Mistakes, We All Make Them

Last night was a lot of fun for me. I was able to meet with two of my highschool friends and visit and reminisce about the old days. Looking back seems to be in vogue these days. I am always getting things from friends about the past, letting us relive old games, songs, and the things we used to do in a simpler time. Even on the morning news programs, they're bringing back the casts from some of the old shows. This morning they had the cast of the Partridge Family. It was fun to see them, although, my family didn't get the channel their show came on way back then. But I still enjoyed seeing them. The "kids" were all together except for Susan Dey, and they spoke out to her directly that they love her and miss her. I thought that was really nice.

It's wonderful that we can always reach out to old friends and family members these days, we have so many ways! I've been watching the news coverage about the awful accident that happened at seaworld. Mark and I took Dustin and Christina there more than once. They would rather go to SeaWorld than Disney, Epcot or Universal down in Florida. And, the Shamu show was the most exciting part of the day. It was so sad that the trainer died doing what she loved most in life, working with these beautiful, massive creatures of the sea. Right now there's a lot of finger pointing, finding blame and the like. It's, to me, really simple. This trainer merely forgot who, rather what, she was dealing with. She loved these animals so much, she looked at them as beloved pets, and no longer saw them as wild animals. It was a costly mistake on her part, but it was her mistake, one that cost her and her family dearly.

I thought it was amusing that someone even said the orca had acted out in premeditated murder. I really think the only beings capable of such an action is the human species. This poor animal seemed to really love his trainer and, I think, was just wanting to play, simple as that. I'm glad the park is resuming it's shows and also glad they are revamping their safety measures. The trainers can't forget that these are wild animals, after all.

I'm really enjoying Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life". I'm reminded that the supreme goal of our lives is to glorify God as stated in Romans 11:36, "Everything comes from God alone, everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory". That was His purpose in making us. It is further described in Rick Warren's book that we can bring glory to God by doing all he tells us to do. Furthermore, he does this by summing up how to do this in five acts of obedience on our part. They are worshipping God, loving other believers, becoming like Christ, serving others and telling others about Him.

It's a lot easier said than done, but when we attempt to do those five things we are fulfilling our purpose here on earth. Whereas, our fulfilled purpose by the world's view may be financial success, material wealth and career fulfillment, by God's view, it has so much more to do with our relationship with Him and others than material wealth and prosperity. It's difficult to be successful at achieving both. A successfully lived life, in God's eyes is often seen very different through the world's view.

The Upperroom was again enlightening to me today. I read yesterday's verse from 2 Timothy. This happens to be one of my favorite books of the Bible. Written by Paul, near the end of his life, he was trying to pass the torch, so to speak, on to a trusted friend, one he had mentored along. It's full of all those last minute instructions you give, like before you leave the babysitter with your children.

Well, my dogs are reminding me that I need to get on with my day. Again, it's a muddy mess out there this morning and I have lots to tend to around the house and yard. I hope you have a wonderful and safe day, luv, Susan