So it’s been awhile since I last put thoughts into words and words onto paper (er, screen) and published on this blog.  I believe the whole idea of blogging is to consistently be sharing thoughts that will inspire and would otherwise remain only in the head and heart of the blogger!  What did the world do before all of us thought we should share what’s on our minds!  Of course my wife has reminded me that if I share too much of what’s on mine, there won’t be anything left!  But, I digress.  Let’s see, what has happened since my last attempt to impart great words of wisdom.  The world has continued to see its share of disaster and destruction.  More terrorism, more natural disasters, more cataclysmic weather events.  There are many who rightfully believe we are living in what the Bible would refer to as the last days……and I would probably agree.  But blogging about such things is for others who are more highly trained and educated in prophecy and the like.  Of course the political landscape has continued to evolve without giving much more resolution to either party than there was in January.  But I’m not going to touch that with a 10 foot pole.  Again, so many blogs, so little time if you need to read up on that subject.  We’ve taken a trip since the last writing.  It was a good time to get away and be with some dear friends and family.  Much of it for a wedding on the west coast in San Diego which was a wonderful event, but then I’d also feel compelled to share about the last couple of days which were spent in Las Vegas.  And to be honest, I’m still trying to wrap my head around that whirlwind experience.  Needless to say, it was not what I was anticipating.  I think for the most part I walked around in a daze.  Not for the good or the bad of it – just maybe a bit overwhelmed.  Once I am able to debrief myself a little more on that experience, I am sure that it will find some space here.  Our church has also been in the midst of pursuing property on which to grow and expand our ministry and outreach.  But there is much to be done in that regard and patience may prove to be for a better and more definitive blog later.  We’ve had some Cinderella stories in sports – An upset win in Peyton Manning’s last game, and a last second jumper to propel Villanova to an NCAA championship.  But no more needs to be written about those unlikely feats.  So, let me share just a few words (what????? that was just an intro????)  Ahem – let me share just a few words about a couple of vitally important happenings since last we spoke!  The series conclusion of “Downton Abbey!”  Now, I must also admit to a strong desire to write about the SEASON conclusion for “The Walking Dead.”  But first – the Abbey! Now I know some of you are ready to take away my man card.  But hey, I have a wife and two daughters, so what was I supposed to do?  Actually, I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed this early 20th century epic series and would have easily gotten entangled in the web of its characters without their help. Here’s what blew me away……..nearly every evening we watched as the hour ended with more than one person on the edge of catastrophe.  Sickness, death, war, political uprising, crime, prison, love lost, backstabbing, class clashes, relationships strained, tears, fears, and jeers.  All of it and more!  Until the finale!  At that point – the authors gave us, or most of us, exactly what we wanted!  Every storyline wrapped up so nice you could put a bow on it!  Mary gets married, Edith is on her way down the aisle with the richest man alive.  Mrs. Crowley finds love, the grandkids are healthy, Mr. & Mrs. Bates are having a baby, Mr. Moelsley’s a teacher, Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes have gotten over their early marriage squabbles, Tom seems happy, Lord Grantham has survived a health scare and Lady Cora is the head of the hospital.  Even Barrow gets another chance at Downton and the Dowager seems comfortable in her new role.  It could not have ended any better!  How totally unrealistic!  Life doesn’t have happy endings like that – does it?  Well, here’s where my two cents on the end times comes into play!  Yes – there will be a day like that.  There will be a day of happy endings, of dreams becoming reality, of happiness being a feeling that doesn’t fade.  God’s Word promises it will be so.  In fact, listen to how Isaiah describes it in chapter 11 of his Old Testament writing.

“He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment. 6In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. 7The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow.  8The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. 9Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord!” 

Now a lot of this is written in a style that befits Isaiah’s day.  When the symbols of animals co-existing together, especially for Shepherds would have been quite more appealing than it may be right now.  But what this great prophet is offering is a happy ending.  And more than that – God is offering it to those who “know the Lord.”  It did kind of seem in the day of the Crawley’s that a lot of what happened was not based on what you knew – but WHO!  So, the question is…….do you know Him?   God so wants you know Him!  NOT know about Him…….know Him!  Relationship was the reason Jesus came – not religion.  And His desire is for that relationship to last right on into an eternity that will be filled with happy endings that never end!  Sounds like an awesome place to be – and I bet you don’t even have to wear a tux with tails to dinner!  I’ll try to keep my musings a little more consistent in the days ahead.  Blessings!