Big thanks to you as well ~ I had just finished typing (just a little while ago) my thank you letter to the other 3 people who posted here.  And by that time, Doves was not yet posted for the day.

So.... now I have the opportunity to say thank you to you two dear people as well!  (and also including the ones who thought about my letter but did not post)

 

All I can say is this:  one of my dearest friends, a preacher no less, was told by HIS preacher that the rapture would be in 2000 ~ well, had my friend "listened" and paid heed to him ~ then he would never have married a wonderful, godly woman!!  NOR would they have brought 2 lovely daughters into this world!!   He would not have had either!!   Oh boy, would he have missed out!!

 

Guess what I'm saying is ~ balance, balance, balance!!   Because it can go both ways -- and doing nothing other THAN waiting & watching for the rapture can stifle & cripple us from getting anything else done.  And afterall ~ sobering & scary to think that the UNPROFITABLE servant is "cast out".... that's what the Bible says!!   No, we are not saved BY works ~ but by george, after getting saved, we're surely expected to do something for the Kingdom!!    "fruits worthy of repentance"!!..... the book of Matthew says.....

 

Well, fast forward 10 years down the road -- and we can SEE that we are "almost there".   Should our plans shift & go a different direction because we are so sure the church age is about up?  Well, I expect that's up to the individual.   I just know -- for myself -- I have trouble making LONG RANGE plans!!  The book of James tells us to not even brag about what we're going to do "tomorrow" ~ without adding, "Lord willing".

 

Yes, Amanda, like you say ~ and being one who's big on finding "clearance sales" (course of habit from not having much $ over the years...)  and putting things back for Christmas or other gift-giving occasions....  but even this year, I wonder will I even NEED these??    So I try to reign myself in & not get *too* excited over sales any more!   

In the end, it's ALL going to "burn up" anyway!!......  I mean all the "stuff" that people accumulate.... the pretty paper, the wrappings, ALL of it....

 

Edwina AND Amanda ~ you both mention that this road we travel is often LONELY..... well, amen to that.   Paradox, isn't it.... thee easiest crown to obtain ~ merely watching for Jesus ~ and yet the most NEGLECTED one!!

 

Don't know if "jealousy" will be an emotion allowed in heaven:  we can hope not ~ but if so, will our friends then stare at us as glistening crowns are placed on our heads ~ because we chose to obey Scripture & to watch?   THEY COULD HAVE, TOO!!!!   Will we have a special "glistening" to us for all eternity -- our heavenly mates will be able to merely glance our way & think ~ wow, there goes that person who was adamently longing for Jesus' appearing!   Who knew He was on His way, while I was busy getting ready to build a house..... or buying Christmas presents..... or......

 

Edwina ~ if the rapture does not happen this year, then of course we just keep on keeping on!!!!! ~ PATIENTLY, as the farmer who waits for his harvest!!   Knowing that the Lord WILL gather us up on His perfect schedule!!   And if we weren't patient ~ then Amanda couldn't have been *woke up* ~ b/c many of us have been watching for a lot longer than since 2008!   *big smile*.....

 

I keep thinking, as do some of you, that it's just got to be this year! ~ what with them trying to hammer out the rest of that peace deal....  so I can say that I expect (NOT PREDICT  -->> and that's the difference)  but I *expect* His coming to be this year!

 

May we be found watching and praying; may we be found worthy to escape the Tribulation & to stand before the Son of Man.   And may it be soon!! ~ Amen & Maranatha!!

Reva