Coming home…

  Coming home….

 

We arrived home, welcoming a night with no deadline the next morning, no suitcases out by 7am, no breakfast call…just on our own time…

Our trip was fantastic and worth the wait…we realized that both of our staminas had decreased over those three years for various reasons and if we are able to take another of these trips, we need to make some logistical changes…so will see what happens in the ensuing months…

We met a great group of people, several family groups traveling together, several couples, some of the same faith…but all there to enjoy the sights, the safety of traveling in numbers, having a commentary of the area, not driving or navigating ourselves…

We had a farewell dinner the night before we all scattered to our homes in various destinations across the United States to say our goodbyes…

Finishing Colossians, Paul writes in his own hand, further instructions to these dear people …

*take care of those with whom you have been entrusted…

*devote yourself to prayer,  being watchful and thankful…

*pray for Paul and his entourage…

*be wise in the way you act…

*make the most of every opportunity…

*let your conversation be full of grace…

*listen to reports given by those bringing the letter…

*people are praying for them…

*share letters…

*remember him and his chains…

When I finish a letter or card, I usually write, “love,…” or “Blessings,”…Paul goes way beyond that in each of his letters…”a farewell “ dinner so to speak…with a feast of instructions and last minute greetings and rememberances….

It is a reminder to make a farewell memorable…and meaningful…

Thank YOU…

 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:“I am the Lord your God,who teaches you what is best for you,who directs you in the way you should go.

Isa.48.17

Joshua’s farewell speech …Joshua 23…

 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 

He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. 

They will tell you everything that is happening here. 

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 

Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. 

These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. 

He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 

I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 

Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 

After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” 

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Col.4.1-18

Whatever May come…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nW7lyO6jHA