Wrapped in Prayer

March 1

This morning Joy asks me to pray with her. She is going to a surgeon's office for her painful breasts. She hadn't been gone long when the phone rings. It was Steve, a friend. He says, "I was just coming out of the doctor's office and who do I run into but Joy. We hugged in the entryway. She seemed glad to see me. I called so we can pray for her over the phone.” We do.

When Joy returns calmed and relieved, she starts to tell me about running into Steve. "I know, we prayed for you over the phone." She begins to shake at the thought of it.

"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

Encourage Each Other

February 28

The lights are on in the appliance reair shot but the door is locked.Obviously the owner is out. As I descend the wooden steps, a car rolls in next to mine.

"He is not here,"

"Figures! He is often out on calls."

That begins a fruitful conversation. Believers have a way of connecting and soon we are talking about doing God's work. We agree that our meeting that day is God's way of strengthening each of us,

That evening I read in my Bible:
"I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other." (Romans 1:12)

How to Find a Parking Space

February 27

It happened again today. I know parking is very limited at this medical building and I'd rather not use the valet parking for a number of reasons. I pray for a spot. I find one but it turns out to be handicapped. As I'm backing out I see a car leaving the very spot that had been provided yesterday.

Thank you Lord. I can't remember the number of times ths has happened. Try praying for a parking place.

"All things you ask in prayer,believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)

Being Rich

February 26

It is stewardship Sunday at the Federated Church in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The pastor, Graig Peel, uses an acrostic, RICH, to convey his stewardship message.
"Receive everything from God.
"Invest in others cheerfully
"Choose what you really want and let God guide your choices
"Hold onto the one who holds onto us."

Since I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I can’t be any richer than that.

"I you abide in My word, you are My disciple indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:3)

How Has God Blessed Me This Day?

February 25

How has God blessed me this day?
I slept in a warm comfortable bed.
Next to me is a loving mate, His gift.
My home has plumbing and a roof.
There is peace and quiet.
Drinkable water and food abounds..
I am free of pain.
I have family and friends
There is laughter. joy and found memories
Forgiveness and grace have been given.
I live in the land of the free.
My Lord loves me.
There is so much for which to be thankful.

“This is a day the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad in it.”(Psalm 118:4)

Under Authority

A nephew has just graduated from Marine boot camp. We are all proud of Chris. He left home as a teenager and returned a disciplined young man ready to serve his country.

Anybody who succeeds in the military and especially a Marine has to submit to authority. By doing so he is one step closer to his Commander and Chief and I don't mean our President.

"The centurion said,'Lord I am not worthy for You to come under my roof but say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with soldiers under me...I say go and he goes and to another Come! and he comes." When Jesus hear this he marveled and said:"Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel." Matthew (18:8-10)

Handling the Little Things

February 23

Joy and I try to not let the little things get to us. She had a habit of piling things in front of the door she didn’t want to forget. I objected lovingly. The next day things were piled to the side of the door.
I would leave grooming gear out on the bathroom counter and Joy will quietly put it away. I take the hint, now I do it.
There is a saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff.” We try to live by this and one of us will remind the other by saying, “small stuff."

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
(I Corinthians 14:4)

Some Guideposts for Living

February 22

Here are some scripture verses I seek to live by:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

“Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2Cor 10

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And lean not on you own understanding."
In all your ways acknowledge Him and
He shall direct your paths." (Pr. 3:5,6)

“Seek and you will find.” (Matt. 7-7)

How a Home is Built

February 21

We had gone to look at a house. Driving back Joy looks at me with loving eyes and says, "Thank you for wanting to buy me a bigger and better home. We really can't afford that house right now and besides the master bedroom, bathroom and hallway need a lot of work."

When we arrive at our home it doesn’t seem so small and it feels comfortable. I literally open my Bible and read:

"Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
(Proverbs 24:3-4)

High Fives

February 20

"I rode my bike today without the training wheels, all by myself,” she said happily.
"You did?"
"Yep and I rode all the way," (deep breath) "all the way from down the street."

