Michael.......and the Bible?!!!

I'm sorry, it hasn't clicked in me for several days. I dunno, maybe 4 days ago, Michael asked if I had a Bible he could read. Of course, it's on my desk, it always is, you are welcomed to read it anytime.

I dunno what's taken over the boy's mind, but obviously, God has something to do with it, I know I don't say much about the subject anymore. I have "preached" to the about the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the last 6 years I have known him - and Anthony as well - but, I don't get pushy. It does no good, at all, to get pushy with anyone about the Lord. God can break through the heart where we mortal souls can't even put a dent.

So, today, it suddenly dawned on me that Michael has been reading the Bible every day since he asked about it. Sometimes for hours on end. I had NOTHING to do with this, either. The seed has long been planted, it's up to the Lord to give it the growth, that is out of my realm and the only thing you can do with the seed that is planted is pray over it. Which reminds me, for those that are so inclined, PLEASE remember to throw a few words in about Michael to the Lord in any moment that you might find yourself in prayer.

Twice today, he has picked up the Bible, walked to one of the living room recliners, and sat there and read chapter, after chapter, after chapter. He started with the Book of Genesis and apparently is inclined to work his way through the entire amount of scripture.

Again, I have not prodded, nagged, or even brought up the subject in any recent history, I know the work of the Lord when I see it, I must discuss this subject with other Christians, mainly some of you folks and an online prayer group and hope that some people are moved to pray through on this. This is a "seize the opportunity" moment, perhaps a fork in the road that God has placed before Michael and he is listening and acting on it. I really have NO clue what brought this on.

I have the New King James version and I suspected he might be having trouble with it. It is a FAR easier read than the King James version - which is the version I "grew up" with in my early Christianity. It takes a lot of research into the words that are used in that version to understand what is being said, but I never had a problem going into the Greek or Hebrew dialect in my studies to try to identify, exactly, what is being said.

I don't EVEN want to lay that kind of burden on this kid: I promised to get him a much easier, current-language version of the Bible. I have no clue what is even available. I just like the New King James version so I don't bother with anything else. There are several Christian bookstores around, I will be visiting one of them in the next few days.

In a circumstance like this, I could be next-to-nothing broke and I would find a way to get a person a Bible who wants one. I suspect a good rendition will not be cheap, either, they usually aren't. But, isn't this what it's all about? Is eternity not the prize in terms of heaven? This life - there are few things in this wordly realm that are even of interest to me. I am no saint, but I grew to dislike much of the world's offerings long ago. I have my faults and "we" are working on it. I say that in the very-real factor of the Lord my God.

You want to know why I rarely go out and do much of anything in "societal" terms, it's because I have no interest in such. Even the lure of the casino is beginning to fade. I haven't been in quite a long while now. I DO have interest in finding a woman, but it is something I have little control over. I have all but given up on internet dating sites. I'm sure they work for some people, I have connected with a few but it never led anywhere. I figure a church group, or a club where singles go on hikes, movies, adventures of all sorts, meeting someone in person really has much more allure to me than doing it the internet way. I have been giving it some serious consideration, but - at this point, my lack of appropriate clothing is in the way. I don't have much, really. I never gave it any kind of priority after the house burned down. I will have to start looking for some deals on such, because what I currently have is TOTALLY lacking for any kind of serious attempt to go out and find someone.

Well that was the main subject in this entry. Had to get that out there, I KNOW there are Christians that read my journal, I appeal to you to please lift Michael up in prayer.

As for today? I went to Home Depot, got a few fittings that I was lacking for the 4th station on my drip system, built the station. Hooked up the 1/2 inch line and got about 2/3rds done with laying it out. I turned on the water to blow out the line, my entire manifold came bursting out of the fitting that the entire assembly goes into to supply it water.

I had wondered where the leaking water was coming from, this was obviously it : ) That is already fixed, just re-cemented it and have been waiting quite a while to make sure it is dried and not have this happen again. I also planted the rose bush. I bought one yesterday at Home Depot. It was $6.99 for what is normally a $19.99 bush. I couldn't resist - my dad used to grow roses and I figured at least one of them out front would be cool. The only drawback to having roses is that people love to steal them. Usually kids - come right up into your yard and pluck them suckers. Kids used to go into my parents yard and take the roses and give them to their teachers at school.

I am headed back out side soon. Came in to make some hamburgers and grill them outside along with a manager's special T-bone steak that was half priced. Yes, I got the steak, the kids can have the hamburgers. The steak was absolutely glorious - I don't know of any better eating than a nice, juicy, rare, thick steak. YOU might know of better, this is just my opinion. My favorite of all steak is Porterhouse - oh so wonderful and OH so expensive.

C'ya later.
ben