Snoopy's Warning! WOOF! WOOF!

   No news on TV or papers this week for me.  All the negative vibs caused more stress--or so I thought.  The break from it did help, but then I felt guilty for "running away" from reality and responsibility-Woe is me!  There must be a balance here.
   I want to make my second blog something positive.  However, my thoughts keep returning to a Charles Schulz "Peanuts" strip and this one had a negative overtone.
   "Peanuts" was always my favorite because C. Schulz always had a wonderful lesson if you "put on your thinking cap."
   So in your minds eye see--Snoopy, rising up on top of his dog house; saying "The World famous watchdog is ever alert---" He jumps to the ground.  Next, he's at Lucy's bedroom window- "Woof."  She sits up, then turns over- "That's all right--Everything is fine--Thank You."  Snoopy  then appears at Charlie Brown's window--"Woof!"  Charlie silts up then lies back down--"thats okay-Everything is all right--you're a good watchdog--Go back to sleep". Snoopy walks away with a big *Sigh*!  Finally, he's back lying on his dog house--"You try to warn them that the world has gone mad, but they won't listen..."
   Yes, Snoopy's  warning put in a nutshell-"WOOF! WOOF!"  But for me, I must ask myself a few questions.
   Do I ignore warning signs?  Another warning Luke 16:28
      Am I at ease, with a false sense of security?  See Amos 6:1
         Am I ignoring warning signs letting the "world" make decisions and control me?
            Will what I value last for eternity?  Amos7:7 Vision of the plumb line.
   Speaking of Visions---Do I need a new Vision?  The Lord stands ready to inspire with the vision of an alternative world if I'll but listen.  There is power residing in a vision.  Like a star it draws us into the future; it guides us on our way.  It weaves a goal worth living and dying for.  Some of  MY old visions have failed, run their course, or been corrupted.  At times I have felt exiled, oppressed, fearful and helpless but then I met my savior.  Yes, I have been knocked down but never knocked out.
   A New vision promotes life as we know it ought to be.  Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us about victory when God's children cry unto Him.  He reminds them of His mighty victories in the past, then states, "But forget all that--it is nothing compared to what I'm going to do.  For I am about to do a brand-new thing.  See I have already begun."
   WOW!  I have been given Hope-defined as a strong desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment of the unique vision my Lord has planned for me.
   I believe Faith-defined is a way of being.  It is action, something we do.  It is the expression of meaning revealed in a person's life style--a gift of God's grace.
   And I have the potential to  develop it---if I will jsut listen. "WOOF! WOOF!"
                 On a pilgrimage seeking integrity,
                             Virgene