Eternity is a Long Time

  Shakespeare's 29th Sonnet - When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings. William Shakespeare’s 29th sonnet is a wonderfully concise picture of a person who is mournful about their situation and then realizes, probably not for the first time, that there is great joy in the Lord.   This was not what I expected when I first read the sonnet.  I had never considered Shakespeare to be religi...

What am I supposed to do with my life? What job should I be doing? Am I doing the right thing for my family, friends and me? These are all questions we have or have had throughout our lives. Sometimes we feel we have the answers, but most times those answers are elusive. We tend to try to do things first our way. Why not? We know ourselves better than anyone else does and we should be able to figure everything out. As most of us have found, that does not work so well over the long haul. As we become wiser, we look to others to give us hints or detailed advice. This can come from conversations with family, friends and associates or from lectures, books and videos. Some of that advice is excellent and some of it is terrible. The problem is, how do you know what is exactly right for you? Who can you talk to who knows you so well their advice is never wrong for you and is perfect for the future? How about God? He not only wrote a book; He also wants you to converse with Him. On top...

 When life's road hits some rough spots, when the going gets a bit tough, we are tempted to try and transact business with God. We try and bargain with the Creator to get what we want. We might say things like: "God, if you'll get me out of this situation, I'll read my Bible every day!" or "God, if you'll open this door of opportunity for me, I'll never cuss again." Really? Do we really think we can get God to do things for us this superficially?  Yes, we do think this way. I know I do - at least for a few seconds before I figuratively slap myself in the head and get my act together. This doesn't mean there haven't been many who fervently prayed for something and included a commitment on their part to act better in relation to God. The difference is the depth of our relationship with him. God wants us to seek Him with our whole heart, not trying to make bargains we know we won't keep. However, if we do seek Him with all of our heart t...