Thought for the day
The story is told of the following exchange in a local auto part store. A lady came in and asked for a seven ten cap.
The men behind the counter all looked at each other and said, "What's a seven ten cap?"
She said "You know, it's right on the engine. Mine got lost somehow and I need a new one."
"What kind of a car is it on?," they asked. They were thinking maybe an old Datsun Seven Ten but no, she said, "It's a Buick."
"OK lady, how big is it?"She made a circle with her hands about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
"What does it do?," they asked.
She said, "I don't know, but its always been there."One of them gave her a note pad and asked her if she could draw a picture of it. So she made a circle about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and in the center she wrote "710".
The guys behind the counter were looking at it upside down as she wrote it...and they just fell down behind the counter laughing hard in hysterics.
One guy said, "I think you want an oil cap."
She said, "Seven Ten cap, oil cap, I don't care what you call it, I just need one, and I don't see what is so funny about it."
That story reminds me of the fact that Christianity is an upside-down religion. The apostles themselves were accused of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). It's not surprising that they would be accused of that. In a world where selfishness and arrogance is the norm, Jesus taught humility and service. In a world where power and dominance is the norm, Jesus taught submission. In a world filled with hate, Jesus taught love. In a world consumed by greed and materialism, Jesus taught contentedness and sharing. In a world filled with filth, Jesus taught purity of heart.
It's an upside-down religion that will make no sense to many. We are tempted to look around us and regard what we see as the "real world" where the attitudes and actions that are so prominent are necessary to cope. But, if we will let go of the "reality" that we see in the world around us, and allow ourselves to be turned "upside-down", we will discover a whole new world, another dimension to life that we never imagined possible.
"Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6:20-23)
Have you experienced the adventure that comes from living life upside-down?
Verses
Numbers 23:19
God is no man to break his word, no mortal to change his mind; he promises, and does he not perform? Does he not carry out his word?
Acts 28:8-9
And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is beyond man's power; but God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will, with every temptation, provide the way of escape also, so that you may be able to withstand.
Matthew 21:22
You can get anything -- anything you ask for in prayer -- if you believe."
2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: The person who plants only a few seeds will harvest very little, but the man who plants a lot of seeds will gather a great harvest.
Prayer
Our Father and God, help us to live our life in a way that does not gratify our flesh, but rather feeds our spirit that is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. You have given us opportunity to make a positive difference in this degenerate world. May we, by word and example, bring light into this darkened, sin-indulged world. May the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, be evident in our lives so that these attitudes bring about good deeds which glorify You, Father. Others will look at our lives and see beyond our human frailties to recognize the Spirit of God that is at work in us. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday prayer & verses (28 01 2010)
Thought for the day
Those of you who are even mildly acquainted with Olympic history will recognize the name of Jesse Owens. At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Owens was the United States' response to the German leaders' claim for "Aryan superiority." He achieved international fame by winning four gold medals; one each in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, the long jump, and for being part of the 4x100 meter relay team.
However, you may not have heard the story behind his long jump competition. It was a competition he seemed certain to win. After all, the year before, Owens had jumped 26 feet, 8 1/4 inches -- a record that would stand for 25 years. But at the 1936 Olympics, he was almost out of the long jump shortly after qualifying began. Owens fouled on his first two jumps. A third foul and he would have been out of the competition.As he walked to the long-jump pit, Owens saw a tall, blue-eyed, blond German taking practice jumps in the 26-foot range. Owens felt nervous. He was acutely aware of the Nazis' desire to prove "Aryan superiority," especially over blacks. At this point, the tall German introduced himself as Luz Long.
"You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed!" he said to Owens. Then Long made a suggestion. Since the qualifying distance was only 23 feet, 5 1/2 inches, why not make a mark several inches before the takeoff board and jump from there, just to play it safe?
Owens took the advice from his stiffest competition and qualified easily. In the finals that afternoon, Jesse Owens won the gold medal with a jump of 26-5½. The first to congratulate the Olympic record holder was Luz Long.
Owens said, "It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler. You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-karat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment."
I wonder -- in the church, do we more often view ourselves as competitors who are trying to do better or look better than the next guy, or as friends who are there to encourage others to accomplish what we know they can do (even if it surpasses our efforts)?What great value there is in having (and being) a real friend. Solomon said, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Indeed, woe to the man who doesn't have a friend -- someone he can talk to, someone he can lean on, someone he can pour his heart out to. Writer Patrick Morley has made a stinging observation. He said that while most men could recruit six pallbearers, "hardly anyone has a friend he can call at 2:00 A.M.
"Let me ask you, "Do you have a friend you can call at 2:00 in the morning?" More importantly, are you that kind of friend to others? Solomon said that "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17). Who do you have in your life that you can turn to without hesitation in the midst of adversity? Who do you know that can confidently turn to you?
We need to be reminded by the example of Luz Long that we were not created by God to compete with one another; we were created to encourage and exhort one another. God intended for us to be (and have) friends.
Verses
2 Corinthians 4:18
And so we keep our eyes on the things we can't see instead of what we see, because the things we see last for just a short time, but the things we don't see last forever.
Romans 4:19
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich. He keeps the agreement he promised to your ancestors. So it is today.
Colossians 4:2
Persevere in prayer, but also be inwardly attentive while you pray.
Proverbs 10:22
Of the Lord's gift comes wealth without drudgery.
Prayer
Father, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Without it we would walk in darkness and be led astray. We want to give attention to Your Word, respect its message, and follow its instruction so that we will not drift from the truth. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Those of you who are even mildly acquainted with Olympic history will recognize the name of Jesse Owens. At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Owens was the United States' response to the German leaders' claim for "Aryan superiority." He achieved international fame by winning four gold medals; one each in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, the long jump, and for being part of the 4x100 meter relay team.
However, you may not have heard the story behind his long jump competition. It was a competition he seemed certain to win. After all, the year before, Owens had jumped 26 feet, 8 1/4 inches -- a record that would stand for 25 years. But at the 1936 Olympics, he was almost out of the long jump shortly after qualifying began. Owens fouled on his first two jumps. A third foul and he would have been out of the competition.As he walked to the long-jump pit, Owens saw a tall, blue-eyed, blond German taking practice jumps in the 26-foot range. Owens felt nervous. He was acutely aware of the Nazis' desire to prove "Aryan superiority," especially over blacks. At this point, the tall German introduced himself as Luz Long.
"You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed!" he said to Owens. Then Long made a suggestion. Since the qualifying distance was only 23 feet, 5 1/2 inches, why not make a mark several inches before the takeoff board and jump from there, just to play it safe?
Owens took the advice from his stiffest competition and qualified easily. In the finals that afternoon, Jesse Owens won the gold medal with a jump of 26-5½. The first to congratulate the Olympic record holder was Luz Long.
Owens said, "It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler. You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-karat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment."
I wonder -- in the church, do we more often view ourselves as competitors who are trying to do better or look better than the next guy, or as friends who are there to encourage others to accomplish what we know they can do (even if it surpasses our efforts)?What great value there is in having (and being) a real friend. Solomon said, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Indeed, woe to the man who doesn't have a friend -- someone he can talk to, someone he can lean on, someone he can pour his heart out to. Writer Patrick Morley has made a stinging observation. He said that while most men could recruit six pallbearers, "hardly anyone has a friend he can call at 2:00 A.M.
"Let me ask you, "Do you have a friend you can call at 2:00 in the morning?" More importantly, are you that kind of friend to others? Solomon said that "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17). Who do you have in your life that you can turn to without hesitation in the midst of adversity? Who do you know that can confidently turn to you?
We need to be reminded by the example of Luz Long that we were not created by God to compete with one another; we were created to encourage and exhort one another. God intended for us to be (and have) friends.
Verses
2 Corinthians 4:18
And so we keep our eyes on the things we can't see instead of what we see, because the things we see last for just a short time, but the things we don't see last forever.
Romans 4:19
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.
Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich. He keeps the agreement he promised to your ancestors. So it is today.
Colossians 4:2
Persevere in prayer, but also be inwardly attentive while you pray.
Proverbs 10:22
Of the Lord's gift comes wealth without drudgery.
Prayer
Father, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Without it we would walk in darkness and be led astray. We want to give attention to Your Word, respect its message, and follow its instruction so that we will not drift from the truth. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday prayer & verses (27 01 2010)
Thought for the day
I heard about a couple who had four children whom they had adopted, ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 5 years old. When they were expecting a fifth child by birth, the children were naturally full of questions. Will it be a boy or a girl? What color will this child be? What country will it come from? How old will it be? Will we meet it at the airport?
The parents tried to explain that this child would be born into the family, not adopted. The 5-year-old child said, "Oh, I get it. It's like a bubble gum machine. You just have to take what comes out."
I knew a fellow who was adopted when he was a baby. He was talking about how kids used to tease him about it when he was younger, but he learned quickly to respond by saying, "My Mom and Dad chose me. Your Mom and Dad just got stuck with you." He said it shut them up pretty quick.
There's a beauty in that concept that God, as our Father, adopted us; He chose us. And it wasn't because of how attracative we were. He chose you to be His child, not because you're better than anyone else or because you're more attractive than anyone else, but because by his grace and his calling he selected you. And he invited you to respond to that calling by faith and obedience.
There are several examples of adoption in the scriptures -- Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. But, to me, the most beautiful example was when Mephibosheth was adopted by David in 2 Samuel 9. The beauty of that particular adoption is that there was no motivation, no reason for David to do it other than out of his grace and his love. And in many ways, that adoption is similar to our adoption by God.
David took the initiative in finding Mephibosheth and bringing him to the palace. And although Mephibosheth was the son of David's closest friend, he was also the grandson of Saul, who had repeatedly tried to kill David. Perhaps most surprising of all is the fact that Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet, and was helpless to render David any significant service. And yet David brought this outcast, this reject of society, to dine at his table as his son and gave him a magnificent inheritance to which he was no longer legally entitled.
Adoption agencies will tell you that there's a big market for babies who are healthy. But for babies who are handicapped, mentally or physically, it's hard to find a family for them. I was thankful that God is not like that. None of us would stand much of a chance because we've all got handicaps of one form or another. We've all got blotches and imperfections. But the good news is that he's chosen us by grace. Just like David did with Mephibosheth, God, motivated solely by his grace and his love, seeks out unworthy men and women on his own initiative and offers us the opportunity to be his children.
"...I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters..." (2 Corinthians 6:17b-18).
