eternal beings

 

It occurred to me yesterday that we should not be strangers to each other.  After all, each of us has a common destiny.  No matter what our background or our place in this life we all, one day, will stand before the one true God.  We all were built for eternity.  We all walk through the seasons of life here on the planet.  We all face the problems that come with that life...

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We should not be...we must not be strangers to each other.  In a sense we are travelers together in this train car of time.  And time passes like miles flying outside our train window as we all head to our eternal destiny.

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We must not be strangers to each other.

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Perhaps, as we interact with each other...even in common daily ways...we can remember our ultimate futures and perhaps we can see each other with greater love and depth and care.  Perhaps we can surprise others by showing more interest than is commonly expected. 

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Perhaps we can reduce the number of strangers around us now so that we'll recognize more friends in eternity one day!

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Matthew 25:38

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

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blessings, friends!

Rob Smith

uphill both ways

  I like to jog a backwoods road because it is away from traffic and buried in nature.  Also, it is heavily shaded and that makes a big difference on a hot afternoon.  The biggest challenge, though, is that the way out on this run is pretty much all uphill after the first half mile.  I can feel my breathing becoming labored as the trail progresses and I just hope I can keep going till the end of the climb.  But I realized yesterday that much of the way back also seemed uphill to me!  Some of the flatter stretches on the way out now seemed decidedly like climbs when I was tired.  "Both ways uphill"...reminded me of jokes about older generations walking to school on that kind of road! 

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Life can seem this way sometimes...both ways uphill.  Sometimes you seem to climb one hill only to find another one and every turn you make leads to another hill to climb.  But then you are reminded of a few other realities:  The view around you is beautiful and you are not alone.  Your creator is also your savior and helper and He is with you every step of the way.  And the challenge of the hills you climb is making a difference in your spiritual health and giving you the conditioning needed to make it all the way to the finish line.

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Hebrews 12:1,2 (part)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross... 

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blessings,

Rob Smith

From: Rob Smith

Good afternoon contact

 

 

http://solinfoservice.com/economy.php?cool=pxammyszxsfphqczq

 

 

 

 

 

contact
toanosmith@yahoo.com

Fw: weed by a gravel road

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Monday, August 3, 2015 7:36 AM
Subject: weed by a gravel road

There may be times when you feel as insignificant as a weed growing by a gravel road (picture attached).  You know you have a little color but you are stuck in one place and few pass by and fewer notice and you don't know if anyone cares.  Your fragile flower only comes out for a brief season and who will see?  I was encouraged this morning as I listened to the book of 1 John that God is the one who sees. 

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I thought about the apostle John and his fishing partners, James and Peter and Andrew.  They were like weeds growing by the roadside...actually they were common uneducated fishermen by the sea.  Jesus made a special point in selecting them and growing them to maturity.  It is amazing to consider the depth of insight that we hear from John after he walked with Jesus.  Their lives were transformed by being with Him and understanding that He is life itself.

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You may feel as insignificant or common as a weed by a roadside...or an unknown fishermen in a little known place...but the one who is life, itself, comes to you right where you are and offers life in all its fullness.  You are a weed intended for wonderful things!  And Jesus walks the gravel road where you are planted.

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1 John 1:2 (New Living Translation)

This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him...

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blessings,

Rob Smith 

Big world

  Dear Friends who have received my devotional thoughts:

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I'm about to experience something that will open up the world as a much bigger place.  In October I and several other friends are going to some pretty remote places in Africa to share the Gospel with Background Partners.  We will be using a "story telling" approach because we will be sharing with folks who are largely illiterate.  However, they are very comfortable and familiar with communicating through stories.  This reminds me of Jesus' use of parables and stories as a central part of His earthly ministry.  You all receive my devotional thoughts and so I wanted to ask for your prayer support and financial help too, if you feel led to. 

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The trip is scheduled for October 16-24 and we're going to Kenya.  The cost is about $2,600 and if you'd like to help you can do that one of two ways (gifts are tax deductible):

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Log on to www.bground.org/give and note my name and Kenya 15

or

Send a check made out to "Background Partners" and mail to my house (9381 Ottoway Ct.  Toano, VA  23168) and note Rob Smith Kenya 15 in the memo area. 

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I am trusting the Lord to help us really connect with a people very different in some ways....but very much in need of the same Gospel message that we have experienced!

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I am also trusting that the Lord will provide some exciting devotional thoughts along the way.

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I hope you will consider coming along for the trip with your prayers and support!

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We're hoping to be part of the following prophecy:

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Zephaniah 3:10

My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia will come to present their offerings.

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blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: Big God

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 1, 2015 11:13 AM
Subject: Big God

How big is your God?

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Does He fill your thoughts?

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Or do you bring Him in on occasional spots?

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How big is your God?

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Is He bigger than you?

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Or is He placed on a shelf with little to do?

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How big is your God?

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Does He fill your dreams?

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Or do you call Him up mainly for emergencies?

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How big is your God?

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Is He bigger than fears?

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Have you found Him to walk with you...year after year?

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How big is your God?

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Do you run to His side?

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And have you discovered Him living inside?

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His Son is the door that we must pass through...

The Big God is ready to fill you...and you...and me too!

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Psalm 86:9-10

All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name.  For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.  You alone are God.