June 30
This is God's Day. I read, I pray, I meditate, I fast, and at 4:47 I have a
CONVERSATION WITH GOD.
"God, are we saved by Your grace once?”
"How are you saved?"
"By your son dying on the cross.”
"Do you believe that? You are saved."
"What about people who don't know?"
"It is your job to tell them. Do you love your neighbor as yourself?"
"I hardly know my neighbor."
"I know!"
“A backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.” (Proverbs 14:14)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Taking a Day for God
June 29
On Monday our men’s group facilitator said, "Take a day this week and let it be God's day. Say, ‘God this is your day, it all belongs to You.’ have no agenda. Let God control the day. Experience His grace.”
Of all the days God has been with me, finally I'm proclaiming a day for God. Tomorrow is God’s day.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
On Monday our men’s group facilitator said, "Take a day this week and let it be God's day. Say, ‘God this is your day, it all belongs to You.’ have no agenda. Let God control the day. Experience His grace.”
Of all the days God has been with me, finally I'm proclaiming a day for God. Tomorrow is God’s day.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Julie
June 28
She fled to Florida by bus with one suitcase. Julie didn’t give her last name still fearing reprisals from her abuser.
“I needed a car and prayed specifically for a clean four-dour Camry, so I could take people to church with me. And I prefer a brown or beige one.” Gifts from God, which receives donated cars, called her. When she arrived she saw truly a gift from God waiting. It was a Camry, four-door, beige and fresh from the car wash.
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
(Matthew 21:22)
She fled to Florida by bus with one suitcase. Julie didn’t give her last name still fearing reprisals from her abuser.
“I needed a car and prayed specifically for a clean four-dour Camry, so I could take people to church with me. And I prefer a brown or beige one.” Gifts from God, which receives donated cars, called her. When she arrived she saw truly a gift from God waiting. It was a Camry, four-door, beige and fresh from the car wash.
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
(Matthew 21:22)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
In a Bad Place
June 27
“I’m in a bad place,” he said. After listening to his story Joy kneeled before him and began praying. He sat stiffly, his wife cried.
At communion in church a month later our pastor invited all. “I want you to feel welcome with a hug from the Lord himself.” Our friend, who is ina bad place, came down the isle tears streaming down his face and wrapped his arms around the elder at the communion table and bawled. He was with his God again.
“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my steps.”
(Psalm 40:2)
“I’m in a bad place,” he said. After listening to his story Joy kneeled before him and began praying. He sat stiffly, his wife cried.
At communion in church a month later our pastor invited all. “I want you to feel welcome with a hug from the Lord himself.” Our friend, who is ina bad place, came down the isle tears streaming down his face and wrapped his arms around the elder at the communion table and bawled. He was with his God again.
“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my steps.”
(Psalm 40:2)
Special Payday
June 26
One of my duties as a Seconbd Lieutenant while stationed in the Canal Zone was to pay the Panamanian drivers employed by the U.S. Army. I was shocked at how little money each received every two weeks. At the pay table there was a jar for contributions for some cause. Few put anything in it. One day the jar was filling up.I turned it to read. "For Red Cross flood relief for New England families." Someone had written below that; "This is where the Lieutenant is from."
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
One of my duties as a Seconbd Lieutenant while stationed in the Canal Zone was to pay the Panamanian drivers employed by the U.S. Army. I was shocked at how little money each received every two weeks. At the pay table there was a jar for contributions for some cause. Few put anything in it. One day the jar was filling up.I turned it to read. "For Red Cross flood relief for New England families." Someone had written below that; "This is where the Lieutenant is from."
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
"Are You in Ministry?"
June 19
"I think I know you," the man at the next table stated, "are you in ministry?"
"I'm not ordained," I replied and wondered immediately why I said that. It sounded so awkward. He didn't ask me if I was a minister. He asked if I was in ministry. Aren't all believers expected to be in ministry?" I should have said yes.
"But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5)
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us;
(2 Corinthians 5:20)
"I think I know you," the man at the next table stated, "are you in ministry?"
"I'm not ordained," I replied and wondered immediately why I said that. It sounded so awkward. He didn't ask me if I was a minister. He asked if I was in ministry. Aren't all believers expected to be in ministry?" I should have said yes.
"But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5)
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us;
(2 Corinthians 5:20)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Maine Vacation
June 18
When I was nine my family rented a cottage on a lake in Maine. I fished every day from a dock with the boy next door. That vacation inspired me as an adult to buy a cottage on a lake in Massachusetts for my children to enjoy.
