The Day My Hard Drive Died

It started like any other day—until I looked at my computer screen. Apparently, the message had been waiting for me all night, ever since I had supposedly shut it down. “Reboot by inserting boot device or insert media device, reboot, and strike any key.”

 I didn’t have any such items and after several texts to my computer-competent sons, pushing the computer’s shut-off button and hitting control-alt-delete more than once, to no avail, I decided to take it to a repair shop.

 The end result was, “We weren’t able to retrieve any data from your hard drive, even after putting it in the freezer.” Yes, that does sometimes do the trick for comatose hard drives. But not for mine.

 It was like a death in the family. No Google searches for a recipe or the distance from point A to point B or looking up obscure facts just for curiosity’s sake. And no FaceBook!

 You might ask, “Did you have any of your data backed up?” Fortunately, a copy of the first draft of a book I’ve just written was on a thumb drive. Otherwise, the thought of backing up data had not crossed my mind since I retired from my office job twelve years ago.

 I hadn’t really considered anything worth saving—until it was gone. Three years of pictures, three short stories, some poems, and tributes I’d written for loved ones who have died. Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t have a back-up plan.

 Obviously, it makes good sense to back up your data in case your hard drive crashes. Unlike a computer hard drive, however, your soul never dies. Until you leave your “earth suit” you can still choose your system/destination.

 The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus paid our sin debt on a cross so that we could choose life in heaven with him. Of course, we can ignore this awesome gift of life Christ has made possible. Spending eternity separated from God’s love in hell doesn’t sound like a good back up plan to me.

 I hope it doesn’t appeal to you either.

What GPS Do You Use?

 These days our cell phones generally have a GPS app and if our vehicles are new enough, there's a GPS function on the dashboard complete with a voice telling you to turn right in 100 feet--or make a u-turn at the next legal opportunity.

We purchased our first GPS called Genie, who spoke with a feminine, British accent. The contrivance plugged into the cigarette lighter and did prove to be helpful on occasion. That is, until we were wandering around the back roads of northeastern Missouri and Genie directed us to drive over a cliff into the Gorin, Missouri dump. That was the trip we decided Genie needed a satellite update.

In the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter 9, I read this morning about the cloud that enveloped the Tabernacle by day and the Pillar of Fire by night, signifying the presence of YHWH, their God, and guiding them to stay at or leave a location. Like a sacred GPS, 

He was leading His people, Israel,  to the Land He had promised their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob They had no clue as to how to reach their destination and most of them had only become acquainted with YHWH after He'd removed them from Egypt, marched them through the Red Sea, on dry land, ad fed them bread that fell from the sky every morning.except Saturday.

After I read that section, I thought "How convenient it would be to have a cloud to show what direction to take today." Then it hit me. "You have the Holy Spirit in you all the time, but these people didn't get to dialog with God." 

The only way they could find favor with Him was to bring substitute sacrifices for their sins. Moses, their leader, was the only one  of that group, at that time,  granted the privilege of communicating with God.

How blessed we are in this age, on the other side of Jesus' cross. We can repent of our sins, asking forgiveness and are granted it because Jesus paid the penalty.  We can communicate with YHWH, our Father, and know He has the answer, the direction we need to go.

The Creator of the universe never needs an update on His GPS. And on top of that, His GPS is personalized just for you. 

So which GPS do you choose to use? Be careful. Choosing your own direction may land you in the city dump.

Who is Your God?

 My favorite devotional book, currently, is Sarah Young's Jesus Calling. Today's entry dealt with the question, "Who do you worship?"  Now you have to remember that these devotionals are written as if Jesus was sitting across the table from you and talking with you.

Folks who at least profess to have some sort of belief in God, whether they attend church or not, would quickly answer that question about worship by stating, "I worship God."

That's a great Sunday School answer--but remember our scenario at the beginning? Jesus is sitting across the table from you, looking straight in your eyes, actually looking deep into your soul.

He gently answers His own question for you. "Whatever occupies your mind the mos is your god." 

That focus could well be anxiety (which can cover every aspect of our lives). Worry about health, financial security, relationships, natural disasters, political situations, terrorism--those are just some "big" items we can worry about.

Break the bondage of anxiety by focusing on Jesus, the One who gives us peace. Remember the Christmas story in Luke, chapter 2 where the angels sang of Jesus' birth--"Peace..."

Ms. Young chose an interesting scripture to close today's devotional entry--

"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7