A Fresh Start

     As you can see, I have changed the look of my blog.  It's time for a change.  I was just playing around with the settings and found this color scheme.  It made me happy, and it matched my butterfly, so here it is.  Nothing else has changed, really.  My welcome statement should change only to say that it has now been thirty years since I met Jesus.  Otherwise, the new look is basically some spring cleaning and fresh decorations.  I hope you like it.
     Today is the first day of my summer vacation.  It is perfect.  The breeze is blowing in some rain, so I am sitting in my favorite spot on my back porch.  

     As the clouds gather in, the birds get more active.  They are flying around and looking for food, singing loudly.  Jack has gone inside to his pillow and is curled up for a long nap.  And here I am enjoying the day.
     I came across the most interesting statement in my Bible this morning.  I've always loved the rain, sitting on the porch and feeling the breeze rush over me, watching the clouds gather and form into a summer shower or a full-blown storm.  I think I feel the presence of God more in times like that.  In Exodus, while God was giving Moses the commandments, the people of Israel were seeing and hearing what was happening.  God had covered the mountain with a thick cloud.  His glory was just too much for them.  They stood below listening to the thunder and watching the lightening flash.  They heard the trumpet and saw the smoke....and they were afraid.  So, they said to Moses, YOU tell us what's going on, don't let God speak to us so we don't die.  
     Then, these words:  "The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was." I WANT TO GO WHERE GOD IS!  I don't want to be the one standing far off while you and everyone else goes where God is.  I don't want to miss out on what God is doing or even refuse to listen to him on a personal level.  In the words of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."
I am going to listen intently to know what God is telling me.  I am going to move and go where he is.  It's more than spring cleaning and freshening up, it's a purposeful walk so as not to miss out on the things God has planned for me.  
     The rain cloud you see in the picture above just passed over. With it a brief shower and stronger wind.  Behind it?  Clear blue sky and sunshine.
     What about you?  Are you interested in listening to God or are you just waiting for someone else to tell you what they know about him?  Have you missed out on a wonderful opportunity to serve because you didn't want to enter the cloud?   Have you been there, totally in awe of his glory?  Will you leave a comment and let us know how you have met with God and seen his glory?  It's time to start Living Transformed.