Every summer spent on that lake while the children were growing up was a special blessing. It was a dream come true for me. I thank you Lord. I really didn't then.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
(John 10:10)
When I was nine my family rented a cottage on a lake in Maine. I fished every day from a dock with the boy next door. That vacation inspired me as an adult to buy a cottage on a lake in Massachusetts for my children to enjoy.
Every summer spent on that lake while the children were growing up was a special blessing. It was a dream come true for me. I thank you Lord. I really didn't then.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
(John 10:10)
Loving the Wrong Things
June 17
I had other things that I loved more than God, like money, sex, sports, recognition,
alcohol and tobacco. I spent more time pursuing these than I did the Lord.
God sent me a gentle soul who shared with me that by asking the Lord Jesus into my life I would "be born again of the Spirit."
Jesus said. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you that you must be born again." (John 3: 5-7)
I had other things that I loved more than God, like money, sex, sports, recognition,
alcohol and tobacco. I spent more time pursuing these than I did the Lord.
God sent me a gentle soul who shared with me that by asking the Lord Jesus into my life I would "be born again of the Spirit."
Jesus said. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you that you must be born again." (John 3: 5-7)
Reflections
June 16
Dilly, the drake, died.. Daffy his mate was devastated and would spend hours in front of our cellar window quacking at her reflection. We ended her loneliness by taking her out to a farm where there were other domestic ducks.
Years later a robin was throwing itself at our front window. The duck saw a friend, the robin an enemy. What do I see when I look in the glass? What do I do then?
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."
(1 James 1:23-24)
Dilly, the drake, died.. Daffy his mate was devastated and would spend hours in front of our cellar window quacking at her reflection. We ended her loneliness by taking her out to a farm where there were other domestic ducks.
Years later a robin was throwing itself at our front window. The duck saw a friend, the robin an enemy. What do I see when I look in the glass? What do I do then?
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."
(1 James 1:23-24)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Fathers Day
June 15
It is nice to be pampered on this day but the golden memories were unexpected.
A four-year-old suddenly running up and grabbing my leg saying, "Isn't this fun dad? You and me in the woods picking up sticks together for the fire.” A ten-year-old leaps into my arms after his team wins the game.
A little girl, now grown, saying “thanks dad for being my friend." Priceless this Day is seeing daughters happy as loving wives and a son now a dad. I understand better how our real Father felt when He said,
"This is my son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him."(Matthew 17:5)
It is nice to be pampered on this day but the golden memories were unexpected.
A four-year-old suddenly running up and grabbing my leg saying, "Isn't this fun dad? You and me in the woods picking up sticks together for the fire.” A ten-year-old leaps into my arms after his team wins the game.
A little girl, now grown, saying “thanks dad for being my friend." Priceless this Day is seeing daughters happy as loving wives and a son now a dad. I understand better how our real Father felt when He said,
"This is my son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him."(Matthew 17:5)
Pentecost
June 14
Pentecost means the fiftieth (day). For Christians, Pentecost is celebrated the seventh Sunday after Easter (50 days). It was on Pentecost that the Holy Spirit first came among the apostles. (Acts 2)
We can’t be passive about the Holy Spirit.How we treat the Holy Spirit is major. How important? Jesus tells us straight out.
“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32)
Pentecost means the fiftieth (day). For Christians, Pentecost is celebrated the seventh Sunday after Easter (50 days). It was on Pentecost that the Holy Spirit first came among the apostles. (Acts 2)
We can’t be passive about the Holy Spirit.How we treat the Holy Spirit is major. How important? Jesus tells us straight out.
“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32)
How Many Prayers Answered
June 13
How many prayers have I had answered? Countless I'm sure. Only the Lord knows.
.
Some of the biggies are babies born healthy, mothers ok, finding a loving wife who believes, having the Lord come into my life and His blessings each day.
Thousands of road miles traveled safely, scores of airplanes that landed, boats that stayed afloat, problems resolved, and all these years of good health and peace.
“Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures at all
Generations.” (Psalm 100)
How many prayers have I had answered? Countless I'm sure. Only the Lord knows.
.
Some of the biggies are babies born healthy, mothers ok, finding a loving wife who believes, having the Lord come into my life and His blessings each day.
Thousands of road miles traveled safely, scores of airplanes that landed, boats that stayed afloat, problems resolved, and all these years of good health and peace.
“Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures at all
Generations.” (Psalm 100)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Going Fishing
June 11
I have a friend who is a financial planner. I have to call months in advance to make a lunch date. Yet he literally will drop everything to go on a fly fishing trip.
Peter dropped his nets when he heard “follow me.” He was leaving for life.
Am I ready to do the same? Will I have the same passion for my Lord as my friend does for fly-fishing? Am I ready to make the commitment Peter made and drop whatever I'm doing and follow Him?
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mark 8:34)
I have a friend who is a financial planner. I have to call months in advance to make a lunch date. Yet he literally will drop everything to go on a fly fishing trip.
Peter dropped his nets when he heard “follow me.” He was leaving for life.
Am I ready to do the same? Will I have the same passion for my Lord as my friend does for fly-fishing? Am I ready to make the commitment Peter made and drop whatever I'm doing and follow Him?
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Mark 8:34)
What Is the Answer
June 10
She is unemployed seeking the right job. “I'm trusting in the Lord. I'm not going to struggle with this thing any longer. Why did it take me so long to give it to Him?"
She lingers for my reply. Then, as if someone else said it, I state, "because you weren't ready to trust Him before."
"That's the answer," she says over her shoulder as she walks away.
“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)
She is unemployed seeking the right job. “I'm trusting in the Lord. I'm not going to struggle with this thing any longer. Why did it take me so long to give it to Him?"
She lingers for my reply. Then, as if someone else said it, I state, "because you weren't ready to trust Him before."
"That's the answer," she says over her shoulder as she walks away.
“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Old Course
June 9
St. Andrews is where golf was invented. I am in Scotland on a business trip and play a round on a links course. I join two local businessmen. About the fourth hole I tee off first. Before me is a tundra of sand, bushes and tall grass. I gasp, “ This is the worst looking hole I've ever seen." A voice says calmly, "You are facing the wrong way sir!"
For years I had been facing the wrong way in my life. Then I changed directions.Do you need a new direction for your life?
"I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." (John 8:12)
St. Andrews is where golf was invented. I am in Scotland on a business trip and play a round on a links course. I join two local businessmen. About the fourth hole I tee off first. Before me is a tundra of sand, bushes and tall grass. I gasp, “ This is the worst looking hole I've ever seen." A voice says calmly, "You are facing the wrong way sir!"
For years I had been facing the wrong way in my life. Then I changed directions.Do you need a new direction for your life?
"I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Drawing on the Ground
June 8
Before uttering those famous words, ’let he who is without sin cast the first stone’ we read: “Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger,” (John 8:6) He does it a second time. (John 8:8)
What is all this writing in the dirt? Why mention it at all?
On a subsequent reading of this passage the reason became clear. The Gospel of John is an eyewitness account. The writer was simply describing what he saw and heard. That is the way it happened. Hallelujah!
“This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.”
(John 21:24)
Before uttering those famous words, ’let he who is without sin cast the first stone’ we read: “Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger,” (John 8:6) He does it a second time. (John 8:8)
What is all this writing in the dirt? Why mention it at all?
On a subsequent reading of this passage the reason became clear. The Gospel of John is an eyewitness account. The writer was simply describing what he saw and heard. That is the way it happened. Hallelujah!
“This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.”
(John 21:24)
An Apology to My Teachers
June 7
I am sorry for:
-causing a music teacher to hit me with a pitch pipe that squeaked afterwards;
-putting a cat in my teacher’s desk draw and kudos for how he handled it;
-breaking the glass in the door when I backed into it during horseplay in English;
-my part in the food fight that splattered an ice cream bar on the Principle's suit.
-waiting so long before taking my ultimate teacher seriously?
Thanks you for Your patience.
This student is ready and now I see the Teacher appearing everywhere.
“If we confess our sins he is faithful…”
(1 John 1:9)
I am sorry for:
-causing a music teacher to hit me with a pitch pipe that squeaked afterwards;
-putting a cat in my teacher’s desk draw and kudos for how he handled it;
-breaking the glass in the door when I backed into it during horseplay in English;
-my part in the food fight that splattered an ice cream bar on the Principle's suit.
-waiting so long before taking my ultimate teacher seriously?
Thanks you for Your patience.
This student is ready and now I see the Teacher appearing everywhere.
“If we confess our sins he is faithful…”
(1 John 1:9)
D-Day Revisited
June 6
A reporter I met in 1959 had returned to Normandy to do a 15th anniversary story.
He said the beach was empty except for a couple in their early thirties walking hand in hand along the water’s edge. He asked the couple where they were that day in 1944. They pointed to a concrete bunker. Both, teens then, had been conscripted as
orderlies by German gun crews. The couple met when they took cover from the Allies' barrage. Later they married.
Isn't that what the invasion was about, to free people from bondage to love one another?
"Love endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)
A reporter I met in 1959 had returned to Normandy to do a 15th anniversary story.
He said the beach was empty except for a couple in their early thirties walking hand in hand along the water’s edge. He asked the couple where they were that day in 1944. They pointed to a concrete bunker. Both, teens then, had been conscripted as
orderlies by German gun crews. The couple met when they took cover from the Allies' barrage. Later they married.
Isn't that what the invasion was about, to free people from bondage to love one another?
"Love endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Ethnic Joke
June 5
Don is a good minister. One Sunday he tells a joke about a minister who wired all the pews in his church. He asked "all who pledge $100 a week stand up," He pushes a button and several people are jolted to their feet. Applause. He does it again for $50 etc. After the service the preacher notices a Scotsman slumped over in his pew.
As I leave that service I tell Don he needs to take the Scotsman out of the joke.
He does and none to soon,for at the next service there is a visiting family from Scotland.
"Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.”
(Prpverbs 19-25)
Don is a good minister. One Sunday he tells a joke about a minister who wired all the pews in his church. He asked "all who pledge $100 a week stand up," He pushes a button and several people are jolted to their feet. Applause. He does it again for $50 etc. After the service the preacher notices a Scotsman slumped over in his pew.
As I leave that service I tell Don he needs to take the Scotsman out of the joke.
He does and none to soon,for at the next service there is a visiting family from Scotland.
"Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.”
(Prpverbs 19-25)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Last Words
June 4
A pastor friend shares that when his car was about to collide with another, he yelled "Oh Sh--." He felt ashamed, horrified. “These could have been my last words,” he laments.
Are last words important? They certainly were for one thief at Calvary.(Luke 23:42)
God, just in case I don't get the chance to say something appropriate, let me echo Your Son's words now.
"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23: 46)
A pastor friend shares that when his car was about to collide with another, he yelled "Oh Sh--." He felt ashamed, horrified. “These could have been my last words,” he laments.
Are last words important? They certainly were for one thief at Calvary.(Luke 23:42)
God, just in case I don't get the chance to say something appropriate, let me echo Your Son's words now.
"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23: 46)
Monday, June 2, 2008
A Fish Sign
June 3
For my birthday one year Joy gives me, among other things, a key chain with a medal fish sign, the symbol adopted by the early followers of Jesus. A few days later I notice the fish sign is missing from the key chain. I take this as a bad omen.
Our car is showing its age 11 years and 175,000 miles. We drive another 3,500 miles that summer on faith and prayers. The engine is noisy and it is leaking oil. I take it to a repair shop. The mechanic comes into the waiting area holds out his hand. “I found this on top of the block.” It is the fish sign.
“You called in trouble, and I delivered you.” (Psalms 81:7)
For my birthday one year Joy gives me, among other things, a key chain with a medal fish sign, the symbol adopted by the early followers of Jesus. A few days later I notice the fish sign is missing from the key chain. I take this as a bad omen.
Our car is showing its age 11 years and 175,000 miles. We drive another 3,500 miles that summer on faith and prayers. The engine is noisy and it is leaking oil. I take it to a repair shop. The mechanic comes into the waiting area holds out his hand. “I found this on top of the block.” It is the fish sign.
“You called in trouble, and I delivered you.” (Psalms 81:7)
Another God Thing
June 2
Tonight I share, “A God Thing,” on the computer with the other members of the Gifts from God board. The Chairman relats he helped a man who was out of gas. That encounter lead to a grant from the man’s family foundation. “That was a year ago,” the chairman said, “I ran into him last month on the same road again out of gas? He said, ‘guess it is time for another grant.” It was.
Who else can arrange a timely rescue, twice leading to needed funding?
“The Lord hath done some great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126:3)
Tonight I share, “A God Thing,” on the computer with the other members of the Gifts from God board. The Chairman relats he helped a man who was out of gas. That encounter lead to a grant from the man’s family foundation. “That was a year ago,” the chairman said, “I ran into him last month on the same road again out of gas? He said, ‘guess it is time for another grant.” It was.
Who else can arrange a timely rescue, twice leading to needed funding?
“The Lord hath done some great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalm 126:3)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
A God Thing
June 1
I’m on a library computer, type in the web site for airline tickets, hit enter and up comes the Foundation Center Directory online. I’m reminded I am meeting in the morning with a Christian organization to talk about foundations. I had forgotten how close the meeting is. But God hadn’t.
The log indicates no entry for the Foundation Directory this day. So how did I get this password- protected site I wasn’t looking for but which I needed?
“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)
I’m on a library computer, type in the web site for airline tickets, hit enter and up comes the Foundation Center Directory online. I’m reminded I am meeting in the morning with a Christian organization to talk about foundations. I had forgotten how close the meeting is. But God hadn’t.
The log indicates no entry for the Foundation Directory this day. So how did I get this password- protected site I wasn’t looking for but which I needed?
“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)
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