A Frustrating Sunday Errand

Today, I asked Brittany if I could stop by one of my favorite stores on island, the camera store. I had ordered an eye piece for my digital camera that I lost sometime while I was in America this summer. I also wanted to show the general manager Hirohito (who speaks good english) a Konica 1965 film camera I picked up at a 2nd hand store for 1000 yen ($6).

http://www.konicafiles.com/slr-bodies/-auto-reflex-1965/

Normally when we leave church to go back home we make a right turn past Camp Foster. But today since we were going to the camera store it's usually a bit quicker to go left and hit 58 so that we wouldn't have to do a U turn later on.

So we took the left hand turn and for the first minute we didn't hit any traffic. Usually this road isn't congested and it's a quicker way to go. But today for some weird reason there was a lot of traffic. Brittany and I were hoping it would clear up but it didn't. After what felt like 30-40 minutes passed (probably only 10) we contemplated on turning around. Instead we decided to take a side road because we saw others do it and maybe it would be quicker. Come to find out it was definitely not quicker and it was backed up just the same. I was getting really frustrated. We were in bumper to bumper traffic and we weren't getting anywhere. The cars would move. a few inches every 3-4 minutes. After another 20 minutes we decided to turn around and head back our usual way. The second no car was in front of us I was so happy. It felt like I was making progress even if it was in the wrong direction. I later told Brittany that we will definitely not move to the city where there is a lot traffic because I couldn't take it/.

We got to the camera store in 14 minutes. We would've still be stuck in traffic.

On September 15th, Pastor Tommy preached on Ephesians 4:17-24.

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

These verses is Paul's instructions to the Ephesians on how to live properly.

Brittany and I were staying in the same traffic and following others to the side roads. We were living as the Gentiles do. While we were in the traffic we were darkened in our understanding or separate from God. We lost sensitivity and thought that this was the best way. Maybe the traffic will clear in a second and we will get through.

Paul reminds us that this is not the way that we have learned. When we heard about Jesus Christ then we must put off the old way. We must turn around and get out of the traffic. Free ourselves from the frustration and burden and move towards Jesus.

Don't give into the Devil thinking that this is the best way. Do NOT GIVE THE DEVEIL A FOOT HOLD!

When we turned around I feel free! Lately I feel like I've been following the ways of the world. I've been angry with my past, I stay on my phone and scroll through pointless videos that don't help me grow.

I desire to be feed by God's word.

Matthew 4:4 "But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Lord, guide me and my family to be daily devoted to you. Help me serve my family and you for the rest of my life. I desire to daily seek you and understand your ways. Lead me away from temptation and deliver me from the evil one.

You are the way the truth and the life.

Amen.

PUT OFF THE OLD WAYS OF THINKING AND PUT ON YOUR NEW LIFE!

May the Lord bless you as you and keep you. May his face shine upon you.