LOL! Thanks for the :groan TR Thank you, David. I love that story and have cited it to friends as advice, but probably most often just as something humorous - something as you know I usually strive to be. Sadly the optimism vs pessimism angle for me is purely about timing. When...?! I found the loving pony gift in there decades ago, and I'm still blessedly riding it. But my desired final pony is now simply a "when." When I started with RITA Now, and for years thereafter, I assumed I could probably dig down and find that "when." My / our pony is absolutely guaranteed to be in there some when, yet regardless of what we are able to affect or how we can feel about hoping, it will be when it will be -- our pony at last! Sigh. I used to like that optimistic digging, yet now I poke around at the surface of the scattered stinking spread that used to be for me a big, hopeful, exciting, challenging, (although stinking), organized pile. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this [trapture]? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Thanks again. :yes: PS - thanks everyone for RITA Now participation -- a context that gives us something relational and often meaningful, (despite Solomon's "meaningless" claim), to do while we wait. Hi, Dan! Concerning Solomon's statement about "vanity," it might be useful to note that the actual meaning of the term is not "useless." Rather, it speaks of "breath," which is vital and yet still only temporary. It has to be repeated until we take our final breath. That's how it is under the sun or in this world: Nothing lasts, and in the end we can't hold onto it. At least, that's how it is "under the sun." Therefore, Solomon was correct concerning our activities here. We have to get up, go to work, pay our bills, and "occupy until Jesus returns." Our time here is relational and meaningful, yes. Even the ordinary, mundane activities of life aren't useless, as we are called to witness for Christ, and perhaps our observations about the troubles of this life will prove to be valuable in the age to come. The children born in the Millennium may need our guidance, having never known the sufferings and dangers we experience daily at present. While yet in this life, there are those who can benefit from the accumulated lessons we learned the hard way. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ... 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20-21 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Thanks David. You said, "The children born in the Millennium may need our guidance, having never known the sufferings and dangers we experience daily at present." We may have some then unbelievable whoppers and wonders to tell those people then. I suspect we might have difficulty getting them to understand the feeling, meaning and depth of the term "war." We'll of course rule with rods of iron, so our chosen consequences for folk's transgressions will be more easily distinguished, but war...? What is that again? Wanton killing of innocents? Who would do that, and why? And also not love God? Unbelievable! Who could not love God? Earth will be a cool place to rule in then, I think. Indeed part of our life during that period will involve ruling and reigning with Christ, in various capacities. And having joined a royal priesthood we shall also have priestly duties as well. Jews will continue to fill the Temple and also have their priests. Good thing we shall not count time as we do here in the Earth now, for once we get to Heaven there will just so many things to occupy ourselves with! No laying around sleeping on clouds or playing harps all day! Except may on Sabbath! I also am thrilled that this site not only was resurrected, but also given new life. With Christmas coming near, tis the season to bless one another, daily. TR
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5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:4-8
