Here are a few words spoken by Paul that say a lot.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
A much longer way of saying this: I focus on Jesus for strength, forgiveness, guidance, moving forward with determination. This means effort, resilience and faith to grow closer to Christlikeness every day. It means refusing to give up, even when life feels hard or uncertain. There is a prize. Eternal life with living in His presence now and achieving the purpose He created me for. It is a joy to serve Christ now and forever. Paul makes a universal call for all believers to pursue holiness, love others, and serve God’s purpose.
Paul said it succinctly.
Now for a town where the cruise liners stop, Rüdesheim am Rhein. The train lines hold the bank of the river as do the cafés but then walk up the cobbled narrow streets, and there one finds the shops, and a museum with a story.
Siegfried Wendel was a social worker in Mainz- Gustavsburg then in the mid-1960s he went on honeymoon to Los Angeles. There he and his new wife went to an open-air museum, featuring player pianos and other automated instruments. He was smitten.
He returned to Germany and as a hobby started collecting and restoring as many instruments as he could. He found them in barns, on estates, forgotten carnival sites. His passion to collect and restore eventually took up all his time and he set up the first museum of its kind in Germany. He sadly passed in 2016 aged 81 leaving his family to carry on his cultural legacy.
The building where the museum is housed.
A group of restored mechanical instruments and…
Newspaper articles about Siegfried Wendel and his passion.
And this is where since 2002, the remains of the Hindenburg Bridge have formed the eastern most point of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Nothing remains of the bridge in the water but local people would very much like a cycle/walking bridge across to Bingen.
Here is what Dylan Thomas said about letting go of the past.
‘ When one burns one’s bridges, what a very nice fire it makes.’
And here the cruise liners moor.
A pleasant town, Rüdesheim am Rhein and I can’t resist giving this advice:’ We will cross that bridge when we come to it!’
Take care,
Sandy 🙂
Ps
Look up a side street and past the tower we are in vineyard country.