Have I looked to You for help?
Have I told You my troubles?
Have I sought after wisdom?
Have I asked You for guidance?
Have I leaned on Your strength?
Have I hidden in Your shelter?
Have I run to Your tower?
Have I worshipped at Your throne?
Have I hungered after righteousness?
Have I thirsted for living waters?
Have I walked in the right paths?
Have I followed the Good Shepherd?
Have I set myself apart from this world?
Have I burned with holy fire?
Have I proclaimed the Gospel?
Have I fallen to my knees?
Have I exhibited fruit of Your Spirit?
Have I learned of You today?

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I trust;
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none of those who
wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously
without cause will be ashamed.
Make me know Your ways, O Lord;
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day."
Psalm 25:1-5

On my four-day sojourn to the sunny South, I was absolutely enthralled by the blue skies and gorgeous clouds. Though equally enthusiastic about a snapping turtle sunning himself by the pond—or at least, you would think if you heard my brother and sister talk. For the record, I really DID take a picture of a snapping turtle. And I thought it was cool! And I kept going back to look at the picture. Because it was cool! See! COOL!

And then he jumped in... Ah, the things that amuse me! :)

Moving on…

Throughout the week, I walked around with my eyes lifted towards the sky. Always looking up. People probably thought I was a little strange. Like “don’t mind me, I’m a sun-and-warmth-deprived Northerner!” But the pictures were worth it... Here were some of my sky-views!

I’ve been meditating on the question, “What do you live for?”

The weekend? Your next paycheck? When you’re in a “relationship?” When you get married? Your next vacation? When you meet “The One?” * When you graduate? When you buy a house? When you can travel? When you have a family? When you get famous? When you retire?

These life goals—the focus of many souls—seem so shallow. Pointless. Small-minded. Downcast. In a sense that these desires are only for the most temporary of fulfillments. And yet... As Christians, we have different goals. A different focus. Something real and eternal and wonderful to live for!!!

We must be always looking up! Oh, just to be with Jesus! To see His face! To bask in His presence! To be in awe of His power, to experience His great strength firsthand.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:37-39

I am blogging from the sunny South. Visiting my younger bro and his family in North Carolina. I (heart) the South, by the way. Really, really love the beautiful sunny weather. They are about 3 months ahead of us seasonally or so it seems. :)

Anyway, visiting family always makes me think about my loyalty to Jesus. It has been said that blood is thicker than water. In other words, there is nothing stronger than the loyalty of blood relations. However, as a Christian, I have a loyalty to a more precious Blood. The Blood that was shed by my Saviour. Though I love my family (and I do love them very much), I am more loyal to the Master. My glorious Lord.

Love God best.
Love people less.