"That's wonderful Kyle. Way to go girl." They exchange high five's.

Sometimes I feel I still have the training wheels on my bike of faith. I know when I finally ride off in complete faith God will be there to say, "Way to go."

“I say to you that there will be more joy in heaven for one sinner who repents than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)

Fire Ants

February 19

I was washing the car and Joy was planting flowers nearby when she screamed. Fire ants were crawling up both her legs and up the side of the house. I turned the hose on her. Miraculously, Joy escaped without being bitten. I calmed down and so did the Fire Ants. Thank God we were given dominance over these and other creatures. Without our God-given brains we wouldn't stand a chance."

“Let man have domain...over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
(Genesis 1:26)

Soap Box Derby

February 18

Four Cubs release their model cars down a ramp. Their car rolls down the slope past the finish line- except one, my son’s car. The wheels had bound up-no lubricant.
I was mortified. The other boys empathized with my son. He was fine.
I felt I had let Robbie down. I really laid a guilt trip on myself. Now I realize it was my ego getting in the way. My son doesn’t need a dad who is great at everything, just one who loves him..

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Sports Bar Bible Quiz

February 17

I’m at a sports bar watching a basketball game on a channel I don’t get at home. The sound is off, a Pursuit Challenge game is in progress.

The announcer asks, "What is the name of the last book in the Bible?” A man asks me, "I know some of the books of the Bible but I don't know the order, what’s the last one called?”

"Its called Revelation," He writes it down and circles six, the most points he can bet. I should have said, read the Bible it is worth a lot more than six trivia points. Opportunity missed. Sorry Lord!

“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Vision Day

February 16

Shivering in bed with a fever it hits me. I’m under attack. Of course! The enemy doesn’t want this meeting tomorrow to happen. I’m to facilitate Vision Day for a Christian organization serving the poor.
Joy and I pray for a recovery and strength.God is faithful. The next morning I feel better. The happiest to see me is the director and his wife who also had prayed.

“I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”(Matthew 18:19)

Bobby Bowden

February 15

Bobby Bowden, the successful football coach at Florida State University, is the speaker on the fifth anniversary of South Shore Community Church where I attend.
"I believe in the Word," he says, holding up a Bible.” He tells about one game day he suddenly realizes it is his mother's birthday. He orders flowers and hastily writes “ I hope you live to be 100."

His mother responded, "You short changed me, I have been saved since age 13, so I'm planning on living forever."

"Most assuredly,I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life."
(John 6:47)

A Special Valentine

February 14

The Gifts from God Ministry, which feeds the homeless every Sunday announces this Valentine’s afternoon two homeless will be getting married in the park. A pink cardboard sign shaped like a heart proclaims Lee & Lynda. You don't use last names with the homeless. They repent individually before taking their vows. The reception is the normal food line plus a donated wedding cake. All are fed, homeless, volunteers, seekers and believers, alcoholics and non drinkers.

"Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and in what they are doing." (Philippians 2:4)

Friday the 13th

February 13

It is Friday the 13th but don 't you worry about a thing. Remember:

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and acknowleged him in all your ways
and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Wisdom from the Ages

February 12
The grandfather told his grandson that there are two lions fighting in his head. "One is evil and the other is good. The evil one fights for doubt, worry, lust, pride, jealousy, hate, selfishness and discouragement. The good lion fights for faith, humility, confidence, love, kindness,unselfishness and encouragement."

The grandson thought for a minute then asked, "Which lion wins."

His grandfather answered, "The one you feed."

(One of those anonymous e-mails with a nugget of truth.

Doing the Work

February 11

The photograph shows him at age 24, handsome, healthy and defending his country as a Seabee on Guadacanal in 1943. Now the picture is different. He is 79, sitting on the edge of the bed staring at the floor. He is fighting a different war now and he is fighting alone.
“He didn't do the work," my wife Joy says,"giving up control to God. If we stay in denial we end up alone."

He could still "do the work," but a Bible near his bed remains unread. Joy sits next to him, praying quietly for her dad.

