Growing Through Challenge - My Last Words To You?

                          MY LAST WORDS TO YOU?

Tomorrow I am scheduled to undergo heart surgery.   I expect everything to be well, but the idea of my mortality got me to thinking…

“If I knew that what I was writing would be my last article to humanity, what would it be about?”

Within this website, I have already shared with you most of the things I wanted to say. Some are found in my “Brochure” section… some in my “Workbook”… others are found in the “Just Listening” section, as I gave glimpses into my thirty-plus years of personal journal entries.

But if I knew I could only write one last message to you… what would it be?

I have prayed, thought and deliberated much about this… until the following idea finally came:

My life experience has perhaps been different than many who may read my writings. Many people around our globe may give an Infinite Creator God a passing thought occasionally… but basically live like they can handle “LIFE” on their own. I certainly respect anyone’s right to that world-view.

On the other hand, for some reason, from my earliest memories I have always had an overpowering sense that in order to live this brief earthly existence properly, and then move on into eternity… I NEEDED GOD’S PRESENCE AND HELP.

I have lived a rich, eventful and full life that way for over six decades now. Should my temporary earthly existence end on an operating table this week, I can honestly say that I move on into the Grand Eternal Adventure with no fears and great anticipation.

I have read the writings of atheists, agnostics, as well as the writings from many of the world’s various religions and philosophies. Nothing however, has ever shaken my overriding central belief that I do now, and always have, needed a SUPREME CREATOR GOD… a GOD like Jesus Christ taught us, that we had the high privilege of addressing as “Our Heavenly Father”.

                               SELF-IMPROVEMENT

If you read very much of this website, you will notice I have written a lot of things to help you examine and improve the various areas of your life and relationships through this earthly journey. For example, since my “Workbook” was written for a secular, corporate audience, I only occasionally alluded to one’s need for divine help and intervention to become your best self.

                                THE WHOLE TRUTH

You have probably heard or read the famous quote attributed to Blaise Pascal, the renown 17th Century French Mathematician, Physicist, and Philosopher… “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator.”   I have researched his writings and found the real quote to be quite a bit longer… and even more elegant. But this shorter and more famous version gets to my core belief. Dear friend, with all my heart I believe we all need a personal relationship with our Creator!

Furthermore, I believe that Jesus Christ’s central message was that the God we were seeking, had always in fact, been seeking us. As our Heavenly Father, He loves each of us and pursues us, even when we may have been running away from Him.

Yes, we need that personal relationship with our Creator… but in truth, He desires it even more than we need it!

                                     LIFE CHANGE

When it comes to “Life Change”, some people can accomplish much through sheer will power. However, though many may not believe it, we are each one a personal, eternal creation of our Creator God.
     1) He was our SOURCE.
     2) He is our SUSTAINER.
     3) He will be our eternal DESTINY.

All of us need His personal presence, forgiveness and help throughout time and eternity!

                          EMBRACE… OR RUN AWAY

Until now, you may have ignored or even run away from the ONE whose help you actually needed the most! Your experience with religion may have even contributed to a distorted perception of a god who is a “spoil sport” or “scorekeeper” who is just waiting to make your life miserable and keep you from enjoyment and fulfillment. Naturally you wouldn’t want any involvement with such a god… neither would I.

I have found, actually, that this idea of God COULDN’T BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH! Our Creator God made us as His children to grow up to find real joy and total fulfillment both now and throughout an incredible eternity. Instead of running away from Him, why not try a radical new approach… RUN TO HIM who truly seeks your best! Confess your sins to Him and receive His forgiveness and new abundant life.

                             TRUE PEACE AND REST

St. Augustine, a 4th Century Roman theologian prayed a prayer which has remained popular to this day… “O Lord, our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”

Is there a “restlessness” in your heart?

Is there perhaps an “empty place” there that nothing material seems to be able to fill?

If anything I have written here strikes a chord of truth within you, please don’t let the constant noise and demands of modern life distract you until you settle this issue with your Creator God. Don’t let this moment of “the Father’s seeking you” slip away.

Quiet your spirit; bow your head and your heart before the Infinite Creator of the Universe, who has invited you to call Him “FATHER”. Now, in your spirit just talk to Him in simple language about your need for relationship with Him. There are no “magic prayer words”… remember, He already knows your thoughts and has already been seeking you long before you thought to seek Him.

                                CLOSING THOUGHT

If you have made it this far, you may find further help in the two papers from my Brochure section entitled “Your Five Most Basic Needs” and “God Loves You”.