Dyin' From Vacation

Written by Gary E. Anderson


Continued from page 1

Butrepparttar worst thing wasrepparttar 126760 stifling heat of my new shoes. The salesman had made no mention ofrepparttar 126761 fact that those shoes came with a built-in furnace; much less one stuck onrepparttar 126762 "middle-of-winter" setting all year round. Steam rose from my feet, and I fully expected my socks to catch fire at any moment. I could only hope my mom had anticipated that possibility and ordered fireproof socks. (Luckily, moms are pretty good at stuff like that, which probably explains why you so rarely see kids’ feet burst into flames.)

It seemed to me that shoes were unnecessary, since no one could see my feet anyway, what with my new shirt dragging inrepparttar 126763 dust around me. Onrepparttar 126764 first day of school, I stood atrepparttar 126765 end of our driveway, trying not to be blown into Illinois by a having a gust of wind blow underneath my tent-shirt.

Then something strange happened. Even though I'd soon be seeing kids I'd been missing all summer, suddenly I remembered a thousand things I should have done during that endless summer! But now it was too late. There I was, a 40-year-old fourth grader in a tent-shirt, waiting for a bus, examining a wasted life ... it all seemed so sad.

So I knew exactly what my son was going through. Sometimes it does feel like we're dying from vacation. But sometimes, it's nice to just sit back and enjoyrepparttar 126766 ride—beforerepparttar 126767 school bus comes. That makes perfect sense to an adult, of course. But try explaining it to a fourth grader, who's inrepparttar 126768 process of dying from vacation even as you speak.

© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.

Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He’s published more than 500 articles and four books. He’s also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary’s website at www.abciowa.com.


We Must be Ready. But How?

Written by Maureen G Metcalf


Continued from page 1

Make Him our conscious companion wherever we go, and in whatever we do. Christianity is not merely a religious belief system. It is a living relationship with Jesus Christ! Jesus does not want an arm's length relationship with us. Since he has chosen us to be His Bride, He desires a close relationship! The Bride knows her Bridegroom intimately because she has a living, ongoing, loving, interactive relationship with her Betrothed!

Jesus said some interesting things which tell us how we are to live. Love one another. Do nice things for one another. Be helpful when others need assistance, or cannot provide for themselves.

Be generous with what we have in order to meet other's needs. He even told us to love our enemies! Be kind to those who are unkind to us! Why? That shows His love through us, and actually draws them up short! Why would anyone treat them kindly when they are going out of their way to be unkind or mean? It makes them think! As much as possible, be peacemakers. Avoid unnecessary, unproductive arguments. Interaction is good so long asrepparttar one we are sharing with is at least willing to discuss, even if they hold an opposing opinion. But arguments never accomplish anything except animosities and hard feelings. Seek to treat othersrepparttar 126759 way we want to be treated - with respect. Stand firmly for truth and justice even if no one else does. But atrepparttar 126760 same time show mercy, grace, and extend forgiveness. Hold people accountable, but also raiserepparttar 126761 standard. Do not be a push-over or a door-mat. Stand, lovingly, but firmly for what is true and proper. Do not take unfair advantage of others.

Never seek revenge. The LORD will ultimately mete out His judgment onrepparttar 126762 ungodly and disobedient.

Obeyrepparttar 126763 laws ofrepparttar 126764 land, because they are in place to protect us from harm. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and strength. Do not entertain evil. Do not adopt alternate philosophies of men, or involve ourselves in occult practices. These are just a few directives we find in Scripture.

Where in Scripture do we find a specific set of guidelines forrepparttar 126765 Bride? Read Jesus' messages torepparttar 126766 Seven Churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. They are very revealing! Then follow His advice by listening torepparttar 126767 Holy Spirit guiding us in how to put these requirements into practice. If we actively applyrepparttar 126768 LORD's revealed principles of love to our lives, we will qualify to be His Bride, ready for our heavenly wedding. John continues inrepparttar 126769 passage in Revelation 19, verse 8."And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: forrepparttar 126770 fine linen isrepparttar 126771 righteousness ofrepparttar 126772 saints." She qualifies to be given her wedding dress! She has "made herself ready."

Maureen Metcalf, author of "The Final Schedule Revealed: In the Fall Feasts and Festivals". This book, news sources, studies, discussions, a free bookmark, and more can be found at her website: http://teshuvatrumpet.org


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