New beginnings

   For many, school is about to begin for the new year. We need to take the opportunity to pray for the school districts, schools, administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students as they begin the new year. My wife and I are involved in education; our children are grown, but our hearts still go out to the families that are affected by the transition to the start of the new school year.

  There is always a sense of anticipation and excitement when the school year starts. From the new kindergarten student to the senior enjoying their last year, there is something exciting that happens when the new school year starts. There is often the anticipation of teachers and staff when they transition to a new building, or move to a different grade level or new building. Many hours of preparation go into getting ready for the first day; lots of teacher training and lesson planning go into prepping for the first day.

  With the beginning of the school year, I am reminded of the importance of our faith as the children return to school. The responsibility that we have as mentors to the younger generations is great; our faith in Christ must be strong. It can be stressful going through the day-to-day activities - whether you are involved in education or not.

  I want to assure you that prayer is an important part of my life. I don't say that to be bragging, but I take the needs that people share with me VERY seriously. If you ever feel the need to share a request, feel free to email me at revrod88@gmail.com. I have a journal that I keep with me so that I can keep track of the person as well as the need.

God bless!

 

New title: Finding God in Everyday

  You will notice a difference in the blog title: it is now Finding God in Everyday. I still have a passion for the godly life, but many of you are attempting to seek hope in the world today. There is so much going on in the world to make many of us fearful of the future. With all of the violence, sex trafficking, geopolitical problems and so on, it can make us fearful of our future on earth.

   My hope as I take this blog into a new phase, that I will be able to provide (at least) weekly words of encouragement from a biblical perspective.

   One of the more interesting things that I have discovered in the years that I have read the Scriptures is how you can read a passage 100 times, and discover new meanings every time. I have been researching the Gospel of John for some study material; and the first words of that book just stand out for me.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God

and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing 

was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life

was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but 

the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:1-5)(NIV)

   This is talking about the Bible, but it is also talking about Christ. The gospel of John is the book that focuses more on the ministry of Christ on Earth rather than on the birth of Christ. The Bible and the Trinity were all there in the beginning...just let that sink in. John was the intelligent one: he knew his purpose was to be the precursor to the arrival of Jesus on Earth. But in Heaven, the Trinity was all there from the beginning. 

Without the Godhead being at the beginning of the universe, there would have been no hope for us if it was set up any other way. I am encouraged in the knowledge of these verses being the assurance that everything is going to be all right (no matter what goes on in our world right now)!

Blessings