Lessons learned the first 50 years

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I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
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Living the Gospel life

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 http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/two-big-reasons-evangelism-isn-t-working

John Piper recently posted why evangelism isn't working:
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5–6). “So faith comes from hearing, and hearingthrough the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

 He goes on to say: 
Paul says “know how you ought to answer each person.” This means that most of your gospel explanations will be different, not canned. It also implies a listening evangelism. How can we know how to respond to each person, if we don’t know each person?

 He drives his point home by saying:
Love is inefficient. It slows down long enough to understand people and their objections to the gospel. Love recognizes people are complex, and meets them in their need: suffering, despair, indifference, cynicism, confusion. 
When we come to the end of ourselves, when we get over our own egos, then loving the unlovable, the harsh, and the broken becomes much easier, because we know ... When we are honest....that also really is us. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 talks about our works produced by faith, our labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in Jesus. We can do the call He has on our lives when we remind ourselves that we were once unloved and now adopted (though we were His enemy). Vs 4 goes on to say we are loved and chosen by God. When we remind ourselves of who we were before Christ, and who He is making us to be, then our only response...out of a grateful...and quite honestly...shocked heart is to love big. 1 Thessalonians 2 :8 because we love you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel ...but our very lives. Love is time consuming, but effective.... Its not for the weak. Thankfully He calls all of His children to be warriors.

 I try to invest in people and love people where they are at.   We work side by side with people at the horse rescue and love them where they are.  My oldest son went to Costa Rica to take care of children for free so the parents would have more money to get necessities.   I paint to try to bring joy and thought on who He is.    I always want to have my eyes open and  heart ready to love people well.  This only can be done by being constantly in His word and praying without ceasing.     It is hard, but it always feels good to obey His calling.

Noah in Costa Rica



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