Matthew 20

This morning the daily Bible reading was in Matthew 20:1-19. The story of the laborers in the vineyard is like the kingdom of heaven. At the end of Matthew 19 Jesus reminds the disciples that the first will be last and the last first. This parable teaches the same principle. Those who were hired in the 6th hour received their pay first and those who were hired at the beginning of the day received pay last. They complained about it. Why the repetition of the first shall be last? It's my opinion that this message is extremely important. Why do we ever repeat anything? Because we want the audience to catch the message-it is vital! What next? How do I become last?

Matt.19

I was doing my daily Bible reading this morning. Matthew 19:16-30 was one of the passages. This is the story of Jesus with the rich young ruler. Obviously from the title the young guy is very wealthy. So he comes to Jesus and asks him what else he has to do to receive eternal life (Matt. 19:16). Jesus tells him to keep certain commandments like don't steal, honoring your parents, and loving your neighbor as yourself. So the guy says to Jesus he's done all of this and wants to know what else is there. Jesus says sell all your stuff and give the money to the poor so he'll have treasures in heaven and follow Jesus( verse 21). The young guy goes away from Jesus really sad. He is unwilling to do what Jesus has told him. Jesus goes on to say that if anyone has left their father, mother, sister, brother, children, or property for his sake will receive a hundredfold in return and receive eternal life(Matt 19:29). The chapter ends with this verse "But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now, will be most important then"Matt 19:30 New Living Translation. After reading this I wondered "What now?" Another question hit me "What am I willing to give up for Jesus?"

Kesystone State

Mom and I are heading out in a little while to go to central Pennsylvania. We'll be stopping in Punxsatawney, Pa home of the groundhog Phil. We lived there for several years when I was around 2 til I was about 5. So excited about seeing Phil! Mom and I have not had a road trip since 2007 when she came to visit me in Germany and we drove from Zwochau to Dresden. So it should be some good times. We'll go to Gram's after we stop in Punxsy. Howard is where she lives which is in Centre County, smack dab in the middle of the Nittany Mountains. My aunt Cheryl is having a barbecue tonight so I'll get to see my whole family! I haven't seen most of them in at least 3 years if not longer.