Trains and training…

 Trains and training…

Some of my grandchildren loved Thomas the Train…they had boxes of tracks…a multitude of cars, accessories, books, videos and dvds…they could name each car with its correct name…go on all kinds of adventures, while staying on one make believe “ island”…what fun…they could lay a multitude of pathways for their train adventures….

My train journeys have been few, but so memorable…loved them..

1. Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon…amazing on an old train…

2. Quebec City, Quebec to Vancouver, B.C., beautiful country coming across Canada with stops in tiny villages…dome car views…

3. Beijing north to a beautiful town, winter home…seeing country villages along the way…

4. Albany, Oregon to Phoenix, Arizona …along the California coast…

5. Central California, north to south…

6. Small dinner trains in various places…Oregon, California, South Dakota…to wonderful, fun, destinations 

All were on a track with an engine, power, a conductor, helpers, a destination….various sites along the way…

We were reading a verse about training the other day…as in instruction, being prepared, growth in godliness…

My mind  wandered to the picture of a train as well…with its track to keep the train moving in one direction…there are stops and starts, loading  and unloading of freight or passengers, refueling, a conductor, workman to maintain, brakes to slow down, signals to give direction…

We have a path, our “ track” which God has laid before us..

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Psalm 16:11,17:5

Our conductor, the Holy Spirit, leads , teaches, convicts…

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 

14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:7-8,13-14

We have various “workman” along out path to help us, encourage us…

Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,  encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

1 Thessalonians 4:18,5:11,14

We have freight, stuff, to off-load, leave behind, while picking up new…

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:19-24

Definition of train 

: a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive

: to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient

: to form by instruction, discipline, or drill

: to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill

: to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, and tying

: to aim at an object or objective :

trained his camera on the deer

training every effort toward success, 

Merriam Webster Dictionary…

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:7-8

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:14

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11

 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:5-6

Thank YOU for the journey on Your life’s pathway, tracks…conducting life, the power of prayer…