He cares

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you. 1P 5:7.

With all the busy-ness, distractions, work, schedules, activities, sports, get togethers and more, do we ever get frustrated? Ever become so focused on a personal agenda that the spiritual life and perspective suffers? What a loving, patient God that bears with so many wanderings - such frequent neglect. The verse came at a time when it was really needed. It serves both as a warning and a comfort. Down with the personal, prideful, self-serving desires. God breaks the pride of those he loves by withholding their joy and peace and sending trials that work in us his glory and our good.

The verse offers both a comfort and a warning. A comfort that humility and confession will be met with God's grace. It's also a command which may not be ignored. Recently a friend bodly warned and encourged me in this matter. I have to say thanks. We can't pull ourselves out of our troubles, but one thing I know. Persisting in the means of grace - reading God's word, prayer, and receiving counsel is blessed by God. Read and pray - especially during those times when you don't feel like it. A follower of Christ who continually scurries off to fight his own little battles along the way, dropping his sword, setting down his shield for the weight of it, leaving his helmet because of the heat is continually returning with wounds and scars that he might have avoided.

Who needs a cel phone anyway?

I do. At least that's the way I felt Tuesday morning when I realized that I left it on a sidewalk bench in Lynden Monday night. I ate breakfast wondering whether anyone would have seen it - whether there were enough kindly, honest people in Lynden that might wait for "the" phone call, or if one of those daily bus-junkies would have seen it and tossed it into the bushes.

Ten minute drive into Lynden and no phone. I remembered exactly where I'd left it. (no, i'm not telling you). Arriving at my office I spent 5 minutes calling the phone hoping there'd be an answer. Nope. Waited 5 minutes and rang it again. Lynden Police. "We found your phone" - when can you pick it up?

So... the Lynden Police do a decent job, eh? A foot patrol found it overnight - and left it to ring in their office.

That's better than dropping the phone in water. I've learned that cel phones don't work under water.

I'll come up with more creative ways to damage or lose my phone yet.