Maturing - It's Not So Bad After All

I think I have finally come to the conculsioin that maturing in my forties isn't so bad.  Here's just a few of the plus(s) as I contemplate my life on this Shabbat:

- I enjoy taking naps on Shabbat
- I realize I am not as concerned about what other people may think
- I enjoy the small things in life; like watching birds play in the backyard, squirrels eating off a corn cob, and beautiful flowers starting to bloom
- I like taking deep breaths and 'taking it all in' and am not as concerned about everything in life like I used to be
- I look at the gray hairs in my beard or on the side of my head and say to myself, 'man that looks good, looks like 'wisdom' is finally coming in'
- I enjoy the family time more then ever before, like sitting around a fire pit eating smores with a chill in the air and warmth by fire all at the same time
- I am thankful and feel immensely blessed where I am in my life and career, and while I want to go further and do more, I realize that the 24x7 chaos of trying to get there isn't all that's cracked up to be
- And yes, I tear up once in a while as I watch my teenagers, reminiscing about when they were just babies and holding them or playing games or reading books
- And most of all..........I realize my teenagers will be adults one day, have their own kids and life, and may go through similar situations me and Mrs P. went through, then I sit back, get a big smile on my face and say 'baaaahahahahahahahahahah'.

Yes folks, being in your early forties isn't so bad after all.  Remember, work hard, play hard, and most of all give the glory to our Father YEHOVAH in all things.

Shalom!!!

The Joy of Believing

Since I haven't blogged about anything in quite some time, I thought why not on this beautiful Shabbat day.

I read a posting this morning that Hebrew Roots and Messianic believers can many times take the joy out of being a believer.  I can somewhat relate to that because it seems many posts on various media outlets only pertain to negativity and division between YEHOVAH's two groups of believers.  Instead of relishing in the fact that we have many people, all on the same road trying to serve and learn about the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we instead criticize and belittle........every.......little........thing someone does or does not do.

It seems many believers become so arrogant in what they've learned, that everyone else has to conform to their standard or else we just don't measure up.  Instead of growing together, someone ends up creating their own doctrine (probably unintentional but it happens) others need to conform too.  No wonder there are so some many 'doctrines' in the first place.

So today my friends, whoever and wherever you are, I would ask you to let the joy of believing fill your heart, find peace in yourself and your HIS belief system, learn to work next to and discuss issues of doctrines as adults (please as adults not as kindergarteners) with open hearts and minds so we can all grow and learn.  Remember, our Father says 'iron sharpens iron', not 'this iron is sharper then yours so if you don't conform to these 11 minute principles I will cut you down'.

YEHOVAH's words, HIS son and his covenant with us is so beautiful, so engaging and poetic, that don't we owe it to HIM to be kind and loving to our brothers and sisters no matter where they are in their walk.  I believe we do.  Find the joy again in Father, let HIM reign down Glory and Mercy in your life, relish in what YESHUA did on the cross and be the light we are called to be; not by saying it, but by living a friendly, joy filled life helping each brother and sister along.

Shabbat Shalom