I'll say it right up front --I'm lonely. Intensely lonely. My minimal relief from this is "Words with Friends". (Ask soembody with a smart phone what this is ...scrabble) Thanks Griselle and Mike Coffman and Jon Duey and whoever that random opponent is out there in cyber space who's playing with me. Just to know I have contact in this impersonal way seems very important. How weird is that?
Being "alone" and being "lonely" are world's apart. The few residents here are tight-lipped and distant. I'm a strangerinvading their space. I tried to start a simple conversation with the retired man a few doors down and it was like talking to one of the coconuts out in the yard ...nothing. What good is "paradise" if you can't share it with others?
I walk 6 miles a day in 85 degree weather with a gentle western breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico ... perfect! I can get up whenever I want but my Iowa schedule will not relinquish its hold on me...5:30 am I'm up and facing another day of being "alone". I'm glad Griselle remembered to pack the Tylenol PM so I can get to sleep by 10 pm. This "paradise" is not what I expected. I still don't know what is supposed to happen in me but I know I eventually will ...in God's timing.
How people without Jesus Christ and His church body make it through the day ... I'll never know. I miss my wife and all my friends. I miss my Iron Men, the elders, our staff, the Sunday morning gaterhing.
Thanks for checking in with me. Thanks to those of you who have left comments. I would like to respond but I don't know if my replies will be published. When I find out how I can respond to you in private, I will. For now just know that I thank you for your correspondence.
Praying for ya John.
ReplyDeleteMarty "da" Brat
Pastor John you are in my thoughts and prayers! Thank you for your transparency and wisdom!
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteJack Daniel here Remember Mark 11-23-26 this is from memory have faith in GOD for assuredly I say to you he who says to this mountain be removed, and be cast into the sea. And does not doubt in his heartit shall be granted to him so that when you pray beleive it will be given to you all that what you ask, and when you stand praying if you have anything against anyone forgive them so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your tresspasses
and if you don't neither will your Father in heaven forgive you
here is a little story I think you will like
There was a Lady that prayed everyday, she lived next to an athiest he allway's call here cray and stupid because he didn't beleive their is a GOD one day he heard her praying that she out of money and had no food in the house, so thought this his chance to prove it so he ran down to the store and bought some food and set them on her deck, then rang the door bell then ran and hid in the bushes when she came to door she was so happy that the Lord aswered her prayers. He jumped out of the bushes and said see I told you their is no GOD I bought those for you. She fell to the ground in awe, and prayed thank you Lord. he said your cray why do thank him. And she said I new the Lord would provide for me but I didn't realize he would make the Devil pay for them Halaluya""""" I hope maybe you like this story, and I hope it cheers you up our prayers are with you
That's really good Daniel. Thanks for stopping by friend.
Deleteyou are welcome, blog me any time see ya soon and GOD Bless you with all the wisdom you desire, and the understanding to bless others and bring them to christ for his Glory, and may his Glory shine in you and your family.
DeleteHi Pastor John
ReplyDeleteRemember, you are NEVER alone. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is always with us. Don't give up on those people where you are at. Sounds like maybe they are missing something in their life that only Jesus Christ can fill. And you are the one to lead them to the door?
God Bless you John
Sheila