Importance of cousins

My first cousin, who is five years younger than me, died this week. He died in his sleep and was found by his son when he didn't answer his phone. We will be going to his funeral in a few days and I was pondering if I could work it in because of other plans. Well, I began reflecting on scripture and remembered how Mary, who was with child (Jesus) went to the hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth who also was with child (John the Baptist). My answer was to go to the funeral and it was in that reflection that I felt it was important to go. It would have been difficult for Mary to go, but her cousin meant a great deal to her and God was directing her to go. I feel now that God is directing me to go to my cousin's funeral and to be with my other cousins that will be there. Cousins were important in scripture and are still important. Time and distance often prevents us from seeing our relatives very often and we lose touch, however, the fact remains they are still family and should be treated as family. In my book "Living Waters: Writings from the Heart of a Christian" the third chapter is all about family and how important they are to us and how to love them with God's love. So now I am wondering why I even had a fleeting thought of not going to the funeral as other plans can always be changed, but a funeral is only once. Have a great week!

Yielding to God's will!

Yesterday (Thursday) I was on the Public Pulse radio program here in Sheridan. The interview went really well and by the end of the 30 minutes I was so amazed at how it all turned out. I had certain things in mind to talk about and the interview seemed to go in a different direction, God's direction. I was very pleased, but pleasantly surprised. God knows who was listening and what needed to be said! We can be his hands, his mouthpiece, his feet, etc. if we yield ourself to him and allow ourself to be his instrument so that his plan comes about. I have a book signing tomorrow morning at a bookstore here and hopefully my talk will be what God wants and not what I want! Have a good week.

Lent

Lent begins this Wednesday, March 9th and lasts until April 23rd which is a period of six weeks. The ashes I will receive on my forehead on Ash Wednesday is a reminder that I am dust and to dust I will return. It also reminds me that it is time to do some special things and to get started right away because six weeks goes by extremely fast! Matthew 6:1 states that we should take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them. So it can be tricky in my estimation to do good things and not boast about it or let people know you are doing it for lent. It is a good idea to start thinking about some ways you can make a good lent and then begin on Ash Wednesday. I will share with you some ideas that came to me in the mail recently as I feel they are good and helpful. "Do something kind and anonymously for someone; Read the scriptures daily; Fast and pray during a mealtime that you have given up; Pray for the unfortunate; Resist temptation; Help a homeless person; Make peace with a family member that you are estranged from; Confess your sins; Ask forgiveness from someone you have wronged. Offer words of encouragement; Donate to the less fortunate; Give up eating between meals; Make Jesus the center of your life." There are so many others things a person can do, but hopefully these few will help you get started and on Easter Sunday you will feel like you too have risen from your old way of life and new things are in store for you. Happy Lent!