As the deer pants for streams of water so my sould pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?
-Psalms 42:1-2

I spent the last couple of days back at home with my parents.  I always like to go home sometime around the first part of hunting season and stalk the big one.  This time I took our youngest child, Anna Grace along, and she had a chance to spend some good time with Nanny and Papa while our other two where in school.  Abbie and Caleb were not too happy because they wanted to go as well, but school had to be the priority.

Over the years, I have come to understand that the hunting trip isn't really about the deer but the pursuit.  I enjoy riding, looking and even getting out and walking while hunting in addition to sometimes sitting in a deer stand. It is great to get out into the woods and smell the clean air.  The anticipation of seeing the BIG ONE is always exhilarating and enough to keep us going on just a couple of hours sleep.

Talking about hunting, it is amazing how much money, time and effort is spent this time of year in preparing for the hunting season and then executing the trips. What it would be if we would pursue our Heavenly Father with the same tenacity.

Lord, I thank you for the time away.  As always for me, I enjoy the hunting and seeing family, but what I really enjoy is the quiet times that lead me to hear the voice of the Father as I pursue HIM.

Well the Brock's are back safe and sound after a relaxing vacation! What was not relaxing was the prep for and the clean up after. One person told me after getting back, "her family always need a vacation after the vacation just to recover!" It is good to visit other places around the world and be reminded of how blessed we are to live in the United States of America. I was belly aching several weeks ago about gas prices. While on vacation, I was in a place where gas was pushing $7 a gallon. WHEW!!! Talk about needing relief at the pump! It was great to get back and drive into Lady Lake this morning and see gas at $1.95.

On another note:
Now that the Presidential election is over, may we pray for Barak Obama as he takes office in January. He was not my choice, but he will be my President and yours, too. I ask that you commit to pray along with me for him and his family as he leads our country during his term in office. Not only pray for our President, but also others in elected and appointed positions around our country that are involved in decision making. These are critical days in the history of America. YOUR PRAYER COUNTS!!

What is truth? Is there a way to know what is true and what is not? Is there absolute truth; the kind of truth that is always true no matter what the situation? The Bible says in Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect." Even those God has chosen to live with Him for eternity will be deceived by false prophets. That is a scary thought!

Today while doing some research on the internet, I was taken back by the number of people who seem to be well-known Christ followers who are fighting with each other over items of Biblical truth. I was afraid because I found myself being swayed in both directions and it brought to my mind Mark 12:14 which says, "They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.'" I want to not be swayed by anything that any man or woman says just because they have a good reputation with a certain group of people. I want to be able to speak truth and recognize truth at all times and in all situations because I KNOW the way of God in accordance with HIS truth.

James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I have concluded today, that if I am being swayed or do not know the truth in accordance to what God has to say about any situation or topic, it is because I have not taken the time to ask God for wisdom and search out His Word for the answer. I will not be tossed this way and that way like the waves in the ocean, but I will stand firm because I will know truth. I will make God's Word the priority it should be and trust that the power of the Holy Spirit in me will give me the answer. I know that this will be pleasing to my Lord.

So today, I am committing to read through the entire Bible cover to cover by December 31st, 2009 so that I will KNOW my Lord and His will for my life in all things. Then when I am confronted with different opinions, I can know that I have done everything I can to know what the truth is. Are you being swayed? Is your theology based solely on what your pastor teaches you, what you hear on talk radio, or what is said in the latest best seller by your favorite "Christian" author? If so, take this challenge with me. Let us know our God so intimately that we can say with the Psalmist:

1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.


-Brian