a green field of Ohio, have a couple of decent flights, and head into MN with our heads up and our eyes clear, praising God every turn of the wheel, and every home that we look at.

This is why I will not be blogging for a while.  Just toooooooooo busy!  but I'll be wondering about you, wondering who you are, what you look like, what your primary concern is for today..and the tomorrows that will come.

Until we get our computer connected again, I imagine it will be some time.  So, I'll say...goodbye!

God willing, I'll be back and next time I'm going to call myself...MinnesotaJo.

Until then, God be with you!  He is, you know.  Jo

PAUL AND HIS COUSIN, MANY TIMES REMOVED

Eph. 3:8-10 reads, "And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ." Of course, this relates to the Apostle Paul, but it also relates to me and the countless others who speak or write of Jesus. I am in the best of company, and grateful for it.

Just one page in my Bible, THE MESSAGE, page 2126, is filled with dates, telling me that I have written in my journal on those dates about the passages dated. Imagine! Just one page of Paul's writing, but miles and miles of wisdom shared with me and millions of others over the years.

My simple blog is a poor imitation of all the writing already done in the Word of God, that early writing which tells all  God wishes us to know concerning Jesus and His extraordinary wisdom and hours.  I write because I stumble with the spoken word.  I save my smile, my arms, legs, and my voice to personal visits when called upon.

I am amazed that God's wisdom and love is available to me.  I am amazed that God allows me to believe in Him so strongly that I am compelled to write, to give back in some way the wisdom and love God gives to me. Therefore, I blog.

My blog is the best that I can do.  I send it out with a prayer that a hungry one will find his or her spiritual "meal" complete in the words of Scripture and my simple explanation of them. I welcome them to the company of believers.  So, goes God in His work.

Mystifying, isn't it?  God plants and teaches.  Then, God uses and completes His use.  And we obey in thanksgiving.  A better job could not possibly be needed or wanted.  So, read up and be ready, guided by God, inspired by His Spirit, we sit together at the computer and  pour out our souls!  Did He not say He was with us?  Yes, He is indeed.

Thanks be to God!  AMEN

As Always, Cousin Jo

DOESN'T THIS BEAT ALL!

Yesterday, I journaled Ephesians 1:7 and 8, "Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah Jesus, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people--free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.  And not just barely free, either...Abundantly free."

How perfectly phrased!  Give thanks to Paul. How perfectly planned!  Give thanks to the Lord God.  How perfectly accomplished!  Give thanks to the Lord Jesus.

Yes, Paul's phrases totally and completely explain what Jesus has done for us.   And planned by our own Sovereign Lord.  Yet, the true Hero is our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, who willingly gave His Life that we might be redeemed of our sins.  He died for us, you and me! He died that we might live and not only live, but Live in Him and He in us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Nothing, not anything anywhere, has been given to anyone that is as great and significant as this.  Nothing in this world has ever been achieved to equal this incredible act, this unselfish, pre-destined act which fulfilled the world's most necessary loving sacrifice.  Nothing anywhere has occurred that is as fine and good as this.

THIS BEATS ALL!

Lord Jesus, You are the greatest hero of the entire world, of the entire universe, and the adjoining Heavens beyond what is known.  Thanks Be To God!  Amen.

I love my hero.  Jo