Back to Routine

We are back in the RGV since Wednesday and back to somewhat a routine.We drove on Wednesday for about 200 miles or so in lots of rain, but otherwise it was a pleasant trip as the weather was overcast and made for smooth driving. We spent a few days getting resettled again, having to grocery shop on Thursday. I always hate to grocery shop after a vacation, as there is so much to purchase. We are still under restrictions due to Covid but everyone seems to be obeying rules, although I do not know how many folks are taking a long week-end at S Pardre Island. I suppose the Covid numbers will rise this coming week. The results of the hurricane are very evident here at the park, with many units still needing repair. At least one was totaled, others damages extensively. Our cousin neighbor, Marian, had her patio door glass shattered - either from the hurricane, but most likely from a weed-eater or lawn mower. The manager is standing the cost of repairs, so we cleaned up all the broken glass, contacted a glass company, and it soon will be repaired. We also put a door, found near the dumpster, in place so it looks like her patio door is locked and no one can try to enter. Our neighbor on the other side had a few minor repairs, so we have taken care of that for him, too. The Lord tells us to take care of the widows (Marian) and to love our neighbors as ourselves, so there was no question as to what we should do. Earlier the other morning (4 AM) I heard dogs barking outside our bedroom window. Soon there was a scratching noise (the sound of claws against metal). I looked out and saw 5 HUGE dogs digging at the backdoor neighbor's AC unit. Evidently they had some animal trapped in it and were digging to get it out. I pounded on the window and they took off in a flash - hope they were random dogs and not some that hang out in the park, as I like to walk and do not want to meet a pack of large dogs. I will notify the manager and see if the maintenance guys can check it out. The neighbor will have to have it repaired when he returns later this year.

The ducks and geese are much braver now that the park is more empty. They are walking in small groups ( Social distancing?) all around the park, picking up bugs due to the rain we have had. It is great fun watching them waddle around, unaware of us watching them!! As more people arrive, they will then contain themselves beyond the fence by the lake. But until then, we get to enjoy them up close.

Two more ladies with bad reputations for you to ponder on:

Jezebel - The woman who personified pure evil. Jezebel was the daughter of the priest-king who ruled  Tyre and Sidon. When Jezebel married Ahab, she persuaded him to introduce the worship of Baal, a nature god. A woman of fierce energy, she tried to destroy those who opposed her; most of the prophets were killed at her command. These cruel actions provoked the wrath of Elijah; he a prophesied a severe drought as divine retribution. Sometime later Elijah had the Baal priests slain, after they lost a contest with him to see which god would heed prayers to ignite a bull offering. When Jezebel heard of the slaughter, she swore to have Elijah killed, forcing him to flee for his life. The last vicious act of Jezebel was to accuse Naboth of blasphemy when he refused to part with a family vineyard which led to his death by stoning. Elijah confronted Jezebel’s father in the vineyard, predicting that he and all his heirs would be destroyed and that dogs in Jezreel would devour Jezebel. She lived on for approximately another ten years after her father died. A new king. Jehu killed Jezebel’s son. Expecting Jehu, she tried to tempt him.  She looked down from her window and taunted him. Jehu ordered her eunuchs to throw her out the window. Later, when he commanded that she be properly buried as a king’s daughter, it was discovered that dogs had eaten most of her body. The dictionary describes Jezebel as a sexually immoral, manipulative woman. Don’t be a Jezebel.

Herodias – the woman who could not handle the truth.  She was the unlawful wife of the tetrarch Herod Antipas and had formerly been the wife of Herod’s brother, Philip. As the granddaughter of Herod the Great,  Herodias was herself a niece to both of her husbands, Philip and Antipas. John the Baptist publicly denounced their adultery. Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted him to be executed. Herod put John in prison for Herodias’s sake but did not put him to death because he was afraid of the people, who believed John was a prophet. Herod also seemed to believe that John was a righteous man and even though he was puzzled by the things John said, he “liked to listen to him”. Finally, the time came for Herodias to get her revenge on John. During Herod’s birthday celebration, Herodias’s daughter danced for the king and his guests, pleasing Herod so much that he promised the girl whatever she asked. After consulting with her mother, the girl asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Herod was sorry over being put in this predicament, but, because of his vow and the his standing with his guests, Herod had John beheaded in prison. The prophet’s head was brought to the daughter of Herodias, who gave it to her mother. Don’t try to silence the truth if it hurts you to hear it. And don’t resent the person who exposes sin in your life, they are really doing you a favor.

What are we, as Christians, supposed to do in this time of national elections? Acts 1-3 seems to have the answers for us if we read and explore it carefully. We are going to take a look at the early church in relation to today's world. There were only about 120 people in the early church. The odds were against them to change the world's way of thinking, but they lived their faith despite the opposition. What did they do to turn the world around - to change the whole Roman Empire? We are also going to need to be Biblically correct. We as God's people, need to have a voice. We hope that by election, we will be Biblically in focus on how to vote. The church always works best when the God's are against us. When we feel the pressure of the outside world, it drives us to our knees. As we look at Acts, we see that the odds were against the early Christians to succeed. As Christians today we are looked at with distain, even looked down on. As Christians today we offer hope to those who do not seem to have any hope at all. This is now our greatest opportunity to be able to share Jesus Christ with them. Acts was written by Luke who also wrote the Book of -- yep, Luke was a doctor and a Gentile. He made us understand that the resurrection was not the end, but the beginning of Jesus' teachings even today. We as Christians are here today to fulfill the work of Jesus. Are you convinced that Jesus Christ was crucified, dead, buried, and then rose on the third day? If we are truly followers of Him, we must be truly convinced of this. If we are not, we we will not be able to stand the pressure in today's world. God provides within us the power of the Holy Spirit in us to live as Christians. Which kingdom are we following, the kingdom of Rome (the world today) or the kingdom of God? The real one we need to promote is the kingdom of God which will change the world today. When will Jesus return? We are not on the the time and date committee as to when, but we are on the preparation committee!! Our #1 priority is to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. To be a witness is to have a first hand knowledge of the truth. We have to die for self and live for Jesus. What can we do on earth that we cannot do in heaven? We can tell a lost person about Jesus. Those in heaven already know about Him!! Tell a lost person about Him. You do not have to convince others that they need Jesus Christ in their lives. Tell them how much He means in your life and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. If you truly love some one who is lost, talk to them bout Jesus. Our place is to witness - start in your Jerusalem - in your neighborhood, city or town, right where you are now. We have to have the power, given to us by the Holy Spirit, to witness for Jesus Christ. We can be overwhelmed in trying to  make a difference in our world.  Pray for the strength to  make a difference. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe.