Will Work for Food

August 31

Ever see a person with a cardboard sign that reads "will work for food?"
I ask, “Does your sign mean what it says, will work for food?” He says yes. I drive him to my house and he mows my lawn. He is desperate for money to pay the rent and to buy food for his wife and child. He has some leads for work but nothing has come through.I pay him in cash, not food, and drive him to his neighborhood. We are both blessed this day.

"He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he." (Proverbs 14:21)

FIRE!

August 28

FIRE! The word yells at you. It demands action." Call the fire department! Let's go!
"Where are Pat and Steve?" "At the fire!"

We run up the hill behind the cottage. "It is steep--and long." "I smell it." "I see it.” Finally the top! There are two blackened faces, one boy holds a charged shirt. A circle of flames 10 feet in diameter is growing. Thank God there isn't a breeze. Finally firemen, who panted up the same hill with back pumps, douse the flames. All are safe.

"But I have trusted in your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:5-6)

Day in a Park

August 27

I sit and read my Bible. A woman with two girls in the play area asks, “Tell me in what book do you find the Tower of Babel? Whan I pause she adds," Oh I can look it up later.”

I leave surprised by her question. I look it up. Men decide to build a tower to become famous. In case I don’t get it, the commentary says, "We should glorify God, not build towers (riches) to get our self worth, which become more important than God." (NIV)

“Its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth." (Genesis 11:9)

Hot Day

August 25

"I had no idea why I bought four bottles of water," Joy tells me, "one bottle would have been enough for the trip home. Something just told me to buy four.
The bottles sit in a bag while she drives down the Mass. Pike to the exit for Sturbridge. "As I approach the toll station, I notice a family of four sitting by the side of the road with a dog. They are beat. I
stop, all are thirsty, especially the dog.

“Whoever shall give a drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no way lose his reward.”(Matt 10:42)

Yelling

August 21
A national magazine shared a survey of elementary school children who were asked if there was one thing they could change about their mom what would it be. Their answer-"not to yell at me." Ouch! Sorry Moms.

We received a call that a couple we knew was having a violent argument in front of their children. By the time Joy and I arrive the husband has left the house and the wife was still shaking from anger and fear. The confrontation started when one of the parents yelled uncontrollably at a child who refused to finish her breakfast. The other parent jumped to the defense of the child and a yelling match ensued. How different things can be when we follow the wisdom of the Proverbs.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
(Proverbs 15:1)

Handling Stress

August 22

We are moving and boxes are all over the living room. I fear two things I seek are in one of the taped boxes. “Let’s stop and pray right now,” Joy says.. “Lord we seek your help here. We need to find the work folder and the gift certificate or give Mal peace about it.”
I feel my stress subside. I thank her for her love. As I rise from my knees I spot an open box under the divan. Inside is my business folder and the gift certificate.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6

God Knows

August 21,2011
Robin helped her best friend Lisa pack and move from Florida to Texas.Feeling the loss of her friend, Robin went off to attend a new comers class at a church. She sat next to a sweet lady who told her during the break that her name was Lisa and she was feeling lonely because she had recently moved to Florida from Texas where she left her dear friend. Robin.

"...your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask him." (Matthew 6:8}

100 holes of golf in one day

August 20

It is a perfect day to play 100 holes of golf to raise funds for Christian charities. The object is to keep moving and finish. Each of us has raised pledges by the hole. I’m leaning on my club when the ground gives way and swallows my putter. I finish with a borrowed one. The golf pro suspects my old putter fell down the shaft of an old well. At the awards breakfast I win a new handcrafted putter. Now whenever I'm asked about my unusual looking putter, I say, "God gave me this putter. You see I was playing 100 holes of golf one day…

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…" (James 1:16)

Persistence

August 19

Dickey needed to pass lifesaving to be an Eagle Scout. He was handicapped with slow speech and weak legs. All the carries required strong kicking power. On his last day I said to Dickey, "I don't care how you do it. Bring Jim (my assistant) back,” He wrapped his legs around Jim and while on his back flapped his powerful arms. Jim's head and shoulders were out of water. It was smooth and quick. He met the test. God rewards honest persistence. Dickey was my instructor that summer.

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)

Unconditional Love

August 18

My teacher told the class my name, Malcolm meant “bald-headed monkey.” Laughter.

“Your teacher is mistaken, you tell her your name means bald-headed eagle,” Mom said.

My teacher apologized and told the class. A loving mother and a compassionate teacher had restored a boy’s self-esteem.

I didn’t fully appreciate my mom’s love for me until she was gone. I bet the Apostles felt the same way about Jesus.

God loves us so unconditionally that, “He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Reeling in Walter

August 16

Walter, Joy’s dad, and I are returning from lunch to the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke Ma. We enter the chapel together. I read from "Would you like to Know God Personally?" There is a suggested prayer to receive Christ through faith. I ask if this is his desire? He nods and he repeats the prayer. Then we pray together.

I call Joy who is still in Florida. I tell her and I hear a gasp. “I can't believe this. God is wonderful. The last two days I have been picturing my dad standing before Jesus, head bowed, fidgeting and holding his fishing pole.” Praise God.

“Rejoice with me; I have found my sheep which was lost.” (Luke 15:6)

Responding to a Rebelling Son

August 15

I love my son. For a time we tested each other. He was a "dead head" and I was a dull head. He had long hair, wore genes and smoked stuff. I had little hair, wore a suit and drank scotch. We were both lost. “I’m leaving school, I can always get a GED.” I pray for the right words. ”An interviewer is going to see GED on your resume and a red flag will go up. You will have to explain these years.” He quits. A year later he says, “I am going to get a regular diploma, a GED will be a red flag on my resume.” I quietly thank the Lord.

"Now go, I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:12)

Family Reunion

August 4

It is August and that means family reunion at Buffumville Park in Massachusetts.

There is something special about a family reunion and seeing each other and the children who grow so quickly into little people. Once a year our various busy lives intersect for a day. We share and care, not because we know each other well but because we are family. God wants us all to love each other, simply because we are all family, His family.

"A new commandment I give to you,love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:43)

Barred from Prison

August 3

Our prison services were suppose to start in February. I had April. I asked people to pray for me and they did. We never got into the Prison. The clearances hadn’t come through. We prayed for the men through the barbed wire fence.I was reassigned to December. A call in late November cancelled our group.
God didn't want me in that prison. Why? Wasn't I properly prepared? Wasn't my heart right?
A year later I heard God’s reply, "You never asked Me." It wasn’t His will that I go it was mine.

“For without Me you can do nothing.” (John 51:5)

Deserted Village

August 2

We paddle a skiff to a small beach and walk up the trail to the huts. Clothes hang on racks, two smoldering fires and chickens mill about but not a soul in sight. It is eerie. Now I have an inkling how missionaries must feel going to a remote area to share the Gospel. Their faith must be bigger than their fears. Is mine?

“Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and know I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”(Matthew 28:19-20)

Baseball Lesson

August 1

The coach is chiding his third baseman.
A grounded heads for third and the baseman, thoroughly rattled misplays the ball. As the inning ends the player storms off the field and slams his glove down.
The catcher tells him “cheer up, the coach only rides those he thinks have potential. It is his way of trying to bring the best out of you.” The third baseman lifts his head.
God is like that coach. He is trying to bring out our best. He knows what is inside. He put it there.

“For whom the Lord loves He corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11)