as for zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:6-7 NIV

We had a bit of snow this morning but only an inch or so. Today is the  17th of January and no snow storms. I hope you can say the same where ever you are. I don't dislike snow it's just a hassle if you have to get out of the house. Now that I have all of my children driving it is a different story.

When my youngest was about 8 years old she got caught in a blizzard, while coming home from school on the bus. It seemingly came from no where, but fell quickly and stopped traffic. She was two hours late, but thank God no one was hurt.  Just a random story about January.

Our friend the Apostle had everything to hope in as far as natural circumstances were concerned. The best education, the right family, so what more could he need? God knew Paul needed a clean heart.  He was of no use to Jesus without cleansing and salvation. At times we can think someone is the most wonderful person, maybe because of their sports ability, or their smart enough to be at the top of their class.

Our society values people for their outward appearance. I sat this morning at my kitchen table reading "Shape" magazine. I don't know where it came from but I thought maybe I could learn something important. The hair dressers were giving life advice. Now maybe these women had knowledge I wasn't aware of, but to me it seemed silly to be saying anything about life if you cut hair.

I'm probably wrong, but it just didn't make sense to me. Where did their advice come from, and why was it valid? How could it be substantiated as good? My hairdresser and I talk about history because we both like it. Anyway, Call me an old Bible teacher, but I'm not going to listen to anything about life that's not truth.

I've been around the block a few times and I know what listening to just anybody will do for you. It can cause me to go around in circles, doubting what I knew all along. I don't have time for this, because I'm older but also I have learned to want Jesus more than anything else.

Paul seemed to be a devout Jew on the outside, when in reality he was killing those who were right before God. He needed an attitude adjustment which involved a horse and the Lord. God got his attention in the most unusual way, but Paul had to be stopped right in his horsetracks.

 Blindness gave him time to contemplate what Jesus said to him, and He believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who cleansed his heart, and gave him a new way of thinking. I don't want God to throw me off my horse to get my attention. I'll stay close by His side without any need for an attitude adjustment!