TRANSLATION COMING?

        Lately I have been feeling a move to translate some of my writings into Spanish.  I work with co-workers that are predominantly Latino.  They come from South American countries like Equador, Columbia and Peru.  There are a lot from Dominican Republic & a number from neighboring Haiti. There are also several from West & East Africa, with a few Kenyans and a couple from Sierra Leone.  So you can see it's a real melting pot.  The Haitians & Africans understand english, but our slang throws them.  The Latinos understand very little english so that is where my emphasis will lie.  I will be using the www.spanishdict.com website which is said to be the best free translation tool on the web.  It may not translate perfectly into Spanish, but with the Holy Spirit's help the message will get out there.  If you are so inclined please pray for this endeavor.

          I've decided to try to translate my devos first, then attempt to put up a Spanish website for my ministry.  May God's will be done in all things.  rk

THE 6 MISTAKES OF MORTAL MAN

Don't remember if I ever shared this:

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1.  The illusion that personal gain is made up of crushing others.

2.  The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected.

3.  Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.

4.  Refusing to set aside trivial preferences.

5.  Neglecting development & refinement of the mind & not acquiring the habit of reading & study.

6.  Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.

– Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 B.C. - 43 B.C.) 

[Roman statesman and man of letters, Cicero was Rome’s greatest orator and it’s most articulate philosopher. The last years of republican Rome are often referred to as the Age of Cicero.]

WINTER STORM JONAS

20" in Bricktown, NJ.  Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!  It was cool!!  Big storm.  Supposed to get more next weekend.  We'll have to wait and see.  God was gracious, as always, because we asked that our power not go out and while it did on Saturday morning, it was only for about 1 hour.  No harm done.  Our pups LOVE the snow.  They want to go out all the time and just romp and roll around in it and play till their tongues are hanging out.  Gotta go ... later. elk

I'M BACK

     Another long drought with no time to write down my thoughts here.  Finally I have a favorable work schedule.  I'm working 4 ten hour shifts Tue - Fri with 3 day weekends (which go by quickly, I might add).  God has been good throughout my 1-1/2 at this job.  I've had the opportunity to minister the Lord's peace & mercy to multiple folks.  I am a blessed man.

     A praise report that I don't believe I mentioned:  My youngest daughter Janet, who now lives in Killeen, TX, has decided it was time to get back in touch with me.  It's been nice getting to talk to her, but in this new techno age we mostly text and email.  To all that I say "Thank you Lord for your kindness and mercy!"

     That's about it.  Nothing earth shattering.  I will try to write something here each Monday.  Take care and God bless!! reeler

AT LAST!!!

     Our big holiday push is over before it began.  Some SNAFU at the customer with an improperly programed e-coupon caused them to lose millions in sales or something like that.  So I am home today and we are going to our normal 8 hr per day schedule starting immediately.  Plus we have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day OFF.  That's a biggie, cause for a while it was looking like working thru the holiday was going to be mandatory.  Yeah, they can do that.  So we get a big break and I couldn't be happier.  We've only had 8 days off since the beginning of September and it had already gotten way old.  

    So now I can focus on the season that brings me the most joy.  Thanksgiving and Christmas!!  The house and tree are decorated and in the words of American Humorist Jean Shepherd*, "all was right with the world."

     In case I don't get back on here prior to Christmas, have a blessed Christmas and may the true meaning of the holiday draw you even closer to the author of life that you may have a glorious and productive life in the name of Christ! rlk 
*I grew up listening to Jean Shepherd on WOR radio in NYC when I was growing up.  He was the author of In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash & the inspiration for the 1983 Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. Jean is the narrator for the film.  

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

This is the first weekday I've had off since September.  It's been a long grind.

I just noticed that my visit counter on my BREAD OF LIFE devotional blog hit 60,000.  WOW!  That really blesses me.  That means that my daily devotionals are being read by someone around the world.  I've seen hits from Russia, Europe, Asia, Alaska and all parts of the US.  That is so awesome!!  Not because I wrote them, but because God inspired them and His word is getting out.
Thank You Lord for using me in this small way!!

Went to church last night.  Had a Taize service.  It's a worship tradition which began many years ago in the ecumenical monastic community of Taize, France.  It is designed for contemplation, meditative readings, prayer and music.  My wife and I sat quietly and soaked it in.  I sat most of the service with eyes closed, taking in the words sung and spoken.  The quiet was a welcome change from the cacophony of noise I experience each day at work.  I felt spiritually refreshed when I left.  We live 40 minutes from church, but wouldn't go anywhere else.  It is a small Presbyterian congregation with a Born Again head minister who is a wonderful blessing.

Not sure when I will be on here again.  I trust everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving and will have a deeply meaningful Christmas holiday.  God is good and wishes to bless you.  Surrender your will to the One who created you.

Your brother in Christ and friend,
RL Keller

GOD IS WITH US ALWAYS!!

          This is a crazy, mixed up world we live in.  God never changes, but this world changes every day.  Keeping up with all the changes can be mind boggling.  If we stay focused on the Lord we will remain in a more peaceful state of mind than if we don't.  When circumstances surround us and make us uncomfortable or even fearful, remember all the times God delivered you from your difficulties and rest in that fact.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He loves you and will never leave you.  You may feel forsaken a time or two in your life, but if you have committed your life to Christ, the Spirit of God resides within you.  He can't get any closer to you than that.  Rest assured that God will be with you in any and all situations you may find yourself in on any given day.  Rest in that fact.  Fear not, for I am with you always. (Joshua 1:9; Genesis 28:15) rlkeller