My dad, who passed on about 45 years ago, would be about 110 years old if he were still kicking around here on earth with the rest of us, and because it was a different time -- he lived a different life than what we live today.  I don't ever remember him lecturing me on how I need to continually try to improve myself, especially with things that can improve my life in the future, but I remember how he was always learning and studying about new things -- how to do this, or how to manage that -- he just enjoyed improving himself,  I feel like my Heavenly Father is also pleased when I strive to improve myself.   Not improvement in a selfish way -- but improving myself as a part of a community -- a neighbor, a spouse, a friend, a parent, a fellow worker, etc.

     Of course we have a short-term future, and we have a long-term future, and even an eternal future.  So, it would seem like we should put more emphasis on the long term than the short term, when we can afford such a luxury; and the eternal more than anything.  But even when we can't afford to invest resources on the long term-- we can surely afford some thought, especially on the eternal.

      I love thinking about and preparing myself for the eternal, it brings me more completeness and wholeness than anything else.

     Of course I don't just fantasize about the eternal.  I try to understand what it might be like, what will be the things that I will be able to improve during that time?  How will we think, or do we think since we won't have amortal mind?  Will our spirit be involved in our "thinking," how involved with our "thinking" is our spirit currently involved?  I suspect that a large part of what we will do in eternity is improve ourselves in the sight of Almighty God, such as improving our faith and our love for one another.  Jesus scarified Himself for me, that's a picture of perfect faith and love; I've got some work to do, and an eternity to do it, beginning now.

      Also, my grandma taught me that job worth doing is worth doing right.  Both of these people also happened to be some of the most spiritually grounded with Almighty God.  Coincidence?  Yeah, I didn't think so either.

      Our bible is covered in stories about men and women who devoted themselves to their work, their improvement for God's glory, and God blessed them.

 

                    See ya, Sunday, and every day – on the internet! www.facebook.com/timthepastor.

                                                      All glory and honor to God! 
                                                     Peace and blessings, Tim.