Rebecca's Journey - 54

Dear Friends,

I'm home, after nearly 3 weeks away. Annie, Kristina, and Rebecca Joosten took wonderful care of my Rebecca during my absence.

From Rebecca: "Often in this 21st century there are seasons of swirling change that can cause us to loose our orientation and not be sure how to proceed. I've been struck lately with how many places in Isaiah and the Psalms the Lord says: 'Come to Me and I will show you the way to go.'

This last month we've seen a lot of changes here in the house. Some of them have caused us to say, Lord, we don't know how to do this; show us the way. I'm once again reminded that He often orchestrates the changes in our lives to cause us to seek Him, and to know Him better.

In Mathew 11:28-30, Jesus said 'Come to Me when you're tired and over-burdened, and I will give you rest. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture because I've found, in difficult times of life, that I can come to Him and He will teach me how to proceed. What a wonderful Teacher!

We hear from many of you from a variety of locations around the world. Each of you is in a different place in your life - and yet our Teacher is the same. Some of you, when you received 'Rebecca's Journey', began a new journey yourself towards the Father.

In the verses before Matthew 28, Jesus is talking about His relationship with the Father - and He says that He will lead us to the Father. How blessed we are to be together on this journey to Him.

PS Many thanks to all of you who prayed for us while Paul was away. We truly got along so well. Rebecca Joosten was a great blessing. The four of us called ourselves "the Dream Team"."

Paul again. Rebecca has highlighted the deepest reality of life. And it is not a belief system or a life-style. It is a relationship. Jesus said clearly that we find life in knowing the Father and the One whom He sent. In all our challenges and joys, it isn't what we believe that stabilizes us. It isn't what we do - even in obedient acts. Our life and stability is in knowing and loving the Father. It is in a relationship with Him. How terrific that this is what He wants above all things - that we know and love Him. Faith and obedience flow out of this relationship.

May we know Him better every day.

Love from us both,

Paul