Endurance

In Sunday School we have been studying 2 Timothy. Today's devotional reading was 2 Timothy 3, which was part of yesterday's S.S. lesson as well. Verse 1 says "In the last days perilous times will come." Last days... the days before Christ returns ... many hundreds of years have already passed; perilous, grievious times will come - have come - there will be / we are in its midst.

I generally read the New King James version of the Bible, but occasionally The Living Bible paraphrased provides a clearer understanding. Here is what verses 1-9 say:

"You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshipping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything they hear. Don't be taken in by people like that. They are the kind who craftily sneak into other people's homes and make friendships with silly, sin-burdened women and teach them their new doctrines. Women of that kind are forever following new teachers, but they never understand the truth. And these teachers fight truth just as Jannes and Jambres fought against Moses. They have dirty minds, warped and twisted, and have turned against the Christian faith. But they won't get away with all this forever. Some day their deceit will be well known to everyone, as was the sin of Jannes and Jambres."

We are to persevere. God allows trials in our lives not to impair us but to improve us. Sometimes its hard to see, usually its hard to see what God has planned for us. But He knows best. Some of you may remember that old TV show, "Father Knows Best." Well, its true. Our Father does know best. Our heavenly father, the one who is always looking out for His children, for what is best for them.

Memories

This afternoon my husband and I drove from Cedar Rapids to West Branch to see the 60's exhibit (before it closed) at the Herbert Hoover Museum & Library. Admission was $12. Some of it was quite a fun trip down memory lane when we were teenagers, with the TV shows, music and dress. But, there was a lot of pain and sadness during those years, things I had forgotten or had buried - such as Kent State, riots, black inequality, Vietnam. Some things today have not changed much. Some things remain the same, we just get older, not necessarily any wiser.

I changed my post name to LauraMae Joy. Why? Laurie or Laura has always been a favorite name. I always thought if I was to have children, a girl, I might name her Laura Mae - Mae was my mom's first name and my middle name. But it didn't happen. There were/are no children. I like the name Joy as well. In my dreams, my imagination, my blog I can call myself whoever I want. So I am.

Remember

These dark, dreary days we've had of late bring to mind that I really am older. For years I would joke with my Sunday School teacher that she was "old," but she and I both knew I was teasing. I have certainly stopped the teasing and like I said, think more of myself in that vein, so it is no longer funny. Getting older is certainly better than the alternative ... in a way. I'm not ready to die, however, if the Lord deemed it the right time, then I would be ready to go to Him. I know of many much older that are ready to be with the Lord.

The dark days, the dampness, bring on all the joint aches you know you have but don't miss when they are away. Tiredness is all too evident as well.

We have been studying 2 Timothy in Sunday School. This week it's on Endurance. I remember writing about remembering God's truths. I don't think I've written them here before. I can't find it anyway. So am sharing them with you now.

R E M E M B E R God's truths

REJOICE in the Lord always for He is with us

ETERNALLY when we have

REPENTED of our sins past present and future and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.

MEDITATE on the Scriptures - the word of God - for they are our instructions for living, an

EXAMPLE of how God wants us to live and not to live.

MAJESTIC BEAUTY of God's wondrous creation surrounds us - the mountains, sunrise and sunset, rainbow after a storm and much more.

BLESSINGS flow from above when we are on with Him. We must run the race set before us with

ENDURANCE. God enables us to continue on, to

ENDURE, to

RESIST the Devil. We are

RENEWED daily when we seek God's will, look to Him.

Cast ALL our BURDENS upon Him and He will give us REST.

It's autumn, but summer days are here

It's autumn and the leaves are changing colors. How beautiful is God's creation. Here in Iowa we're in Indian Summer - temperatures in the 70s and 80s. And how sweet it is. Soon though, these summer days/daze will be gone and winter will be creeping in. It will still be beautiful. Just cold. Brrrrrrr!!