70 x 7

Numbers go into infinity. This concept I recently tried to explain to our six year old grandson. I'm not sure if I got my point across, after all he was only six. Some concepts can only be understood with age, and education.

Life tosses us a great amount of obstacles, both seen and unseen. Some we clear with flying colors, and others we fall face forward into. The falling face forward into are the one's that get us into trouble. The falling face forward into one's are what we can call sin. These obstacles are everywhere, both seen and unseen. These obstacles get in the way of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

As long as I'm breathing, you can bet there's a good probability I'm struggling with obstacles, sin. They jump into the path of my journey called 'life'. No matter what I do, or where I go, they are there. The one's I fall face forward into cause my relationship with Jesus to take a hit. I can ask forgiveness, and draw nearer to him. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9  He has promised to forgive me.

So how many times can I sin? Oh, the possibilities are unlimited. How many times can I be forgiven? Oh, the promise goes into infinity. The number is unlimited. As many times as I sin, forgiveness is offered. With age and education, I'm understanding more and more the magnitude of this number. Forgiveness is mine no matter how many times I fall face forward over, or into, an obstacle.

We are told to offer the same forgiveness to others. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.  Matthew 18:21-22

Whoa, hold on there. Now that's a different story. We want Jesus to forgive us. We want the relationship with him restored. We want his unlimited forgiveness. Why is it such a struggle to give to others the very gift that has been offered to us? Why do we hold on to it?

Let's try to do this dance a little different. Let's see where it takes us. It could be a little scary. Surely if Jesus tells us to, it must be the best thing for us. 

Pictures taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, north of Gatlinburg, TN.

Jamming

On a six hour drive, what can a person to do? Radio, audio book, quiet, window up, window down, cd, snack, or maybe even chew gum. Passing time, and passing miles is the goal. A good selection for myself when I want to release some stress is to roll the windows down and jam it out with the radio. 

Sirius XM radio was free, for the first year after I purchased my truck, then it was an annal fee. A year of wetting my appetite with uninterrupted music, I couldn't help but renew my subscription and pay for the service. There are a few stations pre-programmed on the radio in my truck. One of my most frequented stations is 'The Message'. It plays contemporary christian songs of praise and worship.

On a six hour drive back from my daughters, I was driving thru Harrison, AR. I was a little over the half way point in the trip. I was feeling a little groggy. It was a warm day in the mid 90's. The air conditioner in the truck was having a difficult time keeping it cool, with the heat and humidity. My black truck was certainly absorbing every ounce of heat from the sun, and the hot asphalt. It was north of Harrison where I rolled my windows down, hoping it would help my grogginess. Even though it was hot outside, the air blowing thru the truck was a welcome relief. Fresh air and sunshine filled the truck. With all four windows down traveling about 60-65 mph, it was refreshing.

Coming into Harrison the speed limit decreased, so I slowed the truck down. The radio had been blaring.  I decided to turn it down with the slower speed, so not to disturb other drivers.  A song came on the XM Radio that moved me. A song by Laura Dangle, called 'Trust In You', flowed thru the speakers. It was the truth of the song that made me want to share it. Putting my finger on the control button, I pumped the volume up to maximum. I was jamming! As I drove thru town, I continued jamming with the radio. As an introvert, it's not always easy to speak up in a one on one encounter. I found the song blaring thru my speakers an opportunity to share. I hope the Bose speakers penetrated the walls and windows of every car passed that day. 

Isn't it best to be jamming with Jesus? Roll your windows down, let your hair fly, and go jamming. 

Lyrics

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

Written by Lauren Daigle, Michael Farren, Paul Mabury • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

I want one of those baskets

A friend of mine from Ghana, Africa gave me a basket made by one of the local artisans in the country. It's a beautiful basket made of four colors of grass. Three of the colors are dyed grasses of purple, green, and red, and the fourth color is made of a natural color dried grass. The four colors of grass are woven together and the end result is a sturdy basket. He brought many baskets to the house, and gave me an opportunity to choose one. The basket I chose was unlike any I'd seen before. Most baskets my husband brings home from Ghana have handles. Instead of handles, this basket has woven hand grips (if that is the correct way to say it). I liked the uniqueness of the basket, so it was the one chosen. The baskets from Ghana are considered a treasure to me. The time, effort and craftsmanship used to make each of the baskets is appreciated each time I look at one. 

On my iPhone there is an app called 'You Version'. It's a bible app. It has many versions of the Holy Bible available to read, or listen too. It is a powerful tool for studying, reading, listening, and learning God's Word. My mind tends to wander a little when I sit and read. Distractions fly thru my mind, and before I know it a subject I did not intend on thinking about has overridden the words my eyes are scanning on the page. Frustration sets in and I attempt again to focus on the words I see. Over and over, my mind jumps  track and runs off into a different direction. The audio Bible available on 'You Version' has become a good friend of mine. I've found it easier to stay tuned into what is being read audibly, than what I read visually. More focus means more listening, and learning, and applying. 

I've heard sermons from these passages of scripture; 'Jesus answered, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Philip said, "Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:6-9a. I want to know God more. I understand from these verses, if I want to know God more, learning about Jesus will give me knowledge about God. 

The old testament is wonderful to listen to on the 'You Version' app. I find the language soothing. Being reminded recently that if I want to know God more I need to study Jesus, I began listening to the four gospels in the New Testament. I want to know God more. Listening one Sunday morning as I got ready for church, Matthew was the book playing. It was in chapter 14, and a story I've heard all my life began to play. You've probably heard it too. The one about Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. It was a miracle. Only God can do a miracle. The end of the story was a miracle within itself. Not only did God feed 5,000 people, but he also had 12 basketfuls of leftovers. My Mammaw Smith would be ecstatic to have so many leftovers. It would be enough to feed her family for a week, or maybe two, depending upon the size of the basket. 

As I listened to the end of the story, and heard for the umpteenth time about the 12 basketfuls, the mention of the baskets caught my attention. What happened to the baskets? For several years my mom and I had spent time dealing, and selling, various items in flea market booths. We had bought out an antique store, bought items at auctions, and bought items at garage sales. Most items we bought were priced way below what their value was. We were able to sell the items in our flea market booth, and make a profit. It wasn't a big money maker, but it was a big memory maker. Many items made their way into our own collections. We saw various types of antiques. A lot of good memories were made, and we developed a greater appreciation for good antiques. 

Back to the miracle of the 12 basketfuls for leftovers. I wonder what happened to the 12 baskets? Where could they be? Could they be in someone's basket collection? Could they be in someone's attic collecting dust, and cob webs? What were they made of? Could they survive this many centuries?Have they been sold at an auction? Could they be sitting in a flea market somewhere? Are they at someone's home, and the person not know what they have? Wouldn't it be great to discover one of these baskets? You know, I would love to have one of those baskets. A basket used for leftovers. A basket that held a miracle.