![\"DSCN6933\"](\"https:\/\/afriendoftheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSCN6933.jpg\")
<\/a>Making new Friends<\/p><\/div>\n
This time of the year and this day of the year are excellent for pondering<\/a> one\u2019s life, and especially the years — the passing of time. My wife and I have each remarked that 2014 was the fastest passing year of our lives. With technology and communication being what they are, there is no reason to expect time to slow down going forward! Unless, unless we make a quality, personal decision to make it so, and then take some necessary action!<\/p>\n Reconnecting with Old Friends<\/p><\/div>\n Quickly said, our times are against us in the matter of enjoying our lives and making the most of them. We\u2019re at each and every turn confronted with images, voices, talking heads, technology to use, learn, and play with, and the list goes on, growing larger seemingly by the day. What\u2019s a person to do?<\/p>\n \u201cDraw near to God and He will draw near to you.\u201d That\u2019s what I hear in the Spirit when I ask that question.<\/p>\n I want my life to count for something — for something bigger than me, and for something eternal.<\/p>\n When I look around it seems as if the kingdom might be loosing ground? At least in our time and place.<\/p>\n Enjoying Life with Present Friends<\/p><\/div>\n But then I reflect on Abraham (2000 B.C.), David (1000 B.C.), Daniel (600 B.C.), Esther (470 B.C.), Paul and Peter (30-70 A.D.), and I realize the kingdom is never losing ground — only we, perhaps are loosing ground!<\/p>\n \u201cIn the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.<\/i>\u201d (Daniel 2:44)<\/p>\n I reflect from time to time about writing another book (only if the Spirit leads of course. :)) I might title it, \u201cThe Laugh of the King!<\/i>\u201d from Psalm 2.<\/p>\n Peanuts Cartoon appearing while our home group studied the Book of \u00a0Job \ud83d\ude42<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWhy are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, …!\u201d He who sits in the heavens laughs, ….<\/i>\u201d (Psalm 2:1\u20134)<\/p>\n So what can you do to overcome your flesh and the distractions of our complex times? Seek a relationship with the King and the King\u2019s people — His followers, His disciples, His Bride, His Church. These relationships are all you can take with you! Not possessions which will end up in the trash heap or burning up. People are eternal. Sow your life into relationships, into people. They are eternal.\u00a0 Their hearts, and lives, and character, and love are all that will make it to the other side.<\/p>\n Family Vacation and Significant Birthday Celebration<\/p><\/div>\n Someone has said, \u201cIn the end all that will matter is who you loved and who loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n So for me it\u2019s: [1] Read the Bible daily. [2] Talk to God, listen, mediate, ( spelled \u201cpray\u201d) daily, and occasionally journal impressions that come\u00a0during these times. [3] Seek out and get to know others who are passionate about Jesus and want to know Him better. [4] Doing these things\u00a0\u00a0helps me keep the trappings of our culture and times from stealing my attention, my affections, and my time — my life.<\/p>\n Cousins at Family Dutch Oven Dinner<\/p><\/div>\n By doing these things, perhaps something of my life will count for others, for the King, for something bigger than myself, and for something eternal?<\/p>\n I look to Him who loved me and called me; and I trust Him to make it so! The Lord is my Shepherd, He leads….<\/p>\n Slowing to the Speed of Life 2014<\/p><\/div>\n May you have a great and prosperous new year in 2015, as your soul prospers.<\/p>\n Dwayne<\/p>\n OBTW, Short term mission trips are another way to get your mind and heart on the bigger world and greater good, serving others and seeing what God is doing in other cultures. It is perspective changing, paradigm changing, and life changing.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a win\/win situation, but those who go and serve get more from the experience than those who are served. \ud83d\ude42 Our Lord Jesus said it this way, \u201cIt\u2019s more blessed to give than to receive.\u201d And of course everything He said is true.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>