Sacrifice

While doing some interesting studies at church recently, we covered a very interesting topic. The topic of sacrifice came up. We all make sacrifices in our lives, some more than others of course, for various reasons. We all make sacrifices in everyday lives. They sometimes involve family, friends, work, and any number of other things.

However, one example that was stated in the Bible absolutely boggles my mind. Before you assume that it's the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for us, that one is too easy and obvious. We all know the verse and the song that states "No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die." However, in the book of Romans, the apostle Paul takes even this verse so far to the extreme, that for me, what he says is so far out there, that it's simply unimaginable. In Romans 9:1-3 Paul states the following: "I tell the truth in Christ, I a not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my bretheren, my countrymen according to the flesh."

Wow...think about that for a second. Paul is saying that he would sacrifice his own soul, and go to Hell, just so that the very people who persecuted him could have the opportunity to know the glory of God. I don't know about you, but to me, that is absolutely unfathomable. To be willing to sacrifice ones own soul so that others may know Christ is an amazing statement. It definitely opens your eyes to just how awesome and glorious being with Christ can and will be. And when you think about it, Paul only really knew Christ's glory while He (the Lord) was on Earth, so Paul himself probably didn't know just how awesome Heaven is. Yes, he may have known through some sort of divine intervention and knowledge, but really...think about it. He knew just how great Christ and Heaven are and he was willing to spend an eternity in Hell just so those who didn't have his knowledge and wisdom could experience it.

Paul's love and compassion for his fellow man simply cannot be questioned. I like to think of myself as a pretty nice and loving guy. I try my very best to have love and compassion for everyone, especially those who are less fortunate than I am. But man, would I be willing to ask the Lord to send me to Hell so that someone else could know His glory? I honestly can't say that I would. I don't think that that makes me a terrible person, not by any means. It does show me that no matter how much love and compassion that we have for people, that more than likely, there is more that we can do. There are more opportunities out there. There are more souls to be led to Christ. More lives to change.

Just some food for thought. I hope and pray that you are all doing well.

~God Bless~
Greg

It's Almost Over....I think

My latest round of medical procedures went well. I had the stent removed from my liver on January 2nd and then on the 8th, I had a biopsy done of my liver. Both were outpatient procedures and I went back to work the next day. After having the biopsy, I probably should have taken a day off, but I didn't. That one hurt. I was in some pretty good pain for a few days after that but it has tapered off.

I went back to the doctor last Thursday and he said the results of the biopsy looked good. Now, I have to go back in March for some more bloodwork and hopefully then, my last doctors visit and then all of this will be behind me.

Now onto fun and important things! I have three weeks worth of vacation to use before the end of May. One week in May I am going to Colorado but I really don't know what to do with the other two weeks. I am thinking about using one of the weeks and going somewhere fun and the last week, just use one and two days here and there and create myself some long weekends. We'll see. Anyway, if you have any ideas on somewhere I should go, let me know. I would prefer something relatively inexpensive, but fun. I am open to suggestions, so give me some ideas on things you have done that you enjoyed. I may even do the 4 day cruise thing if I can find someone to go with me.

Other than that, not a lot is really going on. Now that Christmas is over I am able to relax some at work, and will start to do some more in depth training and learning new things.

Man I just realized...Sarah is going to be 5 in less than a month! Seems like only yesterday I was holding this beautiful little one month old girl in my arms...time sure flies doesn't it?

Anyway, I hope that you all are doing well, staying healthy and blessed. And remember, if you get pulled over doing 53 in a 35....claim dyslexia!

~God Bless~

"Reach for the stars because even if you fail at your attempt, you may land amongst the clouds" :-)