A path less taken

Now the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,saying,

"Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down

from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.  Acts 8:26

If you visit friends who live on the coast, they will know of a local path to the beach.  You may walk over wooden planks instead of beautiful boardwalks, and the occasional thorn may stick you, but chances are good you're at a prime beach location. It's a spot barely dotted with locals who quietly allow rows and rows of tourists to pack in from an entry point at a much farther distance.

     Crowds were packing in to hear Philip preach and see him perform miracles. He had no plans to leave Samaria. Then, just like that, God sent word to Philip that he must hit the dessert road. . . and he had no idea why.

      How many of us would have said, "But have you seen the crowds who are coming to worship? Why am I being sent to the desert alone?"

      In Philip's case, we know why. God wanted him to encounter the Ethiopian official. 

      Following Christ involves taking a less populated and often lesser-known path. Sometimes this path is not well-defined, so you find that your steps are more hopeful than sure.

       Phillip was drawing crowds, but was suddenly sent to the desert to talk to a single man. How many of us would walk away from the admiration of the masses to travel to a desolate place for one conversation?

God didn't send Philip to the desert forever - just for a moment.

     The path less taken does have its advantages.  It gives you an opportunity to view God's creation as He intended it - wild and free, not safe and manicured. Without all the noise, you hear His voice more easily.  You're not fighting crowds who have chosen an easier, more traveled route. No, this less-traveled path gives you quiet solitude, populated only by those who reside there or who have walked this same path previously.

And you learn that, if you must, you can travel this path alone. Because if you know who is leading you, you know where it leads.

     Lord, I may choose a different path to the beach today as a reminder that Your path is different from all that the world offers.  Yours is the only path to eternal life.

Source: Devotions for the Beach

Linking to Spiritual Sundays  Hosted by Charlotte  

J is for Jerusalem

Just sharing a few shots of Jerusalem . . .

This is a view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives looking across Kidron Valley. 

Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount

... evening shadows over the Old City

. . . camel rides on the Mount of Olives

Enjoyed having you visit. Y'all come back!

Joining Alphabet Thursday  

Come along for more adventures

Spiritual Sundays

The Church Goes On

He really planned to go to church.
He knew it was important, and would help him in his life,
Because of all the turmoil that he faced, and all the strife.
But somehow days just slipped away, and then the months and years,
While he kept struggling with his guilt, his problems and his fears,
And so, the church went on without him.

He said he soon would go to church.
He oft recalled the childhood times he went to Sunday School,
And how he learned John 3:16, and said the Golden Rule.
And he remembered pictures taken with his blushing bride,
While at the altar vows were said, as they stood side by side.
But now, the church went on without him.

He truly meant to go to church.
He worked so many hours each week, and when the weekend came,
He needed time just to relax, or practice his golf game.
And there were dozens of small tasks that he alone could do.
Before he even finished them, his weekend time was through.
And so, the church went on without him.

He promised he would go to church.
When friends and family begged him, he had lots of reasons why
The time was not convenient, but it would be by and by.
Soon things would settle down, and he would have more time to do
The countless tasks that he'd put off, and some that were brand new.
But still, the church went on without him.

He finally went to church.
His friends all came to see him, and to say a last farewell.
And many eyes were teary as they heard his funeral knell.
They thought of all the wasted years, and blessings cast aside,
Because he thought he'd find the time for church before he died.
And still, the church goes on without him.

Source - Betty Jo Mings

This poem really got my attention. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the "busyness" of
life and fail to do what I was placed here to do,  worship him and witness
to others. 

Please join me atSpiritual Sundays

Blue Monday

January is the time of year when my thoughts go to new beginnings. I start to think about changing things in my life. . . diet, exercising, organizing, and decorating. Since the first two things on the list haven't happened in the past I think it's safe to say they won't. If you see me running, you need to call the police because you can bet someone is after me! That said, I have decided to concentrate on organizing the home and doing some frugal decorating changes.

On my quest for inspiration, I found some beautiful blues and wonderful ideas for organizing

                                                                    

                                                                    Source - Woman's Day

                                                              Source - Pinterest

                                                                   Source - Pinterest

I can probably only be this organized in my dreams. I have purged files in the office area and organized all of my spices this week. I think some of them were as old as me... but that's a start, right?

I have one last photo to calm and organize the mind . . .

                                                               Source Pinterest

Please join me at  Smiling Sally's for Blue Monday

Glad you dropped by and Y'all come back!