"All flesh is as grass. And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flowers fall away, But the word of the Lord endures forever. (1Peter 1:24)

A Tip for Living each Day

February 10

The media constantly fills our ears and eyes with messages. Yet, despite all this most of the thoughts we have come from one source. Ourselves. Self-talk can be good or bad. Every idea, or act of love, begins as a thought. Every sin, or crime begins as a thought. We can't control what pops into our head but we can control how long it stays there.

One of the most important instructions in the Bible deals with controlling self-talk.

“ bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10: 5)

The Prayer of Jabez

February 9

Bruce Wilkinson wrote, The Prayer of Jabez. The book is based on two lesser-known verses in the Bible, which are no longer obscure.
I prayed the prayer for thirty days. At the end, I found myself leading a small group and assisting an interim pastor when our senior pastor went on emergency medical leave.

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me. and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.
So God granted him what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)

Memorable Date

February 8

My induction into the U.S. Army was February 8, 1954. My life was no longer my own. Being totally controlled by an authority helps me better understand this exchange between Jesus and the centurion. "Lord, say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one 'Go,' and he goes; and to another 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'do this,' and he does it."

"When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him… 'I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel." (Luke 7:7-9)

Baby Blanket

February 7

My wife is a baby blanket person. These are people who grow up dragging baby blankets around for peace and comfort.
When a dear friend died unexpectedly a family took her in for the night. Their seven-year-old son had a tattered blanket called “Bob.” During the night the boy silently lays “Bob” in her arms and goes back to his room.

"My heart melts. He gave up his baby blanket to comfort me. It was God's way of loving me that night."

"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

Slippery When Wet

February 6

I stepped briskly out the front door—onto glare ice. I slid off the front stoop and came down hard on the cement steps.
This is dumb. Why am I in Connecticut in February in freezing rain? As a consultant I can work anywhere. Why not Florida?

Shortly after my fall I receive a call that leads to a six-month contract in the Sunshine State just what I was looking for and the answer to my wife’s prayers.

"Your father knows that you need these things. Seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." (Luke 12:30-31)

Directions from God

February 5

A pastor in Connecticut gives us a couple’s name to look up when we arrive
in Sarasota, Fl. We lose the note. Weeks later a Sarasota attorney tells me he and his wife are helping people start a church. He hands me a calling card for South Shore Community Church with a map on the back. On Sunday after the service we meet Bob and Anne Gamble and become friends. That summer in Connecticut our pastor friend asks if we looked up the couple she suggested.We admitted losing her note. She writes the name again, Bob and Anne Gamble. God gave us a name,then a map to find His church.We have served that church now for more than 15 years.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

Memorable Breakfast

February 4

I am having breakfast with a friend from church. He asks,"would you like to join me and a few other guys for prayer, Bible reading and accountability."

He had no way of knowing but on New Year's Day I had written out my annual goals one of which is finding an accountability partner. Joy prayed for this diligently. God often gives us more than what we ask for. In this case He threw in a group for study and fellowship.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

Open House

February 3

A trash truck stalls going up the hill opposite our ranch house. The driver can’t hold the truck with the manual breaks and it rolls backward down the hill across our lawn and crashes through our picture window. Fortunately we had left earlier that day for vacation. No one is hurt.

Some say we were lucky and others call it fate. I look at the tire tracks going over where the playpen had been on our lawn hours before. I know we are blessed.

“God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe.” (Psalm 91-2 The Message)

Ground Hog Day

February 2

Its Ground Hog Day! Tradition says that if the Ground Hog sees his shadow today there will be six more weeks of winter. I grew up hearing these old sayings. Many are found in the Bible. My Mom said "red at night, sailor’s delight...red at dawn sailor be warned." (Matt 16) My dad said, "there is a fly in the ointment." Ecclesiastes 10:1.
“Pride goes before a fall,” my grandmother chided. (Proverbs 16:18)

I grew up hearing these paraphrases of Solomon's wisdom.. Pity I didn't grow up hearing, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)