Hello from sunny Arizona and my vacation.  I will try to keep this blog light and full of the spirit of my day.  I am enjoying my newest grandson, John Michael and family.  It is always good to get away and gain perspective.  That is where I am headed with this.

Often times as you read the New Testament you will find the disciples looking for Jesus.  They comment to each other about where can He be.  Then they find Him and He is by Himself praying.  When they ask what e is doing, you would think they would recognize praying, He tells them He is in conversation with His Father.   He is always keeping the relationship close and healthy.  By His actions He implies that they too would be wise to practice that same thing.  Seldom do they follow through until after He has ascended.

So what is the lesson for us?  I think for me it is that we are to continuously keep in touch with God so our relationship with Him will stay close and healthy.  How else can we know what we are to do or act without a daily encounter with our God?  As time consuming as it may be it is the only way we can be assured of a great and growing relationship with our God.

So how do we do this in our busy lives?  I do it by just setting aside time to be quiet and allowing God to come near.  We do not always have to have an agenda.  Sometimes it is enough to just be near.  Just like my new grandson John.  Sometimes all he needs is his mom, dad, grand mom, grand dad or great grand dad to be near and he is comforted.  That is exactly how it is with our God.  Just being near to God gives us comfort and strength.  So what are you waiting for?  Get away and get near.

Grace,

John