In our neck of the woods we are having mixed weather – still cold, but mixed.  Yesterday the sun shone brightly and while it didn’t do much for warming things up, it was a spirit lifter.

Today, no sun, but at 1030 it is already a couple degrees warmer than yesterday.

We are expecting freezing rain today, tonight and tomorrow.  How much seems to vary with forecasters – and it changes almost hourly.  Those that are deep within the Gorge – basically from just west of Mosier, through Hood River, Cascade Locks and Multnomah Falls and even into Troutdale, although it tapers off a bit as it gets there – are in for some heavy freezing rain, it could be well over an inch, depending on location.

I am thankful that neither Deed nor Teresa is working at Bonneville Dam any longer - that is the very epicenter of the Gorge’s ferocious weather.  Not only working around it, but driving to and from work is very hazardous.

Deed still has to drive for an hour and a half in good weather to get to work (and back home) every work day, and it is still a hazard in this weather, but at least she doesn’t have to brave the center of the challenges of the Gorge any longer.

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"Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still" is a wise and healing counsel, but how can it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the radio and the television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to devour us all. What was intended to be a blessing has become a positive curse. No spot is now safe from the world's intrusion.”  AW Tozer

Mathew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Many times the devotions I subscribe to have a common theme, other times, like today, they do not – yet all of them touched my heart and made me realize how important it is to be close to God.

This particular theme has been brought to my attention several times in the past few days, which, since I don’t believe in coincidences, has to mean God is concerned with my lack of setting aside more time with Him.

Several years ago I began writing these almost daily tombs at the request of one of my children to help her come up with a personal daily calendar which would have a different thought for each day; thoughts that came from Dad and other people she knows. 

I then started sending it to all my children as a reminder that I think of and pray for them, and their families, daily.  It went from there to sharing it with many friends via e-mail and from there, Facebook.

As I have told my friends I know that they might not have the time to always read these, and I understand, they also know that they can request removal from the daily e-mails.

I write to help me think of and meditate on God’s Word.  What I write is what I am struggling with in my own life – if it has meaning for others that is good and several have commented on how it does help them.

So, I continue to put it out there.

I understand that many who read these lead very busy lives.  My children – as well as most of those that read these - work, raise their families, have various responsibilities and their schedule is full of activities.

As was mine when they were growing up.

I know it is difficult to set aside a specific time in our day to spend time with God.  I know that it is difficult to get away from not only the responsibilities but all the noise of modern society, it is even greater now than in Tozer’s time.

Still, as Jesus found that solitude, that time separated from everyone in the presence of God, and extremely important - so too must I.

As a retired person, my days are not as filled.  With the health challenges I have had these past few years, my time away from the house has grown less – thus I do have more time to be with God.  AND He expects me to spend more time with Him.

There is no guideline that says you have to spend X amount of time with Him.  For some a few minutes, worked into a busy schedule, may be enough – for now.

For others who have more flexibility, to fully appreciate, understand and grow closer to Him, He expects us to spend more time with Him. 

I find that if I cut back on that time, I am not fulfilled, I know that I need a ‘stronger dose of His medicine’ – the Holy Spirit - and it only comes with dedicated time which includes reading His word and being by myself meditating on it, praying and listening.

During the day, for all of us, there are lots of times we can just praise Him, thank Him, recognize that He is there with us – we can pray without ceasing by remembering everything we do has been given us by God and say a brief thank you when things go well, and ask for guidance when things are more difficult.

But those times are not the same as setting a side time – maybe even writing it in on our scheduling calendar – to simply sit with and talking with Him.

But even with a daily meeting with God we still need to be able to get away, away from ALL distractions, even if but for a few hours and just ‘be’ with Him.  How often that is between myself and God, but it must be done.

I need to thank God for the extra time He has given me to be closer to Him; and I can only do that by taking advantage of that time.  It is a gift.

Later, Art (-: