The Blueprint for Happiness

Do you want to be a happy person? Live God's way. Do you want to be an unhappy person? Live your own way.
Read the full article here

Catching Up

Where in the world have I been?
Well, another week of travel happened this past week. Tuesday through Thursday was spent in the Salt Lake City UT area. Friday was spent at home while our radon evacuation system was installed. Please check your radon level if you have not done so.
In my quiet times I transitioned from Ruth to 1 Samuel to 2 Samuel in the Old Testament. Here are some thoughts:

• John 6:43 states that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. This is a very sobering passage to me and really make me think about what I believe related to election.
  

• A gentle answer turns away wrath, a harsh word stirs up anger ~ Proverbs 15:1
  

• In John 7 men did not understand Jesus or who he was; Jesus pointed people to God the Father

• In John 8 there is a woman who was caught in adultery, Jesus taught that all have sinned; Jesus forgave her and challenged her to sin no more

• 1 Samuel 18:5 Saul tasked David, David accomplished his task well, Saul promoted David. This illustrates the point of doing your work well before expecting a promotion.
  

• 1 Samuel 19:1 illustrates that close personal relationships are stronger than other formal structures like boss-employee or father-son

• John 8:31 states that a person must hold to Jesus' teaching to be a true disciple

• John 9:15 contains a simple testimony: He put mud on my eyes, I washed them like He told me to, and now I can see

• Proverbs 15:20 is true of my son Darren; a wise son brings joy to his father

A Week of Travel

This past week (Monday through Friday) was spent in southern California on business. As a result my time in Scripture was less than normal. Here are a few thoughts:

• In Judges 15 the Spirit of God came upon Sampson with such power he killed 1000 men with a donkey jawbone. Then in Judges 16 the details of Sampson’s demise are detailed as he becomes a victim of “love”

• In John 2 Jesus performs his first miracle by turning water into wine. I thought it an interesting statement when it says that Jesus did not entrust himself to men because he knew them.

• Jesus personally teaches Nicodemus to believe in Him and to have eternal life (John 3)

• Judges 19:17 “Where are you going? Where did you come from?” How would you answer?

• Judges 20 illustrates how one act of violence can cause such great damage

• Jesus spent time with his disciples and baptized people (John 3:22)

• Proverbs 14:23 states that hard work brings profit and mere talk leads to poverty

Also this week I transitioned from the book of Judges to the book of Ruth in my Old Testament reading.

Blessings to you.