Verses
Mark 11:23
you can say to this hill, 'Get up and throw yourself in the sea.' If you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you.
Deuteronomy 7:15
And the Lord will take away all your sickness and will not let you suffer any of the diseases of Egypt you remember so well; he will give them all to your enemies!
1 Peter 3:10
For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile;
Acts 10:4
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Proverbs 10:22
Of the Lord's gift comes wealth without drudgery.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the many Scriptures that reassure us we’re never alone, whether it’s during our mountain top experiences or in the valleys below. You promise that Your Spirit will never leave us nor forsake us, but You will be with us always. We are encouraged and strengthened by Your promises and Your presence. Amen.
I heard about a couple who had four children whom they had adopted, ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 5 years old. When they were expecting a fifth child by birth, the children were naturally full of questions. Will it be a boy or a girl? What color will this child be? What country will it come from? How old will it be? Will we meet it at the airport?
The parents tried to explain that this child would be born into the family, not adopted. The 5-year-old child said, "Oh, I get it. It's like a bubble gum machine. You just have to take what comes out."
I knew a fellow who was adopted when he was a baby. He was talking about how kids used to tease him about it when he was younger, but he learned quickly to respond by saying, "My Mom and Dad chose me. Your Mom and Dad just got stuck with you." He said it shut them up pretty quick.
There's a beauty in that concept that God, as our Father, adopted us; He chose us. And it wasn't because of how attracative we were. He chose you to be His child, not because you're better than anyone else or because you're more attractive than anyone else, but because by his grace and his calling he selected you. And he invited you to respond to that calling by faith and obedience.
There are several examples of adoption in the scriptures -- Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. But, to me, the most beautiful example was when Mephibosheth was adopted by David in 2 Samuel 9. The beauty of that particular adoption is that there was no motivation, no reason for David to do it other than out of his grace and his love. And in many ways, that adoption is similar to our adoption by God.
David took the initiative in finding Mephibosheth and bringing him to the palace. And although Mephibosheth was the son of David's closest friend, he was also the grandson of Saul, who had repeatedly tried to kill David. Perhaps most surprising of all is the fact that Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet, and was helpless to render David any significant service. And yet David brought this outcast, this reject of society, to dine at his table as his son and gave him a magnificent inheritance to which he was no longer legally entitled.
Adoption agencies will tell you that there's a big market for babies who are healthy. But for babies who are handicapped, mentally or physically, it's hard to find a family for them. I was thankful that God is not like that. None of us would stand much of a chance because we've all got handicaps of one form or another. We've all got blotches and imperfections. But the good news is that he's chosen us by grace. Just like David did with Mephibosheth, God, motivated solely by his grace and his love, seeks out unworthy men and women on his own initiative and offers us the opportunity to be his children.
"...I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters..." (2 Corinthians 6:17b-18).
Verses
Mark 11:23
you can say to this hill, 'Get up and throw yourself in the sea.' If you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you.
Deuteronomy 7:15
And the Lord will take away all your sickness and will not let you suffer any of the diseases of Egypt you remember so well; he will give them all to your enemies!
1 Peter 3:10
For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile;
Acts 10:4
And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
Proverbs 10:22
Of the Lord's gift comes wealth without drudgery.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the many Scriptures that reassure us we’re never alone, whether it’s during our mountain top experiences or in the valleys below. You promise that Your Spirit will never leave us nor forsake us, but You will be with us always. We are encouraged and strengthened by Your promises and Your presence. Amen.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday prayer & verses (26 01 2010)
Thought for the day
Bob had finally made it to the last round of the $1,000,000 Question TV Quiz Show. The night before the big question, he told the host that he wanted a question on American History.
The big night arrived. Bob made his way on stage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the town. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The host stepped up to the microphone."Bob, you have chosen American History as your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away one million dollars richer. Are you ready?"
Bob nodded with a cocky confidence -- the crowd went wild. He hadn't missed a question all week. "Bob, yours is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to take a stab at first?"
Bob was becoming more noticeably nervous, so he played it safe. "I'll try the easier part first."The host nodded approvingly. "Here we go, Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half." The audience grew silent with anticipation....."Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?"
So often in our spiritual lives, we want the "second part" first because it's easier without realizing that the "first part" is necessary before we can have the "second part. "Want some examples? We want the time of joy before we experience the time of grief (John 16:21). But Jesus told his apostles that the time of grief was as essential as the pain of childbirth is necessary before the joy of having a child (John 16:20).
We want to be forgiven by God without first being willing to forgive others. But Jesus taught that if we are not willing to do the "first part", we cannot expect the second part." (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35). Perhaps, most of all, we want the quality of patience without the testing of our faith that precedes it (even though that testing is an essential element to our attaining patience). This is not one of our favorite passages, but one that we need to be reminded of often:
"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need." (James 1:2-4, NCV).
The second part may be easier (and more pleasant), but sometimes the first part is essential.
Verses
Matthew 8:13
Jesus said to the captain, "Go your way. It is done for you even as you had faith to believe." The helper boy was healed at that time.
Matthew 8:17
so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bore our diseases.
1 Peter 1:23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
Mark 11:24
On this account I am saying to you, All things whatever you are praying and asking for, be believing that you received them, and they shall be yours.
2 Corinthians 9:10
And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity].
Prayer
Father, we know that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Help us to know that as we pray we can trust You to hear and answer our prayer in Your time and in Your way. We want to also remember that our time in prayer is not just for the benefit of those whom we pray for, but it is also powerful and effective in our personal relationship with You. Keep us humble, faithful and ever-trusting just like the servant girl who bore the burden of Naaman’s leprosy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Bob had finally made it to the last round of the $1,000,000 Question TV Quiz Show. The night before the big question, he told the host that he wanted a question on American History.
The big night arrived. Bob made his way on stage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the town. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The host stepped up to the microphone."Bob, you have chosen American History as your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away one million dollars richer. Are you ready?"
Bob nodded with a cocky confidence -- the crowd went wild. He hadn't missed a question all week. "Bob, yours is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to take a stab at first?"
Bob was becoming more noticeably nervous, so he played it safe. "I'll try the easier part first."The host nodded approvingly. "Here we go, Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half." The audience grew silent with anticipation....."Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?"
So often in our spiritual lives, we want the "second part" first because it's easier without realizing that the "first part" is necessary before we can have the "second part. "Want some examples? We want the time of joy before we experience the time of grief (John 16:21). But Jesus told his apostles that the time of grief was as essential as the pain of childbirth is necessary before the joy of having a child (John 16:20).
We want to be forgiven by God without first being willing to forgive others. But Jesus taught that if we are not willing to do the "first part", we cannot expect the second part." (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35). Perhaps, most of all, we want the quality of patience without the testing of our faith that precedes it (even though that testing is an essential element to our attaining patience). This is not one of our favorite passages, but one that we need to be reminded of often:
"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need." (James 1:2-4, NCV).
The second part may be easier (and more pleasant), but sometimes the first part is essential.
Verses
Matthew 8:13
Jesus said to the captain, "Go your way. It is done for you even as you had faith to believe." The helper boy was healed at that time.
Matthew 8:17
so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bore our diseases.
1 Peter 1:23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
Mark 11:24
On this account I am saying to you, All things whatever you are praying and asking for, be believing that you received them, and they shall be yours.
2 Corinthians 9:10
And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity].
Prayer
Father, we know that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Help us to know that as we pray we can trust You to hear and answer our prayer in Your time and in Your way. We want to also remember that our time in prayer is not just for the benefit of those whom we pray for, but it is also powerful and effective in our personal relationship with You. Keep us humble, faithful and ever-trusting just like the servant girl who bore the burden of Naaman’s leprosy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday prayer & verses (25 01 2010)
Thought for the day
Author of this story is unknown.
My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily" in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house, and as soon as one of then discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding with blue food coloring. "Shmily" was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave "shmily" on the very last sheet.T
here was no end to the places "shmily" would pop up. Little notes with "shmily" scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. "Shmily" was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace.
This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparents' house as the furniture. It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparent's game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love -- one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection which not everyone is lucky enough to experience.
Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome an old man he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew "how to pick 'em." Before every meal they bowed heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings: a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in my grandparents' life: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared 10 years earlier. As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that color so she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside. Now the cancer was once again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather's steady hand, they still went to church every Sunday morning. But my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife. Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone.
"Shmily." It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time. Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her. Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew then that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.
S-h-m-i-l-y: See How Much I Love You.
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for letting me see. What a beautiful story! And what a valuable lesson is contained here about the importance of true and lasting love in a marriage relationship. But allow me to head in a different direction for just a moment.
When Jesus was crucified, a sign was posted above his head which said, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews." That sign was posted by Pilate. Had God posted the sign, it would have been appropriate for it to say, "Shmily." For indeed the cross shows us just how much love God had for us. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (I John 4:9)" But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
If you ever question God's love for you, take a close look at the cross and listen as God says to us,
"See How Much I Love You."
Verses
1 Peter 5:7
Throw all your cares on Him, for He will take care of you.
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You have healed me.
1 Corinthians 10:13
You have not so far been waylaid by any temptation that is not common to all humanity. God is to be relied upon: He will not let you be tempted above your capacity to resist. When He allows you to be tempted He will always provide some way out of it, so that you need not be overcome.
Philemon 1:22
But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Romans 10:12
There is no distinction made here between Jew and Gentile; all alike have one Lord, and he has enough and to spare for all those who call upon him.
Prayer
Father, though Satan has a sinister and deceitful scheme for our lives we will not fear. Your guidance for us in discerning his evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire Bible. Not only do we receive warning through the prophets, the disciples and other people of faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example of One who resisted the temptations of the evil one. His time of testing in the wilderness and in the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance to temptation brings present and future reward. Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me, You want me so that You can save me, here and now, and in the hereafter. Thank You for providing spiritual armor that protects me from the evil one. Amen.
Author of this story is unknown.
My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily" in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house, and as soon as one of then discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding with blue food coloring. "Shmily" was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave "shmily" on the very last sheet.T
here was no end to the places "shmily" would pop up. Little notes with "shmily" scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. "Shmily" was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace.
This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparents' house as the furniture. It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparent's game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love -- one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection which not everyone is lucky enough to experience.
Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome an old man he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew "how to pick 'em." Before every meal they bowed heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings: a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in my grandparents' life: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared 10 years earlier. As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that color so she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside. Now the cancer was once again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather's steady hand, they still went to church every Sunday morning. But my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife. Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone.
