It is smoky in our neck of the woods – I know what is new?  However, it wasn’t too bad this morning, but, we went from a moderate to an unhealthy Air Quality in a matter of minutes with the shift in the wind to west winds.  The only area with even worse conditions in Oregon and Washington is Yakima by a few points.

Even Carla had to give it up outside, just too rough.

Speaking of Carla, she is celebrating her 20^th year anniversary with Joanne Fabric this month.  As I expected there is no quit in her and she figures to be there at least one more year with the company celebrates its 75 year anniversary next year.

They recognize each 5 year anniversary of their employees.  This time, as usual, they offered several different items, one to be selected by the employee for her service.  The longer they are there the more expensive and larger the selection.

They have personal jewelry, clocks, paintings and small appliances.  She chose one of the small appliances; we just received it, along with a pin, in the mail.

We had been thinking of buying one, but hadn’t gotten around to it.

She is already thinking of her 25^th anniversary.....

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Romans 13:12 KJV “ The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. “

“The absence of spiritual devotion today is an omen and a portent. The modern church is all but contemptuous of the sober virtues— meekness, modesty, humility, quietness, obedience, self effacement, patience. To be accepted now, religion must be in the popular mood. Consequently, much religious activity reeks with pride, display, self-assertion, self-promotion, love of gain and devotion to trivial pleasures.

It is time for Bible-believing Christians to begin to cultivate the sober graces and to live among men like sons of God and heirs of the ages. And this will take more than a bit of doing, for the whole world and a large part of the church is set to prevent it. But if God be for us, who can be against us.”  Tozer

American Christians are just too comfortable in their spiritual life.  They do not challenge themselves and often take easier routes rather than standing their ground for Christ.

I include myself in that category. 

We need to take seriously God’s Word.

We need to take seriously the teachings of Christ.

We need to take seriously our life and responsibility as a Christian.

Because we have chosen comfort instead of trials (even small ones,) because we have fallen into the trap of making ourselves look too much like everyone else in the world, our testimony is tainted.

Seemingly we have nothing to offer the sinner they cannot find in the world, so why should they listen to us at all.

The world is not all that much different than it was 2000 years ago.  However, if it were not for the solid witnessing and staunch teachings of the early church, we would be lost in the world.

Let us not forget that they suffered taunting, humiliation, beatings, torture and even violent death for their stands for Christ.

And, thus far, we have only experienced a small part of what they did, and all too frequently we feel put upon and sorry for ourselves.

We need to realize our generation, no matter our age, needs to do more to spread the Gospel of Christ.  We do not want to have the charge that we laid down to the world and let God down, to be laid at our feet.

We are the believers in Christ and His Word and we should make our actions show that.

Each of us has a mission, we just need to confirm it with the Holy Spirit and do it.

Later, Art (-: