May 28, 2018

3:27 a.m.

“Be a writer,” they said.

“It’ll be fun!” they said.

“Are we having fun yet?”

Maybe, “they” are.

* * * * * *

Wednesday night a young man asked me to give him piano lessons. He wants to play like I play. I asked him if he was willing to practice 2 hours a day. I thought that would discourage him. He said he would. Then he found out I live in another town. Taking lessons would not be convenient.

Funny, the most worthwhile endeavors are never convenient. My piano teacher, and parents, believed learning the piano was worthwhile. But we didn’t own a piano. They made arrangements for me to practice at our church – 10 blocks from home.

Every day I walked 5 blocks home from school. Then walked back 10 blocks to the church – in every kind of weather. I practiced for 2 hours and then came home. After supper, I did my homework.

What he heard cannot be taught. It comes from decades of playing at every service. After church today, most went home, sat down, and rested. I was at the Nursing Home Service playing the piano. Obedience will cost you.

Hebrews 5:8, “Though He was God’s son, He learned trusting obedience by what He suffered, just as we do.” The Message

Jesus came to earth and fulfilled all the prophecies. All of them. I endeavor to use all the gifts God gave me. Some gifts burn inside me. That is why I continued practicing even after doctors said, “Stay home and avoid allergens.”

Writing is the same. The words form in my mind and loop around until I write them down. It’s rarely convenient!

Hebrews 4:14-17, “Now that we know what we have – Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God – let’s not let it slip through our fingers. (15) We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. (16) He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all – all but the sin. (17) So let’s walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” The Message

I was not alone this afternoon. There were 7 others who came to the Nursing Home Service. We sang, visited, laughed, learned, and prayed with the residents. The new-to-me hymns were a hit! They sang with such gusto that the activities director, in her office, applauded. It’s a privilege to serve with those 7.

Hebrews 3:12-14, “So watch your step, friends. Make sure there is no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. (13) For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes! (14) If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.” The Message

I’m sure they were all looking forward to going home, sitting down, and resting. (I took a long nap.)

Hebrews 4:1, “For as long, then, as that promise of resting in Him pulls us on to God’s goal for us, we need to be careful that we’re not disqualified.” The Message

* * * * * * *

Hebrews 4:5-7, “…’They’ll never be able to sit down and rest.’ (6) So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. (7) God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today,…” The Message

God renews the promise every day. We don’t need to start over. We just go to Jesus, take the mercy, and accept His help.

Hebrews 5:11, “I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening.” The Message

* * * * * * *

Hebrews 6:1, “So come on, let’s leave the preschool finger painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ.” The Message

* * * * * * *

Hebrews 6:15, “Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him.” The Message

* * * * * * *

Proverbs 3:24, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” New International Version.

4:50 a.m. I’m going back to bed!

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