do you ever get jealous...

there's so many things here on this earth that i don't understand. in his creative plan, God brought one of his servants home. a young man was killed earlier this week in india. he had flown there with a group of others from here in america to go to this distant land that is full of a harvest needing workers. this team of believers responded in obedience to the command to go and make disciples of all nations.

so why would God bring him home? it's hard to find reasons why a perfectly healthy young man, in the middle of his work for the Lord would leave this earth. in hebrews 11, it talks about the nation of israel that lived and died before the fulfillment of scripture through Christ's coming to the earth. they acted in faith, "saw it from a distance and welcomed the promises of God." they were obedient because they were looking forward to "a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them."

justin's life is a challenge to all of us. when we respond in obedience, God is not ashamed to be called our God. when we respond in obedience, he prepares a heavenly homeland for us. do you ever get jealous of those that are already there? i know that this earth is not my home. i want to respond in obedience, so i can join those who have gone before me. i want to sit in the presence of my king. i get a little jealous sometimes...

rocky

"isn't it weird how just a little puppy can add so much pleasure to someone's life?" my dad and i were just watching rocky play around with his new little chew toy, and he topples off the porch and rolls over his big belly, giving us a good laugh. he barks and tries to get back up, but the step is just a little too high for him to jump up.

rocky was "rescued" from under a car by my dad's office. he was just wandering around without his mother's supervision, and at only 6-7 weeks old, we figured he needed a little TLC. he had fleas, worms and this weird parasite that he got a shot for at the vet. but now he's flea-free and ready to cuddle!

i had been wanting a puppy, but just didn't want to shell out the big bucks. you know how when you want something, you start seeing it everywhere? i was thinking about how i wanted a puppy a couple weeks ago as i was sitting on my front porch, and i swear, like 30 people starting walking their dogs right then. haha! it was so funny!

so rocky's a little blue heeler. apparently they are very loyal to their owners. they like to herd things, including people. they're very smart dogs and protective of their owners. they are very active dogs and love to go for long walks on the beach. haha. he's pretty mellow and gets really shy in public places, and when he falls asleep in my lap, he's just the cutest thing ever!

it is weird how just a little puppy can add so much pleasure to my life!