It is so vital to have an identity! A social, a family one! but the greatest of all, an identity as children of God and His faithful believers and disciples!
As I have sometimes said in the past we are a group of friends who know each other from childhood but now dispersed through all corners of the world, who try to encourage one another even if we know that in all probability we will never get together again in a particular and material spot on this earth.
Back in November 2004 and after 50 years from our High School graduation at La Salle school in Managua, we tried our best to get together and celebrate, and then left again to go to the faraway places where the Lord will keep us until He calls us to rest in His arms
But spirit is stronger than flesh! Friendship purer than adverse circumstances and disappointments!
Family and moral values overcome obstacles, hardships, distance or loneliness! Higher standards of behavior and living NOT resigning!
This time, the starting message for the year is the most appropriate one for all of us who long for a happier future as we fondly remember our happier memories of years past.
As you are now my, and in me, the bigger family of new partners in this quest that the "world away from God" calls the “impossible dream”, I want to share the message
As you are now my, and in me, the bigger family of new partners in this quest that the "world away from God" calls the “impossible dream”, I want to share the message
START OVER
When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...Start over.
When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...Start over.
When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...Start over.
When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...Start over.
When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...Start over.
When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...Start over.
When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...Start over.
Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there ..............START OVER
by Woodrow Kroll of "Back to the Bible"
In an article where he cites its own poem, Kroll points out that prophet Jonah offers us a wonderful example of what we can achieve if we are given the opportunity to start again.
In an article where he cites its own poem, Kroll points out that prophet Jonah offers us a wonderful example of what we can achieve if we are given the opportunity to start again.
The book of Jonah has only 4 short chapters. In chapter 1 Jonas runs away from God. In Chapter 2 God saves Jonah through a big fish. In chapter 4 God saves the wicked inhabitants of Nineveh. But in order for this salvation to become a reality, God concedes Jonah a second opportunity.
It is for this reason that chapter 3 begins with: “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying…”
It is as Kroll so well states, God is the God of the second opportunity. If we make a big mistake as Jonah did, or Peter, the Apostle, and Jacob, the Patriarch, God does not tell us “with just one mistake you are out”. On the contrary, God tells us, it´s Okay. You were wrong. Repent, confess, face its consequences, get up, keep going on. in other words, it is not time to quit, it is time to start again.
Kroll is totally right. So the will of God in us becomes a reality, we have to grasp every new opportunity, giving all our expectations to Him, so we can start again. So! let´s not simply keep on sitting on our human wills, feelings and former decisions, as there is nothing else to do. Let´s start again.
It is for this reason that chapter 3 begins with: “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying…”
It is as Kroll so well states, God is the God of the second opportunity. If we make a big mistake as Jonah did, or Peter, the Apostle, and Jacob, the Patriarch, God does not tell us “with just one mistake you are out”. On the contrary, God tells us, it´s Okay. You were wrong. Repent, confess, face its consequences, get up, keep going on. in other words, it is not time to quit, it is time to start again.
Kroll is totally right. So the will of God in us becomes a reality, we have to grasp every new opportunity, giving all our expectations to Him, so we can start again. So! let´s not simply keep on sitting on our human wills, feelings and former decisions, as there is nothing else to do. Let´s start again.
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