Who's In Charge, Anyway

Sometimes, things we want may not be really good for us.
Healthcare today has become a big topic of controversy. There are those that say we should all be entitled to healthcare coverage, those that sacrificed in order to have it, those that believe it should be free, that the government should provide it, and me.
First, let me say that I think science has done amazing things in the ability to prolong life and to continue with certain aspects of life for a lot longer; new joints, repaired hearts, new valves, etc.  What I have been contemplating lately is whether these improvements in the quality of our lives are really good for us. Maybe the original plan for a quality life didn't hinge so much on how long we lived as to how we lived. Yesterday, I read an article written in the 60's by Katherine Marshall on the benefits of a surrendered life. In the article, she recounted a time when she was sick for an extended period of time, prayed and prayed for healing with no results, then finally gave up, said, " Okay, God, fine, if you want me to be in bed instead of doing something else, then that is what I want, too." Then her healing began.
Do I always look for shortcuts out of a problem before I let the problem bring a much needed change in my life? Is God really in control, or do I just give him lip service when what I really want is my own way? If God is all the omnis (potent, present, scient) then He must have a plan when my truck won't start, when I twist my ankle, when I break my favorite coffee cup, when I discover a spot of cancer on my face or chest, when somebody says something that really makes me mad, or hurt, or laugh, or when I oversleep. Is it possible that the all powerful God who says that He loves me, is really arranging things in my life to move me in the direction that He designed me to follow. Is it possible for me to really put all my trust in Him, for everything, and to start looking for the things He wants me to see, and to begin to live the life He wants me to live?

                                                         Just Taste It

Since I have been married to the best home cook in the world for 42 years now, I believe it is safe to say that I know good food. As a matter of fact, my bucket list includes being a guest judge on The Iron Chef, mainly to convince my wife that she is indeed the best. But I tell you what drives me crazy. Have you ever tasted something that was so incredibly full of so many layers of flavor that there were no words to adequately describe it, and all you could say was, "Oh, man, you have got to taste this!" You didn't really want to give any of it away, but you just wanted someone to share the experience with you. Right?
So, this flavor is lingering in your mouth, you're  trying not to moan too loudly with pleasure, and the one you are trying to bless with this incredible taste of food says, "No, I don't like..."(fill in the blank)
"All right, you have never tasted anything like this! Just taste it. One bite."
"No, I tasted it once, and I didn't like it."
That drives me crazy!
A young atheist one time told me, " If you can show me some proof that God is real, I will believe."
Another one said, "Even if God is real, I would never worship Him."
I have realized that the only proof that will work for the atheist, is to just taste Him.
Jesus said, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them...so the one who feeds on me will live because of me...whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
I love, more than good food, my LIFE that will last forever, and I just want you to taste it.