It's snowing somewhere, but not here.

Everybody out here in the Pacific knows what snow is. It's like you who are back in our home knowing what the tropics are like, or either of us knowing about a desert. Though my neighbors here understand snow, it's never been seen in these parts. Sometimes I'm struck with the oddity of seeing pictures of my Virginia home covered with ice and snow, while Kathy and I are trying to decide whether to turn the AC on or get by for a while with the windows open. A friend from upstate New York commented on the oddity in reverse. They are covered in white and dealing with low temperatures. She watched a video that one of our colleagues posted. She couldn't help but notice that most of the folk in the video were wearing flip-flops. While we greatly enjoy the ease with which we can communicate around the world, there is an unavoidable dissonance. When I call someone back in the mainland, do I say "Good morning," because it is morning, here, or "Good evening," because it is yesterday evening there? It's no big deal. I'm just glad to be able to talk to a friend or loved one. Let me indulge in a moment of speculation. l don't think there will be time zones in heaven. There will be no need to the sun for light. The presence of the Lord will light the heavenly city. Since He is omnipresent, I figure there won't be any time zones. Like I say, it's just speculation, but it is going to be good. It's STTA.

Discipleship--Not A Sure Thing

I was up well before the chickens this morning.I picked up a friend at the airport. He traveled here, to Guam to attend our Ministry Equipping Conference. This year's conference is on disciple-making. My friend has been involved in working with others, especially teens, encouraging them to follow the Lord. Working with people isn't like working with clay. We people aren't nearly as moldable. Nor are we like concrete or plaster. If you can manage to get concrete into the right shape for a few hours, it will hold that form for many years. No, when God created us, He gave us a will. If we exercised our bodies as much as we do our wills, we'd be in much better shape. My friend is broken-hearted. Some of those with whom he has been working have chosen another path. My friend isn't the first to face this problem. The Apostle Paul experienced the same sadness as my friend when he commented to Timothy, "Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me" (2 Timothy 4:10). When Jesus asked Peter and the others, "You do not want to go too, do you?" it was an acknowledgment that they could turn away if they chose to. Following the Great Commission of our Lord, is not like cutting out Jesus-followers with a disciple cookie-cutter. It's more like wrestling or trying to get somewhere in a small boat in the midst of a big storm. The outcome, from where we sit, isn't clear. If I start passing on what God has given me to another, do I have any guarantee that they will turn out right? No, absolutely not. But there is likely someone in my sphere of influence whom I can influence. Maybe I'm the only one who can. If I don't teach them, pray with them, do life with them, and encourage them to follow the Lord, then for sure they won't. My friend will be around a few days. I'll probably quote Galatians 6:9 to him. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." It's STTA.