The newly finished roof, leaks, the dog is sick, and I have a chronic back pain that makes it hard to sit in one place for very long. My business is completely dead and the bills are mounting on a pile on top of my desk. In total distress I turn on the television in hopes of getting my mind off all my problems, at least for a little while. Turning the station, I am drawn to a program where a couple is buying a vacation home. They're bored with their ocean front home in Florida! So, they're looking for a home between $600,000 to $900,000 in Nevada where they can gamble and go to the extravagant shows on the Las Vegas strip.
I was totally captivated wondering just how fantastic it would be just to have the ability to own a home priced at their vacation house sum. Amazed at their extravagant lifestyle I questioned God as to why they are allowed to have such riches when I can't even afford health care. God don't you care about me? I don't understand why some people can have everything they want and the rest of us struggle day to day!
Psalm 49: 16-20, "Don't be upset when a man becomes rich, when his wealth grows even greater; he cannot take it with him when he dies; his wealth will not go with him to the grave. Even if a man is satisfied with this life and is praised because he is successful, he will join all his ancestors in death, where the darkness lasts forever. A man's greatness cannot keep him from death; he will still die like the animals."
As I continued to watch the television program, the couple chose a brand new $700,000 vacation home over looking a golf course with a beautiful mountain view in the back ground. The wife complained that they were also over looking some new construction. The realtor quickly explained that it would all be completed in a few short months. The rich woman nodded in reply, but you could tell that she wasn't happy about the amount of time. My mind was astonished at her complaint all the time thinking how excellent it would be if I was in a nice new clean development with perfect landscaping, beautiful brick pavement, and nice new roads.
Psalm 49: 10-12, "Anyone can see that even wise men die, as well as foolish and stupid men. They all leave their riches to their descendants. Their graves are their homes forever; there they stay for all time, though they once had lands of their own. A man's greatness cannot keep him from death; he will still die like the animals."
I live in a sixty year old house on a street where people aren't interested in having nice yards. It would be awesome if they just hauled away their junk and occasionally mowed their yards. Every window in my house has a view that overlooks run down homes, old cars and crumbling roads and sidewalks. Just thinking about my location made me even more upset over this couples ability to live such an extravagant lifestyle. If God loves all people the same, then why are they so rich, while most people are so poor?
Psalm 49: 13-15, "See what happens to those who trust in themselves, the fate of those who are satisfied with their wealth-they are doomed to die like sheep, and Death will be their shepherd. The righteous will triumph over them, as their bodies quickly decay in the world of the dead far from their homes. But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death."
I turned the television station in disgust and the Evening News was showing pictures of a devastating flood. Thousands of families were displaced from their homes. They were pleading with the authorities to let them just go back to their homes long enough to get the few personal possessions that escaped damage from the flood. The faces and stories told by the people quickly snapped me out of my mood of utter contempt for the rich couple and their newly acquired vacation home. My mind now was focused on their pain wondering what I could do to help them.
Psalm 49: 5-9, "I am not afraid in times of danger when I am surrounded by enemies, by evil men who trust in their riches. And boast of their great wealth. A person can never redeem himself; he cannot pay God the price for his life, because the payment for a human life is too great. What he could pay would never be enough to keep him from the grave, to let him live forever."
My feelings over my lack of things got the best of me when I indulged myself in television programs containing the lives of the rich. Seeing the anguish of people in pain after the devastation of a flood made me focus on what was really important in life. Suddenly a steady stream of revelations once again made me focus on the purpose of our world in the first place. We are not here to live a perfect life with beautiful extravagant mansions. We are not here to indulge in excessive riches and what they can buy.
1 Peter 1: 3-5, "Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away. They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time."
My heart goes out to all the flood victims. Most of all my love and compassion for those who have lost everything reveals the change that has happened in my own life as I strive to imitate Christ. I don't care about the riches of this world for I am building a mansion in the perfection of heaven.
1 Peter 1: 6& 7, "Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed."
The victims of the flood are blessed because their faith in God is being tested by the refining fire of the flood. Questions like these become answered: "If I lost everything would I still trust Jesus? Yes! If I had to start all over again would I be a story to others about what I have overcome?" A shout out loud, "Yes! Most of all would I praise God in the assembly of people, even when it seemed that He had abandoned me in the flood?" A resounding, "Yes, Yes!"
This world is more than what it seems. It is not about personal wealth or if you are famous. It is about growing, learning and most of all achieving the greatest goal of them all, 'Your Life Purpose!' Many people are so changed by what they suffer that they completely change their lives. They become fireman, policeman, medical personnel, social workers, and missionaries, whose main goal in life is to help those who are in need. They volunteer in hospitals, rest homes, and school systems where children need a role model in their lives. They are people who show the world that every bad thing that happens in their lives, just makes them stronger.
1 Peter 1: 8&9, " You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him."
The News, told many stories of people who were thankful because God had saved their family from the flood. Stories of victory among the chaos. Stories of strength as many declared that they would rebuild again. Stories of people who didn't become victims of the flood, but examples to the world of what you can overcome when God is the center of your life.
The tests I have endured during my life have changed me. Making me care about people and not about the riches of this world that will soon pass away. Believing in God and trusting Him with my problems, fixed my leaky roof, took care of my dog and miraculously healed my back.
The decision to take a vacation is freeing. Once you’ve told yourself you’re going to do it, a weight lifts; and that’s just a teaser for how you’ll feel once you’re actually stepping off the plane and into the sun-dappled fantasy land that will be hosting you. Each step in the planning process allows the excitement to build a bit, so enjoy the chance to arrange this much-needed trip. Start with the location and work your way up to lodgings; if you happen to think that Cyprus is where you’re headed, then prepare to truly enjoy setting it all up.
Paphos is the western, and especially tourist-friendly, region of this Myth-loving Mediterranean isle, and within it exists Chlorakas. This privileged area is where savvy travelers stay, as there are dozens of vacation rentals to choose from and it provides convenience to the town, ancient ruins, the mountains and the beach. There’s a little bit of everything here, including an appreciation for the process of taking things down a notch. At the pace you’ve certainly been hurtling at, this will be welcoming indeed.
Paphos is all about showing visitors a good time, but not in an inauthentic kind of way. The ancient basilicas, ruins, monuments and museums were not placed there so that foreigners could ooh and aah over them before buying a few souvenir t-shirts and knickknacks. Rather, this island is the real deal (well, there’s no actual proof that Aphrodite was born in the waters off the coast as they say) and it’s impossible to depart without a greater sense of history and culture and a richer view of the world.
This is all pretty much a given; Cyprus is beautiful and more interesting than the average island thanks to all the European, Asian and African influences that have come together over the years. Still up in the air though, are your accommodations. Not every place to stay is as nice as the next, so put a little time into making sure that you and your companions can nestle into a nifty spot that will make you as comfortable, if not more so, as if you were in your own house.
If the concept of a vacation rental is new to you, then picking one in Chlorakas as your first will be quite a treat. As opposed to a hotel room, often just a simple layout, uninspired decorations, little to no extra space and close neighbors, vacation properties take things to the next level. You’ll soon see that you don’t gave to be rich, famous or descended from the gods to have a master suite, tons of light, a full kitchen, ample storage and access to extras like a pool, a hot tub and a grill of your very own. Renters find themselves on cloud nine as they drift through the rooms of their first condo, villa or apartment, so be prepared to find a goofy smile on your face for at least the first few minutes.
Chlorakas Vacation Rentals come in all shape and size, so if you’re traveling with a group pick one that will give the most elbow room and if it’s just you and your honey bunny then find one that’s nice and cozy. You’ll be a short walk or drive from shopping, sightseeing, beach activities and monument-ogling, but save a little time to kick back on the patio with your beverage of choice, letting the calm of the ocean seep into your pores. Between the warm sun, friendly locals and ease with which you’ll find your way around, you might never want to go home.
Go online to imagine yourself unpacking your bags in each vacation rental. You’ll know the right one when you see it, and believe that this will be the most pleasurable planning process you’ve ever undertaken. Not to mention the actual trip itself….
Both Linda Dipman & Caitlin Moore are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Linda Dipman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Marriage and Social Issues. Linda C Dipman author of The Game Of Life It's Almost Over presents And His Love Shone Down, my true life story! It describes. Linda Dipman's top article generates over 1830000 views. to your Favourites.
Caitlin Moore has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food And Drink, Travel and Leisure and Vacation Rentals. Enjoy your next holiday to the extreme by visiting HomeAway.com today and reserving a vacation rental.. Caitlin Moore's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.