"Shmily." It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time. Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her. Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew then that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.
S-h-m-i-l-y: See How Much I Love You.
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for letting me see. What a beautiful story! And what a valuable lesson is contained here about the importance of true and lasting love in a marriage relationship. But allow me to head in a different direction for just a moment.
When Jesus was crucified, a sign was posted above his head which said, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews." That sign was posted by Pilate. Had God posted the sign, it would have been appropriate for it to say, "Shmily." For indeed the cross shows us just how much love God had for us. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (I John 4:9)" But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
If you ever question God's love for you, take a close look at the cross and listen as God says to us,
"See How Much I Love You."
Verses
1 Peter 5:7
Throw all your cares on Him, for He will take care of you.
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You have healed me.
1 Corinthians 10:13
You have not so far been waylaid by any temptation that is not common to all humanity. God is to be relied upon: He will not let you be tempted above your capacity to resist. When He allows you to be tempted He will always provide some way out of it, so that you need not be overcome.
Philemon 1:22
But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Romans 10:12
There is no distinction made here between Jew and Gentile; all alike have one Lord, and he has enough and to spare for all those who call upon him.
Prayer
Father, though Satan has a sinister and deceitful scheme for our lives we will not fear. Your guidance for us in discerning his evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire Bible. Not only do we receive warning through the prophets, the disciples and other people of faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example of One who resisted the temptations of the evil one. His time of testing in the wilderness and in the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance to temptation brings present and future reward. Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me, You want me so that You can save me, here and now, and in the hereafter. Thank You for providing spiritual armor that protects me from the evil one. Amen.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday prayer & verses (22 01 2010)
Thought for the day
One teacher asked her young pupils after Christmas break how they spent their holidays. One small boy wrote the following:
We always spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick home, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people. They all live in little tin boxes.
They ride on big three-wheeled tricycles and they all wear name tags because they don't know who they are. They go to a big building called a wrecked hall; but if it was wrecked they got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and they do exercise there but they don't do them very good.
There is a swimming pool there. They go into it and just stand there with their hats on. I guess they don't know how to swim. As you go into their park here is a doll house with a little man sitting in it. He watches all day so they can't go out without him seeing them. When they can sneak out they go to the beach and pick up shells they think are dollars.
My Grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody cooks, they just eat out. They eat the same thing every night -- "early birds". Some of the people are so retarded they don't know how to cook at all so my Grandma and Grandpa bring food into the wrecked hall and they call it "pot luck".
My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life and earned his retardment. I wish they would move back up here, but I guess the little man in the doll house won't let them out.
That's certainly a unique view of retirement! I suppose most of us look forward to the time when we can retire and take it easy. As long as we don't retire from serving God! I love reading about Caleb in the book of Joshua. Caleb is best known for being one of the two faithful spies as the Israelites first approached the land of Canaan. Not only was he an example of faith in his youth, but in his old age as well.
Caleb said to Joshua, "And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said." (Joshua 14:10-12).
What a great example! At the age of 85, Caleb requested the most difficult mountain in Canaan to conquer, with faith that God would be with him. And he took it!
Very few of us will be fortunate enough to have that kind of strength at the age of 85, but we can be fully committed to doing all we can for God at whatever age we may be, young or old.
Verses
1 John 5:4
because anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world; this is the victory over the world -- our faith.
Psalm 103:2-3
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will not come to want; But he who shuts his eyes against them will have many a curse.
Prayer
Father, we know that drinking of fresh water is essential to our health, and without it we battle bodily disease and struggle to survive. Drinking from the springs of living water is also essential to our spirit as we battle sin diseases of pride, jealousy, rage, bitterness, lying and so many other carnal attitudes that can result in spiritual death. As we drink from the springs of living water we flush out those sin diseases that would seek to destroy us. Scripture assures us that we will be fully alive in Your Spirit as we drink regularly from Your life giving streams of living water. Amen.
One teacher asked her young pupils after Christmas break how they spent their holidays. One small boy wrote the following:
We always spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick home, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people. They all live in little tin boxes.
They ride on big three-wheeled tricycles and they all wear name tags because they don't know who they are. They go to a big building called a wrecked hall; but if it was wrecked they got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and they do exercise there but they don't do them very good.
There is a swimming pool there. They go into it and just stand there with their hats on. I guess they don't know how to swim. As you go into their park here is a doll house with a little man sitting in it. He watches all day so they can't go out without him seeing them. When they can sneak out they go to the beach and pick up shells they think are dollars.
My Grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody cooks, they just eat out. They eat the same thing every night -- "early birds". Some of the people are so retarded they don't know how to cook at all so my Grandma and Grandpa bring food into the wrecked hall and they call it "pot luck".
My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life and earned his retardment. I wish they would move back up here, but I guess the little man in the doll house won't let them out.
That's certainly a unique view of retirement! I suppose most of us look forward to the time when we can retire and take it easy. As long as we don't retire from serving God! I love reading about Caleb in the book of Joshua. Caleb is best known for being one of the two faithful spies as the Israelites first approached the land of Canaan. Not only was he an example of faith in his youth, but in his old age as well.
Caleb said to Joshua, "And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said." (Joshua 14:10-12).
What a great example! At the age of 85, Caleb requested the most difficult mountain in Canaan to conquer, with faith that God would be with him. And he took it!
Very few of us will be fortunate enough to have that kind of strength at the age of 85, but we can be fully committed to doing all we can for God at whatever age we may be, young or old.
Verses
1 John 5:4
because anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world; this is the victory over the world -- our faith.
Psalm 103:2-3
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will not come to want; But he who shuts his eyes against them will have many a curse.
Prayer
Father, we know that drinking of fresh water is essential to our health, and without it we battle bodily disease and struggle to survive. Drinking from the springs of living water is also essential to our spirit as we battle sin diseases of pride, jealousy, rage, bitterness, lying and so many other carnal attitudes that can result in spiritual death. As we drink from the springs of living water we flush out those sin diseases that would seek to destroy us. Scripture assures us that we will be fully alive in Your Spirit as we drink regularly from Your life giving streams of living water. Amen.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Thursday prayer & verses (21 01 2010)
Thought for the day
I have heard many different versions of the following story. This particular variation comes from "Chicken Soup For the Soul".
There once was an eager student who wanted to gain wisdom and insight. He went to the wisest of the town, Socrates, to seek his counsel. Socrates was an old soul and had great knowledge of many things. The boy asked the town sage how he too could acquire such mastery. Being a man of few words, Socrates chose not to speak, but to illustrate.He took the child to the beach and, with all of his clothes still on, walked straight out into the water. He loved to do curious things like that, especially when he was trying to prove a point.
The pupil gingerly followed his instruction and walked into the sea, joining Socrates where the water was just below their chins. Without saying a word, Socrates reached out and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. Looking deep into his student’s eyes, Socrates pushed the student’s head under the water with all his might.A struggle ensued, and just before a life was taken away, Socrates released his captive.
The boy raced to the surface and, gasping for air and choking from the salt water, looked around for Socrates in order to seek his retaliation on the sage. To the student’s bewilderment, the old man was already patiently waiting on the beach. When the student arrived on the sand, he angrily shouted, "Why did you try to kill me?" The wise man calmly retorted with a question of his own: "Boy, when you were underneath the water, not sure if you would live to see another day, what did you want more than anything in the world?"
The student took a few moments to reflect, then went with his intuition. Softly he said, "I wanted to breathe." Socrates, now illuminated by his own huge smile, looked at the boy comfortingly and said,
"Ah! When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you wanted to breathe, it is then that you shall have it."
There is much of a spiritual nature that we do not receive because we don't want it enough. But, when we desire a knowledge of God's word, when we desire a close relationship with God, when we desire wisdom (the ability to make good decisions) to such extent that those things take first priority, when we truly want them more than anything else in the world, then they lie within our grasp.
Our problem often is that we desire them, but we also desire many other things. That's why Jesus told to rich young ruler to sell everything and follow him (Mark 10:21). He wanted to see how strong the young man's desire was."Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.' " (Matt. 16:24-25, NASV)."
Father, I confess that often in my life desire for other things has distracted me from my desire to have a close relationship with you. Please strengthen me that I may reach the point that being close to you means more than life itself. In Jesus' name, amen."
Verses
Romans 8:37
And yet -- and yet -- we come out on top every time through him who set his heart on us.
Exodus 15:26
And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer."
2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Timothy 6:17
Urge upon those who are wealthy in this life not to pride themselves, or fix their hopes, on so uncertain a thing as wealth, but on God, who gives us a wealth of enjoyment on every side.
Prayer
Father, year after year our lives are marked by change which brings growing transformation in our lives just as You rotate the seasons of the calendar bringing about distinct change in the weather pattern transforming all of nature. As Solomon writes, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Our pilgrimage includes a time for gain and a time for loss, a time for plenty and a time for want, a time of understanding and a time of perplexity, a time for listening and a time for speaking, a time for searching and a time for finding. In the midst of all these changes we are assured that You do not change, for You are the same yesterday, today and forever. And in all these changes we are assured that You are working for our good, for we know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose. We thank You for Your immutable nature that remains when all else changes. Amen.
I have heard many different versions of the following story. This particular variation comes from "Chicken Soup For the Soul".
There once was an eager student who wanted to gain wisdom and insight. He went to the wisest of the town, Socrates, to seek his counsel. Socrates was an old soul and had great knowledge of many things. The boy asked the town sage how he too could acquire such mastery. Being a man of few words, Socrates chose not to speak, but to illustrate.He took the child to the beach and, with all of his clothes still on, walked straight out into the water. He loved to do curious things like that, especially when he was trying to prove a point.
The pupil gingerly followed his instruction and walked into the sea, joining Socrates where the water was just below their chins. Without saying a word, Socrates reached out and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. Looking deep into his student’s eyes, Socrates pushed the student’s head under the water with all his might.A struggle ensued, and just before a life was taken away, Socrates released his captive.
The boy raced to the surface and, gasping for air and choking from the salt water, looked around for Socrates in order to seek his retaliation on the sage. To the student’s bewilderment, the old man was already patiently waiting on the beach. When the student arrived on the sand, he angrily shouted, "Why did you try to kill me?" The wise man calmly retorted with a question of his own: "Boy, when you were underneath the water, not sure if you would live to see another day, what did you want more than anything in the world?"
The student took a few moments to reflect, then went with his intuition. Softly he said, "I wanted to breathe." Socrates, now illuminated by his own huge smile, looked at the boy comfortingly and said,
"Ah! When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you wanted to breathe, it is then that you shall have it."
There is much of a spiritual nature that we do not receive because we don't want it enough. But, when we desire a knowledge of God's word, when we desire a close relationship with God, when we desire wisdom (the ability to make good decisions) to such extent that those things take first priority, when we truly want them more than anything else in the world, then they lie within our grasp.
Our problem often is that we desire them, but we also desire many other things. That's why Jesus told to rich young ruler to sell everything and follow him (Mark 10:21). He wanted to see how strong the young man's desire was."Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.' " (Matt. 16:24-25, NASV)."
Father, I confess that often in my life desire for other things has distracted me from my desire to have a close relationship with you. Please strengthen me that I may reach the point that being close to you means more than life itself. In Jesus' name, amen."
Verses
Romans 8:37
And yet -- and yet -- we come out on top every time through him who set his heart on us.
Exodus 15:26
And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer."
2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
1 Timothy 6:17
Urge upon those who are wealthy in this life not to pride themselves, or fix their hopes, on so uncertain a thing as wealth, but on God, who gives us a wealth of enjoyment on every side.
Prayer
Father, year after year our lives are marked by change which brings growing transformation in our lives just as You rotate the seasons of the calendar bringing about distinct change in the weather pattern transforming all of nature. As Solomon writes, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Our pilgrimage includes a time for gain and a time for loss, a time for plenty and a time for want, a time of understanding and a time of perplexity, a time for listening and a time for speaking, a time for searching and a time for finding. In the midst of all these changes we are assured that You do not change, for You are the same yesterday, today and forever. And in all these changes we are assured that You are working for our good, for we know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose. We thank You for Your immutable nature that remains when all else changes. Amen.
Wednesday prayer & verses (20 01 2010)
Thought for the day
"Say, Bill," a man said to his pal, "how do you like your new job?"
"It's the worst job I ever had."
"How long have you been there?"
"About three months."
"Why don't you quit?"
"No way. This is the first time in 20 years that I've looked forward to going home."
I feel the same way about living in this world. Sometimes people wonder why God didn't give us a "perfect" world in which to live. Of course, their idea of "perfect" means a world without pain, without suffering, without hatred, without all the things that sometimes make life miserable for us. Why couldn't God have made a better place for us?
I wouldn't dare attempt to explain it all in just a couple of short paragraphs, but I can say that living in this world with all of its trials and difficulties makes me look forward to going home. I look forward to the day when I will know no more suffering, but will rest in the arms of a loving Father. I look forward to the day when I don't see the consequences of sin all about me, but will enjoy the fellowship of God's family throughout all ages. Don't get me wrong -- life here is good, it's wonderful! But it can't compare with what waits for me. I'm looking forward to going home!
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3, NIV)
Verses
Mark 9:23
"If I can?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if you have faith."
Exodus 15:26
And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer."
Colossians 1:15
No one has seen God, but Jesus is exactly like him. Christ ranks higher than all the things that have been made.
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Psalm 112:1,3
Praise ye Jah! O the happiness of one fearing Jehovah, In His commands he hath delighted greatly. Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness is standing for ever.
Prayer
Father, we consider the role of John the Baptist who was forerunner of Your Son, Jesus. He was the voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord.” He prepared the hearts of men for Jesus’ coming and he surrendered his life even to death for his Master. May we have the same spirit as John who told his followers, “He must become greater; I must become less. The One who comes from above is above all.” We bow in surrender, adoration, and praise to the Christ child born in a manger who grew in favor with God and man, who laid down His life so that we might be raised to newness of life. For all that You are and all that You have done we give You thanks. In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
"Say, Bill," a man said to his pal, "how do you like your new job?"
"It's the worst job I ever had."
"How long have you been there?"
"About three months."
"Why don't you quit?"
"No way. This is the first time in 20 years that I've looked forward to going home."
I feel the same way about living in this world. Sometimes people wonder why God didn't give us a "perfect" world in which to live. Of course, their idea of "perfect" means a world without pain, without suffering, without hatred, without all the things that sometimes make life miserable for us. Why couldn't God have made a better place for us?
I wouldn't dare attempt to explain it all in just a couple of short paragraphs, but I can say that living in this world with all of its trials and difficulties makes me look forward to going home. I look forward to the day when I will know no more suffering, but will rest in the arms of a loving Father. I look forward to the day when I don't see the consequences of sin all about me, but will enjoy the fellowship of God's family throughout all ages. Don't get me wrong -- life here is good, it's wonderful! But it can't compare with what waits for me. I'm looking forward to going home!
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3, NIV)
Verses
Mark 9:23
"If I can?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if you have faith."
Exodus 15:26
And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer."
Colossians 1:15
No one has seen God, but Jesus is exactly like him. Christ ranks higher than all the things that have been made.
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Psalm 112:1,3
Praise ye Jah! O the happiness of one fearing Jehovah, In His commands he hath delighted greatly. Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness is standing for ever.
Prayer
Father, we consider the role of John the Baptist who was forerunner of Your Son, Jesus. He was the voice of one calling in the desert, “Make straight the way for the Lord.” He prepared the hearts of men for Jesus’ coming and he surrendered his life even to death for his Master. May we have the same spirit as John who told his followers, “He must become greater; I must become less. The One who comes from above is above all.” We bow in surrender, adoration, and praise to the Christ child born in a manger who grew in favor with God and man, who laid down His life so that we might be raised to newness of life. For all that You are and all that You have done we give You thanks. In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday prayer & verses (19 01 2010)
Thought for the day
A couple of weeks ago, I received the following message:
"You have just received the Gauteng Virus.'"
As we ain't got no programming experience, this virus works on the honor system." Please delete all the files from your hard drive and manually forward this virus to everyone on your mailing list.
"Thanks for your cooperation,"
Gauteng University Computer Engineering Dept.
(incidentally, feel free to substitute the city/town or province of your choice when you pass this on to your friends)
I thought this was humorous and passed it along to several of my friends. Shortly thereafter, I received the following brief message from one of them:
"Done. Is that all?"
The thought that someone might take the above joke seriously and follow its instructions caused me a moment of concern (after all, she is blond). Fortunately, she didn't erase any files and was just having fun with me in return. But that caused me to think about the many people who make the same mistake spiritually.
Solomon speaks often in the book of Proverbs about the need to listen to the advice of others. He is a fool who refuses to listen to others. But, he is also a fool who believes everything others say without evaluating the truthfulness of what is said. The Bible refers to this process of evaluating as "discernment."John warned, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4:1).
My prayer for each of you is the same one that Paul offered on behalf of the Philippians: "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment..." (Phil. 1:9)
Verses
1 John 5:4
Everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. It is our faith that wins the victory against the world.
Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
John 15:7
If you remain in union with me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you please and you shall have it.
Deuteronomy 8:18
but remember your God Jehovah, because it is he who gives you power to acquire wealth, in order to make good his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as he is doing today.
Prayer
Father, we serve You with our heart loving You above everything and everyone. We serve You with our soul, as it lives for all eternity. We serve You with our mind acknowledging that You are the Dispenser of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We serve You with our strength, knowing that when our strength weakens it is then that we truly find strength. We serve a supernatural God, so help us not to be drawn into the natural way of thinking or acting, but to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
A couple of weeks ago, I received the following message:
"You have just received the Gauteng Virus.'"
As we ain't got no programming experience, this virus works on the honor system." Please delete all the files from your hard drive and manually forward this virus to everyone on your mailing list.
"Thanks for your cooperation,"
Gauteng University Computer Engineering Dept.
(incidentally, feel free to substitute the city/town or province of your choice when you pass this on to your friends)
I thought this was humorous and passed it along to several of my friends. Shortly thereafter, I received the following brief message from one of them:
"Done. Is that all?"
The thought that someone might take the above joke seriously and follow its instructions caused me a moment of concern (after all, she is blond). Fortunately, she didn't erase any files and was just having fun with me in return. But that caused me to think about the many people who make the same mistake spiritually.
Solomon speaks often in the book of Proverbs about the need to listen to the advice of others. He is a fool who refuses to listen to others. But, he is also a fool who believes everything others say without evaluating the truthfulness of what is said. The Bible refers to this process of evaluating as "discernment."John warned, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4:1).
My prayer for each of you is the same one that Paul offered on behalf of the Philippians: "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment..." (Phil. 1:9)
Verses
1 John 5:4
Everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. It is our faith that wins the victory against the world.
Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
John 15:7
If you remain in union with me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you please and you shall have it.
Deuteronomy 8:18
but remember your God Jehovah, because it is he who gives you power to acquire wealth, in order to make good his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as he is doing today.
Prayer
Father, we serve You with our heart loving You above everything and everyone. We serve You with our soul, as it lives for all eternity. We serve You with our mind acknowledging that You are the Dispenser of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We serve You with our strength, knowing that when our strength weakens it is then that we truly find strength. We serve a supernatural God, so help us not to be drawn into the natural way of thinking or acting, but to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Monday prayer & verses (18/01/2010)
Thought for the day
A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26, 1997. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to the alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide." And for plenty of good reasons, since it can:
1. cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. it is a major component in acid rain
3. it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. accidental inhalation can kill you
5. it contributes to erosion
6. it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients
He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical dihydrogen monoxide. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that the chemical was...WATER!!!
The title of his prize winning project was, "How Gullible Are We?" The conclusion is obvious.
Religion is another area where people have a tendency to be gullible. Extreme examples can be found in David Koresh's followers and the Heaven's Gate cult. But it can happen any time we believe someone without checking out God's Word to see if what is being taught is the truth. Faith does not mean blindly accepting whatever anyone (even a preacher) says.John warned,
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4:1).Use God's Word to discern between what is true and what is false. And if you feel like living dangerously today, pour yourself a big tall glass of dihydrogen monoxide.
Verses
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, "I solemnly say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt at all, you will not only do the sort of wonder done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Get up and throw yourself into the sea,' it will be done.
Matthew 14:14
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
John 15:7
"If you abide in Me and allow My words to govern your prayer life, you can ask for anything you want and have it,
Psalm 34:9-10
Fear the LORD, you who are His holy ones, fear Him, and you will lack nothing. Young lions may be in need and go hungry, but those who go to the LORD for help have every good thing.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of settings engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will honor You in all I say and do. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26, 1997. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to the alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide." And for plenty of good reasons, since it can:
1. cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. it is a major component in acid rain
3. it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. accidental inhalation can kill you
5. it contributes to erosion
6. it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients
He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical dihydrogen monoxide. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that the chemical was...WATER!!!
