In my life, right now:

• Time has falling by the wayside - The contract that sent me to South Africa back in October ended near the end of December. During the following four weeks as I searched for another contract or job, I entered into a time of intense prayer, fasting and bible study. I am so thankful for that time so that God could realign my direction with His will. (There is no need to question that God provided for me.) Now, there are many times all throughout the day and night when I am trying to squeeze in time for prayer, solitude, worship and bible studying, I really miss the immense amount of time I had. I will forever be thankful to the One Most High for giving me that blessing.
• Time was not only restored but grew - God provided a job that puts me 5 minutes from my son and 10 minutes from my church. Every time I visit my son during the week, my visitation increased by two hours. Every time I want to go to church during the week, I am usually an hour early. That heaviness on my chest with always being late to see my son or not being able to participate in volunteer opportunities because of the mere whims of Dallas/Fort Worth traffic or my boss has left me and only peace fills that void.
• Time is there for the taking - In addition with the close proximation to all things that matter, my boss is hardcore. No, not the type of boss who makes you get to work early and stay late. He is hardcore about closing shop at 5PM sharp.

Now my question to the Lord: what do I do with all this time and to use it wisely? I am sure He will provide the answers in perfect time.

I worship You, Almighty God
There is none like You
I worship You, O Prince of Peace
That is what I want to do

I give You praise
For You are My righteousness

I worship You, Almighty God
There is none like You

Words and music by Sondra Corbett
© 1983 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
CCLI #146987

I perusing through the religious section of Downtown Fort Worth’s Barnes & Nobles and secretly giggling that Christianity and Eastern Religions are two separate categories.

But that is a topic for another post.

However, in my browsing, I came across this little gem.

I gleed and whoa-ed as I thumb through the pages.  Seeing the names of Avraham and Yeshua and the Books of Bamidbar and Tehilim were beauty before my eyes.  Best of all, there is no pause between the Old and New Testament.

This has to be mine.

Alas, the $34.99 was just outside my purchasing power.

It will be mine.  Oh yes, it will be mine!

Terrific article I found at one of my favorite sites, ThinkSimpleNow.com:

“… so why then is it that when we cross paths with a stranger or casual acquaintance in the elevator, we give them a fake smile? That ‘polite smile’. You know what I’m talking about (don’t get me wrong, I do this too, unconscious at grocery stores, on streets, while waiting for something.).

The lesson? Smile with your eyes! Feel it genuinely and it will come out naturally.”

Even after being a bit self-conscience about my smile, sometime ago I just started genuinely smiling at strangers all over.

I never consider myself a power-hungry megalomaniac. But I believe I tasted pure power in changing people around me with smiling. With smiling, 9.9 times out of 10, I will get the absolute warmest responses in return.

What I then realize that I am taking a slight glance at the kingdom of God.

It is very addictive feeling.

I wanted to blog this so that I can remember it later on.

Leviticus 19:33-34  ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.