New Decade -- New Beginnings

Earlier this year I have had the dubious privilege of reaching that chronological milestone that we call "The big 6-0". As I now look forward to beginning the 7th decade of my lifetime, I continue to be encouraged by the story of Moses. Moses was in his late 70's when God confronted him with the burning bush and called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. But wait; there is more:

"Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever." (Deut. 34:7, NLT)

Moses began the greatest accomplishment of his lifetime when he was well past what we would regard as "normal retirement age" and after that he had more than 40 years of useful and productive ministry. Moreover, he remained in good health right up to his last day. If Senior Citizens were to have a "patron saint," Moses would be a prime candidate for consideration.

Just as the burning bush was a symbol of a new beginning in the course of Moses' life, so the 60th birthday is becoming a symbol of new beginnings for me. For years I have been what I call a "closet writer." I have been writing, and writing, and writing, and then hiding it all away where no one could see. In recent months I have felt that our Lord is leading me to share my writing with the world, for better or for worse.

This blog is, for me, a new beginning; the beginning of writing not just for my own benefit, but also for the benefit of others. This Blog will be personal in its nature, and will discuss my own experiences, thoughts, and reflections on my favorite subjects. These include:

• Living the Christian life.
• Being a full-time RVer
• Places I have visited in my travels.
• Interesting books I have read, or am reading.
• My dog, Abby.
• Other subjects that I may deem to be appropriate (it is my blog after all).

For now, I have enabled readers to post comments and your respectful comments are welcome. I am however, a sensitive guy, and in the event that the comments become disrespectful (as I have heard that some do) I will turn the comments off. I do not ask that you agree with me (though I hope you will) but I do insist that you refrain from name-calling, innuendo, etc.

I should mention now, by way of introduction, that my wife Sandi and I have been living and traveling full-time in an RV for almost 10 years, not counting a brief "time out" a couple of years ago so she could be with her dad in his final months. We are also "Workampers," that is, we pick up a couple of seasonal jobs along the course of our travels, partly to pick up some extra money, but mostly to help make life interesting, and to help keep me in touch with the world at large.

There is another new beginning for me that I would like to mention. I am currently writing a book entitled "Going Forth in the Name." That is why I chose the name for this blog. The title is taken from III John: 5-7 and it is about living the Christian life as a full-time RVer. I have received a lot of encouragement for this project from many of my friends, who seem just as excited as I am to see it come to pass. I expect to finish and self-publish this book by the fall of 2007. Stay tuned to this "station" for more details. Also, pray for me that I will be faithful to our Lord and say what He intends me to say in this book, and that I will meet this self-imposed yet important deadline for my book.

As Moses walked away from his "meeting" with God at the burning bush, in spite of his age he was on his way toward the greatest accomplishments of his life. This experience was only the beginning of the ways he would experience the power of God in his life and in the lives of those around him.

As I start down my path of new beginnings and as I attempt to follow His Holy Spirit, it is my prayer that, like Moses, my best days are ahead, and that I have only begun to know the power of Jesus Christ in my life and in the world. It is also my sincere hope that as He blesses me that I will be able to be used by Him to bless you as well.

Thanks for spending this moment with me today!