The title of his prize winning project was, "How Gullible Are We?" The conclusion is obvious.
Religion is another area where people have a tendency to be gullible. Extreme examples can be found in David Koresh's followers and the Heaven's Gate cult. But it can happen any time we believe someone without checking out God's Word to see if what is being taught is the truth. Faith does not mean blindly accepting whatever anyone (even a preacher) says.John warned,
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (I John 4:1).Use God's Word to discern between what is true and what is false. And if you feel like living dangerously today, pour yourself a big tall glass of dihydrogen monoxide.
Verses
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, "I solemnly say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt at all, you will not only do the sort of wonder done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Get up and throw yourself into the sea,' it will be done.
Matthew 14:14
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
John 15:7
"If you abide in Me and allow My words to govern your prayer life, you can ask for anything you want and have it,
Psalm 34:9-10
Fear the LORD, you who are His holy ones, fear Him, and you will lack nothing. Young lions may be in need and go hungry, but those who go to the LORD for help have every good thing.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of settings engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will honor You in all I say and do. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday prayer & verses (15 01 2010)
Thought for the day
ATTENTION CHILDREN:
The Bathroom Door is Closed. Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions. Wait until I get out.
Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken, I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in here, but it's been 10 years and I want some PRIVACY.
Do not ask me how long I will be. I will come out when I am done.
Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door. Do not go running back to the phone yelling, "She's in the BATHROOM!"
Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in.
Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them. This was funny when you were two, but not now.
Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door. Even when you were two this got a little tiresome.
If you have followed me down the hall talking, and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room. I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.
And yes, I still love you. (signed)Mom
I know that every parent (and especially every mother) can relate to that. Sometimes it seems that there is no hope of any privacy. No matter where you go, little steps are heard right behind you. You try to hold a private conversation and little ears are listening. There's no getting away from it!
That's true of God as well. Though we may sometimes wish that we could get away from Him for just a few minutes, there's no way. Listen to how David put it:
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." (Psalm 139:7-8, NIV).
Though, at first, it may seem that God's continual presence is something to dread, David realizes that there is great comfort in such knowledge:
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."(Psalm 139:9, NIV). God's omnipresence means that He will always be there to take care of us, no matter where we may be. Instead of being something to fear, His presence is something which gives us comfort.
Take comfort today in knowing that you can never get away from God -- not even by closing the bathroom door!
Verses
Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes, saying, "You have believed and so it shall be."
Exodus 23:26
No one shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Matthew 18:18
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when those aboard the ship in Acts 27 were looking at the gloomy forecast that appeared for many days their hopes diminished day by day. So often that’s what leads us to defeat; we fear the raging storm and the damage it will do, instead of looking for the Peacespeaker who controls the wind and waves. When we consider the scores of relief workers in Haiti we’re reminded that it is their duty to go beyond the dangerous ransacked rubble to search for life. They must expect the impossible in order to save lives where it would seem there could be no one alive. We trust You for the miraculous stories that will eventually be reported, reminding us that You are a God of the impossible, bringing hope in the midst of devastation, restoration in the midst of loss. We entrust every one of these workers to Your care and pray for their safety as well as those who are presently entrapped by the rubble. We pray that there will be Christian believers who will bring the life-saving message of Jesus Christ to the hearts of surviving Haitians so that their hope is not based on what they see, but in the hope we have through the Holy Spirit as we trust in You. Amen.
ATTENTION CHILDREN:
The Bathroom Door is Closed. Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions. Wait until I get out.
Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken, I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in here, but it's been 10 years and I want some PRIVACY.
Do not ask me how long I will be. I will come out when I am done.
Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door. Do not go running back to the phone yelling, "She's in the BATHROOM!"
Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in.
Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them. This was funny when you were two, but not now.
Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door. Even when you were two this got a little tiresome.
If you have followed me down the hall talking, and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room. I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.
And yes, I still love you. (signed)Mom
I know that every parent (and especially every mother) can relate to that. Sometimes it seems that there is no hope of any privacy. No matter where you go, little steps are heard right behind you. You try to hold a private conversation and little ears are listening. There's no getting away from it!
That's true of God as well. Though we may sometimes wish that we could get away from Him for just a few minutes, there's no way. Listen to how David put it:
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." (Psalm 139:7-8, NIV).
Though, at first, it may seem that God's continual presence is something to dread, David realizes that there is great comfort in such knowledge:
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."(Psalm 139:9, NIV). God's omnipresence means that He will always be there to take care of us, no matter where we may be. Instead of being something to fear, His presence is something which gives us comfort.
Take comfort today in knowing that you can never get away from God -- not even by closing the bathroom door!
Verses
Matthew 9:29
Then he touched their eyes, saying, "You have believed and so it shall be."
Exodus 23:26
No one shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Matthew 18:18
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when those aboard the ship in Acts 27 were looking at the gloomy forecast that appeared for many days their hopes diminished day by day. So often that’s what leads us to defeat; we fear the raging storm and the damage it will do, instead of looking for the Peacespeaker who controls the wind and waves. When we consider the scores of relief workers in Haiti we’re reminded that it is their duty to go beyond the dangerous ransacked rubble to search for life. They must expect the impossible in order to save lives where it would seem there could be no one alive. We trust You for the miraculous stories that will eventually be reported, reminding us that You are a God of the impossible, bringing hope in the midst of devastation, restoration in the midst of loss. We entrust every one of these workers to Your care and pray for their safety as well as those who are presently entrapped by the rubble. We pray that there will be Christian believers who will bring the life-saving message of Jesus Christ to the hearts of surviving Haitians so that their hope is not based on what they see, but in the hope we have through the Holy Spirit as we trust in You. Amen.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday prayer & verses (14 01 2010)
Thought for the day
In one episode from the comic strip "Peanuts", Lucy comes up to her brother, Linus, and tells him that she has "converted" someone in her class to her way of thinking religiously. Knowing his sister, Linus couldn't believe it.
"How did you do it?" he asked.
Lucy explained,
"I told him everything I believe and asked him if hebelieved it, too. When we came to something he didn't see my way, Ijust hit him over the head with my lunch box until he believed it!"
I've seen some instances of "lunch box evangelism", haven't you? It's not very effective. Unfortunately, there are times that the way we talk and the way we act make it difficult for us to share our faith with those around us.
Listen to these words of advice Peter gives to Christian women who are married to non-Christian husbands: "In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live. Your husbands will see the pure lives you live with your respect for God." (I Peter 3:1-2, NCV).
Peter isn't saying that we shouldn't talk to people about the Christian life, but he is saying that it is more effective for others to see us actually living that life.
Know someone who needs to hear the gospel message? Put your lunch boxaway and be careful of the example that you set around them.
Verses
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would in that case say to this sycamine tree, Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
Acts 5:16
Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.
Proverbs 13:21
Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
Prayer
Father, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Help me to journey in faith when the path is dimmed or obscured. When I can only see through a glass darkly, help me to trust You for what is yet to come. May I have a believing, obedient spirit even when I don’t fully understand Your plan. For Your thoughts are not my thoughts nor are Your ways my ways. They are higher and wiser and are of divine origin, so help me to be mindful that You always know what’s best and will lead me according to Your will and Your timing. Amen.
In one episode from the comic strip "Peanuts", Lucy comes up to her brother, Linus, and tells him that she has "converted" someone in her class to her way of thinking religiously. Knowing his sister, Linus couldn't believe it.
"How did you do it?" he asked.
Lucy explained,
"I told him everything I believe and asked him if hebelieved it, too. When we came to something he didn't see my way, Ijust hit him over the head with my lunch box until he believed it!"
I've seen some instances of "lunch box evangelism", haven't you? It's not very effective. Unfortunately, there are times that the way we talk and the way we act make it difficult for us to share our faith with those around us.
Listen to these words of advice Peter gives to Christian women who are married to non-Christian husbands: "In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live. Your husbands will see the pure lives you live with your respect for God." (I Peter 3:1-2, NCV).
Peter isn't saying that we shouldn't talk to people about the Christian life, but he is saying that it is more effective for others to see us actually living that life.
Know someone who needs to hear the gospel message? Put your lunch boxaway and be careful of the example that you set around them.
Verses
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would in that case say to this sycamine tree, Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
Acts 5:16
Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.
Proverbs 13:21
Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
Prayer
Father, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Help me to journey in faith when the path is dimmed or obscured. When I can only see through a glass darkly, help me to trust You for what is yet to come. May I have a believing, obedient spirit even when I don’t fully understand Your plan. For Your thoughts are not my thoughts nor are Your ways my ways. They are higher and wiser and are of divine origin, so help me to be mindful that You always know what’s best and will lead me according to Your will and Your timing. Amen.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Wednesday prayer & verses (13 01 2010)
Thought for the day
This list is circulating among Forest Service employees. These are actual comments left several years ago on Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:
"A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."
"Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."
"Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."
"Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."
"Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."
"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."
"Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."
"Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."
"Need more signs to keep area pristine."
"The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."
"Too many rocks in the mountains."
Too many rocks in the mountains? I suppose the sky is too blue, there are too many leaves on the trees and too much water in the ocean as well!
Living in the mountains as I do, it's hard to imagine anyone complaining about God's creation. I stand in awe every day of His handiwork."Praise the LORD!....Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created....Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word; mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl....Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven." (Psalm 148:1a,3-5,7-10,13)
Next chance you get, walk outside, take a look around, and offer your praise to God who created it all.
Verses
2 Corinthians 4:18
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
2 Corinthians 5:14
We are ruled by the love of Christ, now that we recognize that one man died for everyone, which means that they all share in his death.
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
Romans 5:17
If, by reason of one man's fall, death exercised dominion through that one man's agency, much more will those who receive the abundance of God's grace and His free gift of righteousness reign triumphantly in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Father, we treasure the intercessory prayers of faithful believers when we undergo testing periods. Because we walk in the visible realm, we sometimes forget that Jesus is interceding on our behalf, faithfully presenting our needs to You in a place unseen by human eyes. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, realizing the eternal purpose in all that we deal with. Help us to trust You even when we don’t understand Your plan, knowing in our hearts, that You do all things well and for our eternal good. Help us to look beyond our immediate need to see the victorious faith and spiritual fruit You are developing in our lives as we remain faithful trusting You to work out that which concerns us. Amen.
This list is circulating among Forest Service employees. These are actual comments left several years ago on Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:
"A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."
"Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."
"Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."
"Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."
"Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."
"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."
"Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."
"Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."
"Need more signs to keep area pristine."
"The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."
"Too many rocks in the mountains."
Too many rocks in the mountains? I suppose the sky is too blue, there are too many leaves on the trees and too much water in the ocean as well!
Living in the mountains as I do, it's hard to imagine anyone complaining about God's creation. I stand in awe every day of His handiwork."Praise the LORD!....Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created....Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word; mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl....Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven." (Psalm 148:1a,3-5,7-10,13)
Next chance you get, walk outside, take a look around, and offer your praise to God who created it all.
Verses
2 Corinthians 4:18
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
2 Corinthians 5:14
We are ruled by the love of Christ, now that we recognize that one man died for everyone, which means that they all share in his death.
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
Romans 5:17
If, by reason of one man's fall, death exercised dominion through that one man's agency, much more will those who receive the abundance of God's grace and His free gift of righteousness reign triumphantly in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Father, we treasure the intercessory prayers of faithful believers when we undergo testing periods. Because we walk in the visible realm, we sometimes forget that Jesus is interceding on our behalf, faithfully presenting our needs to You in a place unseen by human eyes. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, realizing the eternal purpose in all that we deal with. Help us to trust You even when we don’t understand Your plan, knowing in our hearts, that You do all things well and for our eternal good. Help us to look beyond our immediate need to see the victorious faith and spiritual fruit You are developing in our lives as we remain faithful trusting You to work out that which concerns us. Amen.
Tuesday prayer & verses (12 01 2010)
Though for the day
Today's story (which is a bit longer than usual) can only be labeled as "bizarre". This is an edited version of a speech that was given in 1994 at an awards dinner for the American Association for Forensic Science.
While some sources refer to this as a "true story" by AAFS President Don Mills, other sources are I believe more accurate when they describe this as a "tall tale on complex forensics".
On March 23, 1994, a medical examiner viewed the body of Ronald Opus and concluded that he died from a shotgun wound of the head. Opus had jumped from the top of a ten-story building intending to commit suicide (he left a note indicating his despondency). He was unaware that a safety net had been set up at the eighth floor level to protect some window washers and his attempt to kill himself would not succeed. As he fell past the ninth floor, however, he was hit by a shotgun blast through a window, which killed him instantly.Suicide or homicide?
If Opus was going to die anyway, it would still be categorized as suicide. But the fact that his suicide attempt would not have been successful caused the medical examiner to believe it was homicide. The room on the ninth floor out of which the shotgun blast came was occupied by an elderly man and his wife. They were arguing and he threatened her with the shotgun. He was so upset that, when he pulled the trigger, he completely missed his wife and the pellets went through the window striking Opus.
When one intends to kill subject A but kills subject B in the attempt, he is guilty of the murder of subject B. When confronted with this charge, the old man and his wife were both adamant that neither knew that the shotgun was loaded. The old man said it was his long-standing habit to threaten his wife with the unloaded shotgun. He had no intention to murder her - therefore, the killing of Opus appeared to be an accident.
The continuing investigation turned up a witness, though, who saw the old couple's son loading the shotgun approximately six weeks prior to the fatal incident. It seems that the mother cut off her son's financial support and the son, knowing the propensity of his father to use the shotgun threateningly, loaded the gun with the expectation that his father would shoot his mother. The case now became one of murder on the part of the son for the death of Ronald Opus.
However, further investigation revealed that the son had become increasingly despondent over the failure of his attempt to engineer his mother's murder. This led the son, Ronald Opus, to jump off a ten-story building on March 23, only to be killed by a shotgun blast through the ninth story window.
The medical examiner closed the case as a suicide.
So often we find that attempts to hurt others only hurt us in the end. For example, perhaps we refuse to forgive someone, thinking "I'll show them!", only to suffer the consequences of bitterness in our own lives.
But, the opposite is also true. Attempts to do good to others come back to benefit us in the end. Jesus said that how we treat others will determine how we ourselves are treated, often by men, and most certainly by God."Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:37-38)
May you do much good to others today, and may much good find its way back to you in return.
Verses
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has power over death and life, and those who love to talk will have to eat what they say.
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
John 6:63
It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life.
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
Romans 5:17
If, by reason of one man's fall, death exercised dominion through that one man's agency, much more will those who receive the abundance of God's grace and His free gift of righteousness reign triumphantly in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Father, as we consider the fertile fields and lush vegetation that are a result of Your faithfully sending moisture to the earth, we’re also reminded of the power of Your Word that does not return void. The Word also accomplishes great things as it breathes life and hope into those who apply its salvation message to their lives. It turns our losses into gains, our weakness into strength, our fear into courage and our wanderings into purpose-filled direction. Thank You for Your Holy Word that has completely changed my life. Amen.
Today's story (which is a bit longer than usual) can only be labeled as "bizarre". This is an edited version of a speech that was given in 1994 at an awards dinner for the American Association for Forensic Science.
While some sources refer to this as a "true story" by AAFS President Don Mills, other sources are I believe more accurate when they describe this as a "tall tale on complex forensics".
On March 23, 1994, a medical examiner viewed the body of Ronald Opus and concluded that he died from a shotgun wound of the head. Opus had jumped from the top of a ten-story building intending to commit suicide (he left a note indicating his despondency). He was unaware that a safety net had been set up at the eighth floor level to protect some window washers and his attempt to kill himself would not succeed. As he fell past the ninth floor, however, he was hit by a shotgun blast through a window, which killed him instantly.Suicide or homicide?
If Opus was going to die anyway, it would still be categorized as suicide. But the fact that his suicide attempt would not have been successful caused the medical examiner to believe it was homicide. The room on the ninth floor out of which the shotgun blast came was occupied by an elderly man and his wife. They were arguing and he threatened her with the shotgun. He was so upset that, when he pulled the trigger, he completely missed his wife and the pellets went through the window striking Opus.
When one intends to kill subject A but kills subject B in the attempt, he is guilty of the murder of subject B. When confronted with this charge, the old man and his wife were both adamant that neither knew that the shotgun was loaded. The old man said it was his long-standing habit to threaten his wife with the unloaded shotgun. He had no intention to murder her - therefore, the killing of Opus appeared to be an accident.
The continuing investigation turned up a witness, though, who saw the old couple's son loading the shotgun approximately six weeks prior to the fatal incident. It seems that the mother cut off her son's financial support and the son, knowing the propensity of his father to use the shotgun threateningly, loaded the gun with the expectation that his father would shoot his mother. The case now became one of murder on the part of the son for the death of Ronald Opus.
However, further investigation revealed that the son had become increasingly despondent over the failure of his attempt to engineer his mother's murder. This led the son, Ronald Opus, to jump off a ten-story building on March 23, only to be killed by a shotgun blast through the ninth story window.
The medical examiner closed the case as a suicide.
So often we find that attempts to hurt others only hurt us in the end. For example, perhaps we refuse to forgive someone, thinking "I'll show them!", only to suffer the consequences of bitterness in our own lives.
But, the opposite is also true. Attempts to do good to others come back to benefit us in the end. Jesus said that how we treat others will determine how we ourselves are treated, often by men, and most certainly by God."Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:37-38)
May you do much good to others today, and may much good find its way back to you in return.
Verses
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has power over death and life, and those who love to talk will have to eat what they say.
Luke 4:18
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
John 6:63
It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life.
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
Romans 5:17
If, by reason of one man's fall, death exercised dominion through that one man's agency, much more will those who receive the abundance of God's grace and His free gift of righteousness reign triumphantly in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Father, as we consider the fertile fields and lush vegetation that are a result of Your faithfully sending moisture to the earth, we’re also reminded of the power of Your Word that does not return void. The Word also accomplishes great things as it breathes life and hope into those who apply its salvation message to their lives. It turns our losses into gains, our weakness into strength, our fear into courage and our wanderings into purpose-filled direction. Thank You for Your Holy Word that has completely changed my life. Amen.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Friday prayer & verses (08 01 2010)
Thought for the day
According to news reports, Lucky, a German shepherd guide-dog for the blind, has so far been responsible for the deaths of all four of his previous owners.``We will not have him put down. Lucky is basically a good guide dog,' Ernst Gerber, a dog trainer from Wuppertal, Germany told reporters. ``He just needs a little brush-up on some elementary skills, that's all.'``I admit it's not an impressive record on paper.
He led his first owner in front of a bus, and the second off the end of a pier. He actually pushed his third owner off a railway platform just as the Cologne to Frankfurt express was approaching and he walked his fourth owner into heavy traffic, before abandoning him and running away to safety. But, apart from epileptic fits, he has a lovely temperament. And guide dogs are difficult to train these days.'
Asked if Lucky's fifth owner would be told about his previous record, Gerber replied: ``No. It would make them nervous, and would make Lucky nervous. And when Lucky gets nervous he's liable to do something silly.'Jesus spoke about the "blind leading the blind." I think he would have been just as critical of the "dangerous leading the blind." Either way, the point is that we need to take a good look at who (or what) it is that is leading us. Who (or what) have you chosen to follow? The answer is important because many of our choices are just as deadly as trusting Lucky.
There is only one truly safe guide:"He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.....When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:2,4,5)Father, today I seek to hear your voice. In a world full of voices that try to lead me down paths that would harm me spiritually, I trust only you. Thank you for your faithfulness that allows me to trust your leadership.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Verses
Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it.
Colossians 4:2
Don't be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God's answers and remember to be thankful when they come.
Psalm 112:1,3
Hallelujah. Happy is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in His commandments. Wealth and riches are in his house; And his merit endureth for ever.
Prayer
Father, as we consider the fertile fields and lush vegetation that are a result of Your faithfully sending moisture to the earth, we’re also reminded of the power of Your Word that does not return void. The Word also accomplishes great things as it breathes life and hope into those who apply its salvation message to their lives. It turns our losses into gains, our weakness into strength, our fear into courage and our wanderings into purpose-filled direction. Thank You for Your Holy Word that has completely changed my life. Amen.
According to news reports, Lucky, a German shepherd guide-dog for the blind, has so far been responsible for the deaths of all four of his previous owners.``We will not have him put down. Lucky is basically a good guide dog,' Ernst Gerber, a dog trainer from Wuppertal, Germany told reporters. ``He just needs a little brush-up on some elementary skills, that's all.'``I admit it's not an impressive record on paper.
