It was a relaxing and busy day today. We had a great time at church in the morning. Did a new Paul Baloche song that went well. Kathy and I went to Saratoga after lunch to get some stuff. After that, Kathy was tired out so I let her rest and I went to a family picnic up to my sisters. Had a great time there even though I couldn't stay long. I love the summer months when we can get together outside to enjoy this beautiful weather in the Adirondacks.
Now, as I am sitting at my desk in my " Upper Room" , I was reading a section of scripture about the apostle Matthew. It is in Luke 5:28. It says how when Jesus called Matthew (Levi) to follow him, he left everything and became a follower of Jesus.
Think about it. He was a tax collector for the unpopular Roman government. The Jews hated them and most of the collectors were crooked because they would sometimes over charge the Jews and pocket the difference. But here was Jesus looking at this one tax collector and He must have saw something in him to call him into a partaker of His ministry. What was going through Matthew's mind at the time? Did he know who Jesus was? Right there, I believe, he looked into the Savior's eyes and saw something and heard His words and was willing to leave everything behind. I mean everything! The money he had been collecting, his job with the Roman government, his security with that job, maybe his family, etc. In seconds, he had a huge lifestyle change that would change his life forever!!!
As I think about that, I have to wonder about the repercussions that must have accured from that decision. At one minute, to be a representative of the Roman government and the next to be a follower of someone who would be turning the world upside down!!
Now, think about that in our own lives. Have I heard the call of God? Have I gotten up without questioning it and acted upon it? A radical change in my life that would maybe not the most popular thing to do? Some would say something like,"Well, that was different. We don't have anything like that today." .  But we do!!! I know of a lot of people who have received the call of God in their life and they have had huge lifestyle changes. Let's look at the example of coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Now that is not a real popular choice in our day! But, when you have experienced it, and I mean really experienced it, it is a radical change! Sure, you are still a work in progress but if you follow His "footsteps" of life, it is an AWESOME life!! Doesn't mean your life is easy, but you realize who is walking with you!
Something to ponder about....Matthew was obedient to the calling of Jesus....Are you and I???


Later!!!!

Hi All!!!

Been a long time since I wrote anything here. The year is almost half over with already. Kathy and I have been busy with her recovery from all the surgeries and we are seeing God work things out. Today we celebrated 31 years of being married!!! We had a nice day. We went up to my sister's camp up north and spent the afternoon just sitting around and enjoying God's creation. And I did some fishing. Didn't catch anything but it is still fun! It is amazing what you can see and hear when you just take the time and be still and not worry about your cell phone, facebook, twitter, etc and take in all that is around you. We have been through a lot over the years but we are so thankful that we have each other. I am the luckiest man on the earth!!!