Bucket Lists and the Desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart
Last summer I wrote about my bucket list (6/14/11 blog). Last night I met with a long-time friend going through some tough stuff in his life and consequently struggling in his spiritual walk. I challenged both his view of his situation and how he sees God working in his life. We had a rousing discussion!
Over the years I have simplified what a spiritual walk is. I have decided that walking everyday Honest, Open and Willing (HOW – see my 8/5/09 blog) before God enables and empowers me to fulfill every Biblical command and to stay connected to and directed by Him.  As I keep focused on Him and not on people, places and things, I can practice HOW. This isn’t rocket science and no one ever confused me with a rocket scientist – but it really works.
So back to my pretty much non-existent bucket list. Beyond the fulfillment I feel in my marriage, my job, and my ministry, my archaeological work in the Holy Land is a lifelong “desire of my heart.” I have gone so many times, I have lost count! And, God willing, I am taking one more trip.
Helping Up Mission board member Stuart Erdman and I are leading a Study Tour to the Holy Land at the end of October 2012. HUM Executive Director Bob Gehman and a number of HUM friends are also going with us. The trip is not sponsored by Helping Up Mission, but organized by a bunch of us affiliated with it. We still have some room and Bob said it was okay for me to share this with you in my blog. Click the link http://community.helpingupmission.org/document.doc?id=123 and take a look – just in case this is one of the “desires of your heart” or on your bucket list.
Still one day at a time,
Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director