He led his first owner in front of a bus, and the second off the end of a pier. He actually pushed his third owner off a railway platform just as the Cologne to Frankfurt express was approaching and he walked his fourth owner into heavy traffic, before abandoning him and running away to safety. But, apart from epileptic fits, he has a lovely temperament. And guide dogs are difficult to train these days.'
Asked if Lucky's fifth owner would be told about his previous record, Gerber replied: ``No. It would make them nervous, and would make Lucky nervous. And when Lucky gets nervous he's liable to do something silly.'Jesus spoke about the "blind leading the blind." I think he would have been just as critical of the "dangerous leading the blind." Either way, the point is that we need to take a good look at who (or what) it is that is leading us. Who (or what) have you chosen to follow? The answer is important because many of our choices are just as deadly as trusting Lucky.
There is only one truly safe guide:"He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.....When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:2,4,5)Father, today I seek to hear your voice. In a world full of voices that try to lead me down paths that would harm me spiritually, I trust only you. Thank you for your faithfulness that allows me to trust your leadership.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Verses
Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it.
Colossians 4:2
Don't be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God's answers and remember to be thankful when they come.
Psalm 112:1,3
Hallelujah. Happy is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in His commandments. Wealth and riches are in his house; And his merit endureth for ever.
Prayer
Father, as we consider the fertile fields and lush vegetation that are a result of Your faithfully sending moisture to the earth, we’re also reminded of the power of Your Word that does not return void. The Word also accomplishes great things as it breathes life and hope into those who apply its salvation message to their lives. It turns our losses into gains, our weakness into strength, our fear into courage and our wanderings into purpose-filled direction. Thank You for Your Holy Word that has completely changed my life. Amen.
Thursday prayer & verses (07 01 2010)
Thought for the day
The Bible tells us that the way of a ship on the high seas is a wonder (Proverbs 30:19). Two sailing ships can be driven by the same wind and yet one will go east and the other will go west. This is determined by how the sail is set, not the direction of the wind. A ship can alter direction using the same wind by simply changing the setting of the sail.
Life is much like that. We all have goals, and we need to know how to set the sails in order to reach those goals. If the wind changes, the sail must be adjusted. Not paying attention to the changing winds can take us far off course. Our goals and ambitions in life require constant attention and the willingness to make adjustments when needed. Sailors do not regret or fight the wind; they rejoice in it and use it. That is what makes them excellent seamen.
Paying attention to the way we set our sails and how we read the wind will keep us on course.
Verses
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
Matthew 9:24
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Matthew 21:22
If you will only believe, every gift you ask for in your prayer will be granted.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Everyone must give whatever he has decided on, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Prayer
Father, we live in an age similar to Daniel’s where people mock and ridicule the one and only true God of the universe. So many worship music gods, technology gods, beauty gods, media gods, body building gods, intellectual gods and countless others. They render You powerless, but we who have exchanged a life enslaved to sin for a life that is forgiven and wholly saved know that they have not had a personal encounter with a holy God. Only You can turn beauty into ashes, our weapons into plowshares, our selfishness into selflessness. Only You can take a meaningless life and establish purpose in our hearts. Only You can replace the fear in our hearts with an eternal hope. Because of Your infinite love and care for us I want to honor You in all that I do, for I love You with all my heart. Amen.
The Bible tells us that the way of a ship on the high seas is a wonder (Proverbs 30:19). Two sailing ships can be driven by the same wind and yet one will go east and the other will go west. This is determined by how the sail is set, not the direction of the wind. A ship can alter direction using the same wind by simply changing the setting of the sail.
Life is much like that. We all have goals, and we need to know how to set the sails in order to reach those goals. If the wind changes, the sail must be adjusted. Not paying attention to the changing winds can take us far off course. Our goals and ambitions in life require constant attention and the willingness to make adjustments when needed. Sailors do not regret or fight the wind; they rejoice in it and use it. That is what makes them excellent seamen.
Paying attention to the way we set our sails and how we read the wind will keep us on course.
Verses
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
Matthew 9:24
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Matthew 21:22
If you will only believe, every gift you ask for in your prayer will be granted.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Everyone must give whatever he has decided on, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Prayer
Father, we live in an age similar to Daniel’s where people mock and ridicule the one and only true God of the universe. So many worship music gods, technology gods, beauty gods, media gods, body building gods, intellectual gods and countless others. They render You powerless, but we who have exchanged a life enslaved to sin for a life that is forgiven and wholly saved know that they have not had a personal encounter with a holy God. Only You can turn beauty into ashes, our weapons into plowshares, our selfishness into selflessness. Only You can take a meaningless life and establish purpose in our hearts. Only You can replace the fear in our hearts with an eternal hope. Because of Your infinite love and care for us I want to honor You in all that I do, for I love You with all my heart. Amen.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Thought for the day
The majestic eagle can teach us much about rising above the storms of life and preparing to soar.
Each of the birds God created is special, but to me the eagle is extraordinary. It possesses great beauty as well as tremendous strength and skill. The eagle is also highly respected by man. For Americans, this bird is the symbol of our country. Its image is engraved on our national seal.
And when we lay our eyes upon this creature we can't help but be amazed. Its flight is nothing short of dramatic. Each of these great birds seems to just glide on the air with movements that are more elegant than a waltz.
But is there something we can learn from this majestic creature?
Eagles in a Storm
Did you know that an eagle can detect when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? It will actually fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm.
Isn't that remarkable? While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above. It does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. What an extra-ordinary way to deal with adversity!
There is a wonderful lesson for God's children to learn from the way an eagle approaches a storm. When the storms of life come upon us, we, too, can rise above them by setting our minds and our hearts toward God. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
Furthermore, the storms (or trials) of life can actually help us in our walk of faith. This is because they build something in us that will be a part of our lives forever. Notice what Paul wrote: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
We can use adversity for gain. We need to learn from trials—to grow from the experience and be made better (James 1:2-3). Sometimes we should "escape" trials (1 Corinthians 10:13). Sometimes we should "flee" (Matthew 10:23). And at other times, trials are to be confronted and endured (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 12:7). We must face the things that challenge us and grow in virtue because of them.
God is looking for over comers. And He has a wonderful promise for them. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Revelation 3:21).
An Eagle's Story
Faith in the Night Seasons by Chuck and Nancy Missler begins with a story about a wounded eaglet that was rescued by a kind farmer. He found the bird in one of his fields and so took him home, tended to his wounds and then placed him outside in the barnyard to recover.
Strangely enough, the young eaglet soon adapted to the habits of all the barnyard chickens. He learned to walk and cluck like them. He learned to drink from a trough and peck the dirt for food, and for many years he resigned himself to this new life on the ground.
But then one day, one of the farmer's friends spotted the eagle and asked, "Why in the world is that bird acting like a chicken?" The farmer explained what had happened. Even so, the man could hardly accept the situation.
"It's just not right," said the friend. "The Creator made that bird to soar in the heavens, not scavenge in the barnyard!" So he picked up the unsuspecting eagle, climbed onto a nearby fence post, and tossed him into the air. But the confused bird just fell back to earth and searched for his feathered friends.
Undaunted, the man then grabbed the eagle and climbed to the top of the barn. As he heaved him off the roof, the bird made a few halfhearted squawks and flaps before falling into a bale of hay. After shaking his head a few times, the eagle then made himself comfortable and began mindlessly pecking at straw.
The friend went home that night dejected, and could barely sleep as he remembered the sight of those powerful talons caked with barnyard mud. He couldn't bear the thought, so the very next day, he headed back to the farm for another try. This time he carried the eagle to the top of a nearby mountain where the sky unfolded in a limitless horizon.
He looked into the eagle's eyes and cried out, "Don't you understand? You weren't made to live like a chicken! Why would you want to stay down here when you were born for the sky?" As the man held the confused bird, he made sure the eagle was facing into the brilliant light of the setting sun. Then he powerfully heaved the bird into the sky, and this time the eagle opened his wings, looked at the sun, caught the updraft rising from the valley, and disappeared into the clouds of heaven.
God's children were born to fly. They were created by a loving God to soar. He has called them to live in the heights, yet too many have huddled together in the barnyard and become content and comfortable with crumbs.
Helen Keller once said, "One can never consent to creep when he feels an impulse to soar." God's people need to cultivate and exercise that impulse. If we do, we will one day soar like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). UN
Verses
Romans 10:17
So then, faith must be the consequence of hearing the message, and the message comes through the word which tells of Christ and which was sent by him.
Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Matthew 9:38
"Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
Matthew 7:11
If therefore you, who are corrupt, know how to bestow benefits upon your children, how much rather will your Father Who is in heaven give benefits to those who ask Him!
Prayer
Jesus, You have shown us the greatest example of loyalty when Peter denied You at the critical hour prior to Your crucifixion. It is so encouraging to know that Peter was forgiven, reinstated, and entrusted to be a great messenger of the Gospel. Enable us, through following Your example and by the power of Your Spirit, to be forgiving, loyal, and dependable in the midst of difficult circumstances. Help us to do unto others as we would have them do to us.
The majestic eagle can teach us much about rising above the storms of life and preparing to soar.
Each of the birds God created is special, but to me the eagle is extraordinary. It possesses great beauty as well as tremendous strength and skill. The eagle is also highly respected by man. For Americans, this bird is the symbol of our country. Its image is engraved on our national seal.
And when we lay our eyes upon this creature we can't help but be amazed. Its flight is nothing short of dramatic. Each of these great birds seems to just glide on the air with movements that are more elegant than a waltz.
But is there something we can learn from this majestic creature?
Eagles in a Storm
Did you know that an eagle can detect when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? It will actually fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm.
Isn't that remarkable? While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above. It does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. What an extra-ordinary way to deal with adversity!
There is a wonderful lesson for God's children to learn from the way an eagle approaches a storm. When the storms of life come upon us, we, too, can rise above them by setting our minds and our hearts toward God. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
Furthermore, the storms (or trials) of life can actually help us in our walk of faith. This is because they build something in us that will be a part of our lives forever. Notice what Paul wrote: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
We can use adversity for gain. We need to learn from trials—to grow from the experience and be made better (James 1:2-3). Sometimes we should "escape" trials (1 Corinthians 10:13). Sometimes we should "flee" (Matthew 10:23). And at other times, trials are to be confronted and endured (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 12:7). We must face the things that challenge us and grow in virtue because of them.
God is looking for over comers. And He has a wonderful promise for them. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Revelation 3:21).
