A new begining

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecc 7:8)

I just found this scripture. After the last month of I would say trying times, I would admit this scripture is fitting. As you know we have not been on here very much. As I write this I find that I miss blogging. I miss hearing from my friends.

I went on this wonderful walk called the Emmaus. It has provided me with the courage to face life, a life out of my control. It also provided me with something I can control, my relationship with Christ. Do you ever really think what the world would be like without having the ability to believe in a higher power? The world without Christ? That is a world I would prefer not to be part of. I am a fighter and I don't scare that easily. But without a true relationship with our Lord, that terrifies me.

I see what some may seem as the dark side of the streets of our city. Saturday night, I saw my wife sit next to a man laying against the wall and all he wanted was to have someone say a prayer with him. He was trashed on booze, and he recently lost one of his friends to the streets of Columbus. The only thing he could think about is someone saying a prayer with him.

Our friends on the street are the modern day lepers. It's like they have to call out and announce to the world they are homeless. What has modern day society come too? What makes us better then anyone else? I know that so many homeless have made poor choices. But what about the Vets who cannot find a job, and the government red taped their monthly check ? Or the mother to be that has no family and now she is living on the streets in a tent with a known child molester. There is so much to every story, but the one simple fact that everyone forgets that we are all still children of God. We all wear the same crown as a prince or princess of Christ. When we return home to our Father, we go as brothers and sisters. Why cannot we do that here on earth? I understand that everyone has a busy life and we all worry about how we are going to pay our bills. What does it hurt to take 5 minutes to say a prayer for that person you saw on a street corner? Or what about taking a few minutes and talk with that person that you see sitting on the corner that you pass everyday? Maybe get their story and represent our Lord the way he asked us to do. Have you ever stopped and offered to say a prayer with your neighbor? We are talking about the person right next door to you.

When Christ was hung from the cross for our sins, he was not hanging there next to businessmen, he was next to a thief. He didn't turn this thief away, but said you will be in paradise. Why? Because the thief believed in our Lord. Do you? I mean do you really believe in our Lord? I will admit that I believe, but I have a hard time with some of the rules. I mean the 10 he gave Moses, I can follow those, no problem. However there are a few in the good book recently I find very hard to follow. I choose to at this time not to give those away. Let's call it writers choice.

Recently the words hard heart have been spoken in my home and with my friends. I really never thought about what that means until recently. Now, it seems that it is a phrase used a lot by Christians. It is kind of funny, it is used more by my friends then by the homeless we serve. A family living in a tent with nothing to eat is less likely to complain than someone with a job and a nice home. Why is that? That is one question that will be on my mind for some time.

So, here is another question. Ready? When a baby is born, your friends and family show up and smile with you. When you have someone die, they come and cry with you. So, where does everyone go, when there are problems in your life? I am not talking about financial, I am talking about, standing by you and fighting off Satan. Or if Satan has attacked, you have to reach out and ask for people to forgive you, even when the sin was not against you. I have had the the best couple of friends show up and they were really there for me as a person. However, someone special had made mistakes and she was completely ignored. Well, except by one friend who showed frustration because the choice this special someone made was not her choice. Shouldn't we count on our friends at all times? When Jesus found out his friend died, he went and resurrected his friend. Here is a news flash, he walked for some ways to get to him. We have cars, so driving over just to say a prayer with your friend is not that hard. The word of the day is forgiveness!!!!! God forgives at least 10 billion times a day, thanks to Jesus. How come it is so hard to forgive?

Do you remember the phrase WWJD? That should be tattooed to everyone. By the way I got my first tat, doesn't hurt, too bad, just saying. So if we could all think of that phrase at least once a day, I think your world would be better. I know your families life would be better. Try walking in someone elses shoes, here's a pair, try Christ's shoes. The ones Christ wore before he they pierced his feet with those spikes in order to forgive our sins. I will tell you this, WWMD (What Would Mike Do) has not been good for me.

I am ready for my new beginning, are you?

God Bless you all!!!!


Michael