Happy New Year 2020!

This is from Pinterest.com

My friend, Anastazia called me tonight on New Year’s Eve.

We met many years ago, and I’ve caught up with her after she moved to a state away from Upstate NY. She told me tonight that her favorite verse is John 14:6-7. These are the verses in the Contemporary English Version, (CEV): John 14:6  “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. 

John 14:7  If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.” 

Jesus goes on to explain that He and the Father are one.

Anastazia said she used to believe in reincarnation until she read these verses. She decided it didn’t matter if she lived 50 different lives, according to Jesus she wouldn’t make it to heaven to the Father without faith in Jesus Christ. She decided to find out more about Jesus, God’s Son. She asked me, “Do you know that no other god died for the sins of people so they could be forgiven?”

She gathers with a group of people that meet because they were born in the same part of the world that she was born in, across the ocean, and now they all reside in the United States of America. They asked the attendees to share something they’re grateful for.

She spent two minutes telling them how much God loves them and that she was grateful she found out about Jesus and that through Him she can enter heaven one day. He took her sin upon Himself to satisfy the requirements that God the Father has, only righteous people can enter heaven and if we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, turn from them with His help, and ask Jesus to be the boss of our lives, we’ll have wonderful purpose for our lives and an amazing eternity, free from the torment of hell. His sacrificial offering makes people righteous.

When I sin, I ask Jesus to forgive me and I try to make it right, as Jesus asks me to do. His sacrifice makes me clean every time I repent. I can’t plan to rob a bank or plot to react to someone in anger and decide I’ll just ask Jesus to forgive me afterwards. It doesn’t work that way.

I like talking to Anastazia because she gives me things to think about. She spoke to a large group of people, but she kept it short and succinct.

We didn’t talk about plans for the New Year, but I like to dream and ask God for direction. Have you ever asked Jesus about Him being the only way to heaven? He came to His own people, the Israelites first and then He wanted non-Jews to find Him next. I read Revelation chapter 22 today and it describes heaven. What a wonderful place!

If you’re interested in salvation, 2020 could be the most amazing year of your life. Not without strife, but with the help of God at your side.

May God bless you!

God Will Do A New Thing

I read Isaiah 43:18,19 today from a note. It said, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

At the end of summer this year, my husband and I went to an annual picnic hosted by friends. They always lock their dog in a bedroom near the bathroom because she’s bitten people in the past.

The owner invited me into her home and just before I entered, a song we sing at our church downloaded into my mind. I was surprised.

“For the spirit of heaviness put on the spirit of praise,” a paraphrase of Isaiah 61:3 (KJV).

Then, peace flooded my entire being. I walked inside and the dog began heading my way. “Don’t be afraid. She’ll be all right if you don’t show fear.”

“I’m not afraid,” I told her as my mind wondered, why is the dog out?

I felt the dog’s cold nose touch the back of my leg and the peace never lifted. The little canine got bored and went into another room. I’ve been afraid of dogs for over 30 years when my oldest daughter got bit and I stood by paralyzed by terror.

In October, I stopped at a farm to buy apple cider and apples. A mongrel came charging out, barking away and I scanned the yard for a farmer. I put the back of my hand out for the mutt to sniff and thought, surely, they wouldn’t have a mean dog interacting with the public in the middle of the day.

The dog sniffed me and off it went. I experienced no fear!

Fast forward to December and our trip to Romania to Beliefinmotion.org. We hear not to handle dirt because of all the wild dogs roaming the countryside. “You don’t know what may be mixed in the soil.”

Fear stayed away. Many homes had courtyards with canines chained just inside their metal-walled gates. Fierce barking greeted us and I veered closer to the house, respecting the dog’s right to protect its masters, but my heartbeat didn’t spike like it used to. How great is our God!

            May God bless you!

Mission Trip Realized

In the last blog, I mentioned writing smaller pieces more often because of an upcoming busy season. What I didn’t know-there would be no internet in many places I stayed at.

                I went south for a wedding and the day after Thanksgiving got on a plane to Europe. My husband texted, “Enjoy your life long dream of going on a mission’s trip.”

                After a layover in Paris, France which thrilled me, off we went to the airport in Budapest, Hungary and afterwards a four-hour trip to BeliefinMotion.org mission for eight days. What a privilege to meet godly leaders and staff, and to pitch in to help where I could.

                On our way home, we got to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City and it was the least impressive of the four airports we visited. We stopped in Rome on our way back.

                We distributed gifts to people in poor villages in Romania and told them Merry Christmas in their language. I am still in jet lag status, so I’ll sign off. I hope to include a photo or two.

                May God bless you!