One Pilgrim's Path

    Oh my!  I have just returned from a week vacation in Red River, New Mexico, and what a vacation!  I have driven through the mountains before, but this time, we went with some friends from church with some 4-wheelers... and we experienced the mountains up close.  It was wonderful... to be up in the mountains... in the center of God's awsome creation, with the smell of the pines and the Rocky Mountain streams all about... wow!  

    We went up one trail, on the last day of our vacation... this trail led us all the way to the top of a mountain to where there was a comunication tower... it was fantastic!  We had a 360 degree view at probably 11,000'... looking down a Questa and Taos, NM as well as a Molybdenim Mine... I had no choice but to stop and lead our small group of 4 in a prayer of worship and thanksgiving.

    Romans chapter one tells us that we can see God's presence in all of His creation... so that we are without excuse, that even if we haven't any other revelation given... we know that God is there through His creation.  Now, I can see Him even when I am at home in Oklahoma... in the stars... in the trees... in the animals, but... if there is any doubt, just go to the mountains!  I pity those who don't know Jesus... who miss the most wonderful times in this short life, because they don't have a Savior to worship at times like this.

    There is no "big bang", there is no "evolution", there is only God... and if there is any doubt... go to Red River, New Mexico... take a 4-wheeler up into the mountains... if you don't believe in Jesus after that... well, I'm sorry... I think that I'd have to say... you're just not paying attention.

    I watched a very pleasant movie once called "Return to Me."  I would highly recommend it.  In the movie, Carol O'Conner plays an old Italian man, and at one time, his grandaughter asks him how he's doing, to which the old man replies... "I'm very busy... I'm blessed with work."

    Last Tuesday, my company presented me with a "20 years of service" ring.  It's really quite a ring, and I'm very proud of it.  I can hardly imagine it... being at one company for 20 years... I hope for another 20.  Now, I'm not implying that a person should get complacient and fall into a rut... but, God has "blessed me with work", and I see nothing wrong with serving Him as I work.  Though it is true that, many times when folks get a little older like me, they kind of settle in to a place of comfort, but I believe that it is also good for us to recognize it when God is blessing us.

    The Lord has blessed me with a good job ( especially for someone with no more education that what I have ) and He has given me the ability to work and perform my duties.  I look around me, in my work-place... and in our culture in general... and I see more complaining and lack of pride in work than the appreciation of the blessings that we have in this country... the fact that we can go out and make a living... and keep most of what we have worked for.  Many that I work with complain about what we don't get... they bad-mouth our company and our employer... I just don't understand.

    The bible tells me to "work as unto the Lord."  To me, that means that my work is... not only worship... but it reflects upon me as a Christian... and it reflects upon my Lord.  It also tells me that I should take pride in my job everyday... to work to put an honest day's labor in for an honest day's pay... even if no one is watching... and even if no one notices... for it is unto the Lord Jesus Christ... everyday... all day long. 

    I praise the Lord... for "He has blessed me with work," and the health and ability to do it.