An Eagle's Story
Faith in the Night Seasons by Chuck and Nancy Missler begins with a story about a wounded eaglet that was rescued by a kind farmer. He found the bird in one of his fields and so took him home, tended to his wounds and then placed him outside in the barnyard to recover.
Strangely enough, the young eaglet soon adapted to the habits of all the barnyard chickens. He learned to walk and cluck like them. He learned to drink from a trough and peck the dirt for food, and for many years he resigned himself to this new life on the ground.
But then one day, one of the farmer's friends spotted the eagle and asked, "Why in the world is that bird acting like a chicken?" The farmer explained what had happened. Even so, the man could hardly accept the situation.
"It's just not right," said the friend. "The Creator made that bird to soar in the heavens, not scavenge in the barnyard!" So he picked up the unsuspecting eagle, climbed onto a nearby fence post, and tossed him into the air. But the confused bird just fell back to earth and searched for his feathered friends.
Undaunted, the man then grabbed the eagle and climbed to the top of the barn. As he heaved him off the roof, the bird made a few halfhearted squawks and flaps before falling into a bale of hay. After shaking his head a few times, the eagle then made himself comfortable and began mindlessly pecking at straw.
The friend went home that night dejected, and could barely sleep as he remembered the sight of those powerful talons caked with barnyard mud. He couldn't bear the thought, so the very next day, he headed back to the farm for another try. This time he carried the eagle to the top of a nearby mountain where the sky unfolded in a limitless horizon.
He looked into the eagle's eyes and cried out, "Don't you understand? You weren't made to live like a chicken! Why would you want to stay down here when you were born for the sky?" As the man held the confused bird, he made sure the eagle was facing into the brilliant light of the setting sun. Then he powerfully heaved the bird into the sky, and this time the eagle opened his wings, looked at the sun, caught the updraft rising from the valley, and disappeared into the clouds of heaven.
God's children were born to fly. They were created by a loving God to soar. He has called them to live in the heights, yet too many have huddled together in the barnyard and become content and comfortable with crumbs.
Helen Keller once said, "One can never consent to creep when he feels an impulse to soar." God's people need to cultivate and exercise that impulse. If we do, we will one day soar like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). UN
Verses
Romans 10:17
So then, faith must be the consequence of hearing the message, and the message comes through the word which tells of Christ and which was sent by him.
Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Matthew 9:38
"Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
Matthew 7:11
If therefore you, who are corrupt, know how to bestow benefits upon your children, how much rather will your Father Who is in heaven give benefits to those who ask Him!
Prayer
Jesus, You have shown us the greatest example of loyalty when Peter denied You at the critical hour prior to Your crucifixion. It is so encouraging to know that Peter was forgiven, reinstated, and entrusted to be a great messenger of the Gospel. Enable us, through following Your example and by the power of Your Spirit, to be forgiving, loyal, and dependable in the midst of difficult circumstances. Help us to do unto others as we would have them do to us.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Tuesday prayer & verses (05 01 2010)
Thought for the day
A couple from Bakersfield, California purchased a new boat, but they were having serious problems. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get the boat going. It was sluggish no matter which way they turned or how much power was applied. After an hour of trying to make it go, they putted to a nearby marina, hoping someone could tell them what was wrong. A thorough check on the topside of the boat revealed everything was in perfect working condition. The engine ran fine, the out drive went up and down, and the propeller was the correct size and pitch. Then, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath. He came up choking with laughter. Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the trailer!
How often have we been guilty of the same thing? We sputter along in our spiritual lives, wondering why we're not making much progress, wondering why we don't feel any closer to God than we do. We take a spiritual check of the situation and find that we're attending worship regularly, we're reading our Bibles, we're praying. On the surface, everything appears to be what it ought to be. But beneath the surface lurks some sin that we have allowed to latch hold of our lives. And there it lies, unforgiven, maybe even unrecognized, dragging us down.
Though the Hebrew writer used the image of a runner as opposed that that of a boat, the concept is exactly the same: "...
(L)et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1).
If your spiritual life is sputtering along, perhaps you would do well to look for sin that lies beneath the surface. Throw off everything that hinders you, and you'll find that things will run a lot more smoothly.
Verses
Hebrews 11:1
Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.
2 Kings 20:5
"Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died;
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray unceasingly.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility and fearing the LORD are rewarded with riches, honor, and life.
Prayer
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20,21).
A couple from Bakersfield, California purchased a new boat, but they were having serious problems. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get the boat going. It was sluggish no matter which way they turned or how much power was applied. After an hour of trying to make it go, they putted to a nearby marina, hoping someone could tell them what was wrong. A thorough check on the topside of the boat revealed everything was in perfect working condition. The engine ran fine, the out drive went up and down, and the propeller was the correct size and pitch. Then, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath. He came up choking with laughter. Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the trailer!
How often have we been guilty of the same thing? We sputter along in our spiritual lives, wondering why we're not making much progress, wondering why we don't feel any closer to God than we do. We take a spiritual check of the situation and find that we're attending worship regularly, we're reading our Bibles, we're praying. On the surface, everything appears to be what it ought to be. But beneath the surface lurks some sin that we have allowed to latch hold of our lives. And there it lies, unforgiven, maybe even unrecognized, dragging us down.
Though the Hebrew writer used the image of a runner as opposed that that of a boat, the concept is exactly the same: "...
(L)et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1).
If your spiritual life is sputtering along, perhaps you would do well to look for sin that lies beneath the surface. Throw off everything that hinders you, and you'll find that things will run a lot more smoothly.
Verses
Hebrews 11:1
Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.
2 Kings 20:5
"Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died;
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray unceasingly.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility and fearing the LORD are rewarded with riches, honor, and life.
Prayer
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20,21).
Monday, January 04, 2010
Monday prayer & verses (04 01 2010)
Thought for the day
I was fascinated by a story in the news a while back. The story came out of Sydney, Australia where police suggest "a bicycle enthusiast became a little obsessed with his hobby later in life after discovering 435 bikes in his house after his death...It took police seven days to remove the bikes along with hundreds of frames, wheels and other parts from [his] house."
The article reports that it was a 3-bedroom house stacked to the rafters with bicycles that the man had collected over the years. Some bicycles were bought, some were traded, and police believe many of the bicycles were stolen.
Wow! I can't begin to imagine what's it's like to live in a house filled with that many bicycles. I think the police were being kind when they described the man as being "a little obsessed." I'd say it was more than a little. It's easy to see what the focus of that man's life was. And while we would be quick to say that he was ridiculous for placing so much emphasis on bicycles, is he really any different from those of us who put other material things at the center of our lives?
Jesus talked about a man who was so obsessed with his "stuff" that he had to tear down his barns and build bigger barns to keep it in (Luke 12:13-21). Let me assure you - if the focus of your life isn't "serving God", then it really doesn't matter what your focus is. Whether it's bicycles, jewelry or a vacation home at the beach or the mountains, it's all just "clutter" that one day will be worthless.
Oh, there's one more thing about the news article that intrigued me. I mentioned the man's death, but I failed to tell you how he died. He died after hitting his head after falling off a bicycle! How ironic (but not all that unusual) that his obsession resulted in the hastening of his death. Some obsessions result in death, and whenever (or however) death comes, it means the loss of everything. Only one obsession results in life.
May we all be able to say with Paul, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21)What are you obsessed with?
Verses
Galatians 6:9
Let us not get tired doing good. We will harvest at the right time if we do not drop out.
Exodus 15:26
He said, "You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you."
1 John 4:4
My dear children, you belong to God. So you have defeated them because God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.
1 Kings 8:54
And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
Psalm 34:9-10
Keep yourselves in the fear of the Lord, all you his saints; for those who do so will have no need of anything. The young lions are in need and have no food; but those who are looking to the Lord will have every good thing.
Prayer
Father, help us to keep a Biblical perspective as we consider the brief duration of our life on this earth in light of eternity. Our lives are not meaningless nor are they insignificant for we acknowledge that You have brought purpose to our lives. It will take us a lifetime on this earth to fully experience and understand Your purpose, but we do seek to trust and obey You so that we know Your plan and so that we honor You. Amen.
I was fascinated by a story in the news a while back. The story came out of Sydney, Australia where police suggest "a bicycle enthusiast became a little obsessed with his hobby later in life after discovering 435 bikes in his house after his death...It took police seven days to remove the bikes along with hundreds of frames, wheels and other parts from [his] house."
The article reports that it was a 3-bedroom house stacked to the rafters with bicycles that the man had collected over the years. Some bicycles were bought, some were traded, and police believe many of the bicycles were stolen.
Wow! I can't begin to imagine what's it's like to live in a house filled with that many bicycles. I think the police were being kind when they described the man as being "a little obsessed." I'd say it was more than a little. It's easy to see what the focus of that man's life was. And while we would be quick to say that he was ridiculous for placing so much emphasis on bicycles, is he really any different from those of us who put other material things at the center of our lives?
Jesus talked about a man who was so obsessed with his "stuff" that he had to tear down his barns and build bigger barns to keep it in (Luke 12:13-21). Let me assure you - if the focus of your life isn't "serving God", then it really doesn't matter what your focus is. Whether it's bicycles, jewelry or a vacation home at the beach or the mountains, it's all just "clutter" that one day will be worthless.
Oh, there's one more thing about the news article that intrigued me. I mentioned the man's death, but I failed to tell you how he died. He died after hitting his head after falling off a bicycle! How ironic (but not all that unusual) that his obsession resulted in the hastening of his death. Some obsessions result in death, and whenever (or however) death comes, it means the loss of everything. Only one obsession results in life.
May we all be able to say with Paul, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21)What are you obsessed with?
Verses
Galatians 6:9
Let us not get tired doing good. We will harvest at the right time if we do not drop out.
Exodus 15:26
He said, "You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you."
1 John 4:4
My dear children, you belong to God. So you have defeated them because God's Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.
1 Kings 8:54
And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
Psalm 34:9-10
Keep yourselves in the fear of the Lord, all you his saints; for those who do so will have no need of anything. The young lions are in need and have no food; but those who are looking to the Lord will have every good thing.
Prayer
Father, help us to keep a Biblical perspective as we consider the brief duration of our life on this earth in light of eternity. Our lives are not meaningless nor are they insignificant for we acknowledge that You have brought purpose to our lives. It will take us a lifetime on this earth to fully experience and understand Your purpose, but we do seek to trust and obey You so that we know Your plan and so that we honor You. Amen.
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