Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3: 5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
So, whom do you trust?
Once while camping out a friend, Duane, went to all of the "neighbors" and gave me a glowing recommendation as to being a trustworthy soul.
He told them to not harass me and to let me enjoy their camaraderie.
Albeit, that was a cool Welcome Wagon greeting that made me feel special.
I echoed his sentiments at Seven Hills Homeless Shelter. I opined that I could be trusted.
Well, gadzooks! One camper told me he didn't trust anyone, and sometimes not even himself.
A few months later after word filtered out that I was working on writing a book, this same dude laughingly told me I could write two chapters on his life and times.
Then we started cussing and discussing about all the people who had died during his seven-year tenure as a tentsman.
He said there had been 20 something unfortunates who perished while camping.
One had a seizure and fell into his camp fire.
I've strayed from my focus on trusting but the Lord can be trusted moreso than trusting other humans or even our own understanding.
In all ways we must accept his grace when we stray from the paths of righteousness.
In other words, you can't live a straight forward life if you think crooked thoughts.
Read the Bible daily. Garnish wisdom from His Holy Words and follow through with a straight face and a straight lifestyle.
Do the right thing. Think the right thoughts. Pray for guidance and wisdom. And He will lead you through the vicissitudes with a long and happy life filled with the blessings He will bestow on His "chosen" people.
Or as Spock spoke on "Star Trek": Live long and prosper.
With God's grace we can live longer and prosper more.

Hurry up...and wait

On Sunday the head of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Arkansas profoundly said, "Don't just do something, stand there!"
Indeed, we all must hurry up...and wait.
Most of us are rushing headlong into the future too fast.
Sometimes it pays to just sit and reflect, rather than brashly act and react to our (mis)fortunes.
God adores those who seek his advice.
In the Epistle of James Chapter 1: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it will be given to him."
What an easy formula for success: just ask God for guidance when facing a difficult decision. He will provide the wisdom to make the right choice.
So, when you're down and out and need some help, get down on your knees and pray to God to help lift you up out of your misery.
He will provide the rescue arms of salvation.
I endured many travails of pain and suffering while struggling to survive as a houseless individual.
But God provided me with great friends like Tom and Joyce Conner, Andrew Kilgore and some others who prefer anonymity.
Praise to God for intersecting into my life the aforementioned Hall of Famers!
Their mercy rescued a wretch like me!
Amazing Grace!

Serenity

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen
Ahh!! This prayer should be a beginning to every day and a benediction at the conclusion of every day.
Some of us are in too big of a hurry to proceed and succeed.
But sometimes it's best to reflect before we act and react.
If we live one day at a time, one moment at a time, then we can be more serene and less mean.
We must accept adverse circumstances on the pathway to peace.
Sometimes we must experience adversity to appreciate a more tranquil time.
Serenity is in the mind of the beholder.
But chaos brings confusion.
Be serene by accepting the things you can't change and permitting God to intervene and provide guidance.
Be courageous and take a stand for the right things and do them in the right way.
Then ask for wisdom from God and learn from one's mistakes.
Try to be happy no matter the circumstance.
If adversity strikes, make a list of the blessings God's ordained in your life.