Down the Road

     The bridge that brought us together almost daily was just Down the Road.  It was a small, two lane road, not a super highway but busy enough,  primarily bringing the local traffic into our little village. Two lanes was plenty of space for the vehicles driving here and there.   Our road was paved and occasionally touched up with blacktop.  The hot summer sun would make it bubble up drawing our steps to see how may blisters of tar we could pop.  The edges of the road varied.  Grass or gravel was the primary sidewalk to be found, with the occasional ditch or high grass from a nearby field.  The only sidewalk of cement was down by the school closer to town. 
     This small town road brought us together so many years ago to meet up with each over and over again.  Sometimes we would meet "half-way", other times our adventures led us to that particular location we decided to meet while talking on our quick bus ride home from school.  The purpose of our rendezvous always being to spend time talking, sharing events of the day, or just hanging out and having fun.  Over the years we have moved away, some are still close to our little yellow bridge that was just down the road, others are many miles away.  My hope is that our new yellow bridge will connect the gap between us allowing us to spend time once again sharing with each other and being an encouragement as we travel down this road of life.
     I know we all have a lot to share with each other.  Each of us have had beautiful wonderful moments of life that have taken our breath away.  We've also faced some huge mountains that we never ever thought we could conquer.  Some of these things have occurred from the choices we've made, while others happened as no result of our own.  Lessons learned are not always easy, they stretch and grow us in ways we didn't know we could bend.  Each of the things we have faced and will face change us, mature us and effect our lives in one way or another.  Our decisions, choices, words, and actions not only have an aftermath for us; but there will be a ripple that will also fallout on those around us.  I have been so very blessed with good family and friends.  Many have shared and taught me valuable lessons through my life with their words, actions, choices, decisions and more. 
     The most important thing that ever impacted my life was "walking down the Roman's Road." Some of you know what this is, and I hope and pray that you are walking this road with me.  Others are probably wondering what on earth I am talking about.  The Roman's Road is a series of verses in the Bible that make it clear on how to get to Heaven.  I know we all agree that all of our "human lives" will end the same.  We will all face death, whether it be in youth or old age; we will all pass away.  Do you ever think about what happens to us after we die?  My belief is based on what I have learned from the Bible.  I believe when we die we will either go to Heaven or to hell.  I believe in eternal salvation (going to Heaven) and eternal damnation (going to Hell).  The Bible is very clear that these places exist.  It is also clear the God loved us so much that He sent is Son to die for us in order to give us eternal life.

John 3:16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

It blows my mind to think that the Creator of all cares enough and loves us enough to want us in Heaven with Him when we die. He isn't forcing Himself on us but has given us the freedom to chose whether we spend our "after life" with Him.  Salvation is a gift to us - free for the taking.  It's our choice how we will end, where we will go.  I'm a big fan of happiness, joy, peace, love, goodness and gentleness which are just a few incentives that come from chosing the high road.

Here is the Romans Road as presented to me at a young age which sent me on my journey.  Becoming a Christian doesn't mean your life will magically be trouble free - it does mean however you will have an incredible peace that will pass all understanding helping you on your journey.  I love you, my friend, and hope we travel this same road in this life and beyond. 

It is so simple to step on to this road... 
1.  We have all sinned  (done wrong)
          Romans 3:23   For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
          Romans 3:10   As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

2.  The price or result of sin is death
          Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3.  Jesus Christ died for our sins, paying the price for our death
          Romans 5:8   But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

4.  We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ
          Romans 10:9   That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
          Romans 10:13   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

5.  Salvation through Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship of peace with God
          Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
          Romans 8:1   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:38-39   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Which direction are you headed?