Believing While Not Knowing Where

Several years ago a friend e-mailed me a humorous and poignant reminder about the aging process and what aging entails. It is entitled, ‘What I Want in A Man’ (Slide 1)

What I Want In A Man, (at age 24)

1. Handsome

2. Charming

3. Financially Successful

4. A Caring Listener

5. Witty

6. In Good Shape

7. Dresses with Style

8. Appreciates the Finer Things

9. Full of Thoughtful Surprises

10. An Imaginative, Romantic Lover

What I Want In A Man (at age 32) (Slide 2)

1. Nice Looking -- preferably with hair on his head

2. Opens car doors, holds chairs

3. Has enough money for a nice dinner at restaurant

4. Listens more than he talks

5. Laughs at my jokes at appropriate times

6. Can carry in all the groceries with ease

7. Owns at least one tie

8. Appreciates a good home cooked meal

9. Remembers Birthdays and Anniversaries

10. Seeks romance at least once a week

What I Want In A Man, (at age 42) (Slide 3)

1. Not too ugly -- bald head OK

2. Doesn’t drive off until I m in the car

3. Works steady -- splurges on dinner at McDonalds on occasion

4. Nods head at appropriate times when I’m talking

5. Usually remembers the punch-lines of jokes

6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture

7. Usually wears shirt that covers stomach

8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids

9. Remembers to put the toilet seat lid down

10. Shaves on most weekends (Slide 4)

What I Want In A Man, (at age 52) (Slide 5)

1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed to appropriate length

2. Doesn’t belch or scratch in public

3. Doesn’t borrow money too often

4. Doesn’t nod off to sleep while I’m emoting

5. Doesn’t re-tell same joke too many times

6. Is in good enough shape to get off couch on weekends

7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear

8. Appreciates a good TV Dinner

9. Remembers your name on occasion

10. Shaves on some weekends

What I Want In A Man, (at age 62) (Slide 6)

1. Can see to drive after dark

2. Remembers where bathroom is

3. Doesn’t require much money for upkeep

4. Only snores lightly when awake (LOUDLY when asleep)

5. Forgets why he’s laughing

6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself

7. Usually wears some clothes

8. Likes soft foods

9. Remembers where he left his teeth

10. Remembers when...

What I Want In A Man, (at age 72) (Slide 7)

1. Breathing

I want to ask this morning, a variation of this phrase, (Slide 8) ‘What do you want in God at your current age?’

Over the next three weeks we will conclude our brief look at some phrases that I introduced you to in June from the ’51 Word Bible.’ (Slide 9) We are going to be examining the three phrases highlighted in red, ‘Abraham’s Faith, Joseph’s Dreams, and Joshua’s Conquests’ under the thematic heading of ‘Do You Believe?’

(Slide 10) When I was 18, I traveled a stretch of I-70 to the college I attended, 6 hours, 300 or so miles, and 2 states away 31 year ago this month. I was 18 and ready to take on the world.

In the years since I left home at 18, I have often reflected on the journey that my life has taken since then to places and through certain experiences. Places that I did not expect to go and experiences I did not expect to have.

In our main text for this morning we read, ‘It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance… (Slide 11) He went without knowing where he was going.’

Four things strike me about Abraham’s journey to where God was leading him (Slide 11a) 1. He knew there was a destination. 2. He took a known route. 3. He knew the goal. 4. But, he did not know the impact that it would have on him.

(Slide 12) The ultimate destination was here… what is today known as Israel. But Abraham had never been there and he knew nothing about the land. And until God told him, as we read in Genesis 12:7, where this land was, Abraham had to keep walking by faith until he arrived.

The route was most likely the well traveled route marked in red that would allow the numerous caravans of human beings and animals to be sustained along what is called ‘The Fertile Crescent.’ But as we read in Genesis 11:23, Abraham had traveled on a portion of it with his father to the place called Haran. There was still more to the journey.