A Comforting Sign

December 29

Before they left the funeral home the sisters prayed for a sign that their deceased dad was all right. A few days later Diane was listening to Public Radio while driving her car. Faith Middleton, was interviewing an author who responded to a question by saying, “It all began when I was shipwrecked off the coast of Africa.”
That’s how her dad started every bedtime story when they were girls. She called her sister who had heard the same program while driving in another state. They took this as a sign their dad was ok.

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever.”
(Psalm 136.3)

Cheerful Giving

December 28

The minister said there were ten apples in the basket and took one out to illustrate tithing. "This one is for God," the minister said holding up the apple. A little girl said, "Poor God, only gets one apple." The minister ate the apple while telling of the widow's gift of two Mitre coins. Placing the core in the offering plate she asked, "When we give are we giving just what is left over?" That was a sobering question. Am I willingly and joyfully sharing my bounty or am I just giving leftovers?

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

New York Cab Driver

December 27

I was catching all the lights green. I zipped across Broadway to the other side to continue my journey when suddenly traffic was coming directly at me. I was heading right for a cab. Breaks squealed and I swerved to the right and he did the same. Both cars came to a screeching halt side by side. Slumped over his wheel the cabby whispered, "One way buddy." It seemed all of New York was staring at me. Clearly I was at fault. I didn’t know the city to be driving the way I did.

"It is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet." (Proverbs 19:2)

The Day After

December 26

The Christmas wrappings are trash, the stockings are empty and soon it will be time to store the decorations for another year. I admit to a day after Christmas let down. Why can’t we smile some more and wish each other happiness as we did yesterday. I want to linger a little longer to the notion of peace on earth. I want to hold onto Christmas everyday and not go back to ‘normal.’

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

A Granddaughter's Christmas Wish

December 25

Joyous asked our nine-year-old granddaughter what she wanted for Christmas.

"MiMi, I know exactly what I want for Christmas but I won't get it."

"What's that Rowan?"

"I want world peace and that no child would go hungry."

We can all help this wish come true...by loving our neighbor as we love ourself and by contributing to our local food bank.

I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My bretheran,you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)

Speak Up

December 24

It is Christmas Eve and we are to give the “moment of sharing” at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Ct. Joy has a bad case of laryngitis. We pray hard.
At the 5:30 service she is barely audible.The Senior minister says tell Joy to speak up.
At the 7:30 service her voice is a little louder.
By the 9:30 service her voice is stronger.
At midnight she sounds like herself. I share with that congregation how the Lord has been answering our prayers. There is applause for God. Driving home Joy turns to say something and her voice is gone. It doesn’t return to normal for two days.

"With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

The Wise Men

December 23

The story is familiar. Magi come from the East, following a bright star. "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped him." (Matthew 2:11)
HOUSE! What happened to the stable?
The wise men traveled better than a year to find the new king, which explains when they didn’t return to Jerusalem paranoid Herod orders all children two years and younger slain. Wise men obey God and act on faith. I should too.

"And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod they returned to their country by another route." (Matthew 2:12)

Ice Breaker

December 22

Many of us hadn’t met before so the hostess played a game to break the ice. Each of us was to say three things about ourselves, one of which was a lie. I said:
“I spent a day with poet Robert Frost;
President George Bush Sr. greeted me to the White Housse; “Tony Randall said he saved my life.”

Actually it was Barbara Bush who greeted me. The game is an exercise in how to deceive by twisting the truth. The master deceiver, Satan, does this all the time..

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)

Advent Can get Personal

December 21

It is Advent but our nation is at war.
The Priest’s heart is heavy with the killing and by the atrocities men do to other men.
He says he turned on the TV and a woman is asked what she would like most this Christmas. She sings, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
The Priest says, "I wept. I knew what I had to do and it has to begin with me," We agree, to find peace it starts with us.

Jesus lived the words of that song, "Let there be peace and let it begin with me."

"I did not come to judge the world but to save it." (John 12:47)

Born Again

December 20,2011

"Are you a Christian?" YES

"What denomination are you?" I'M BORN AGAIN

"Oh. What event did you have?" EXCUSE ME?

"The Born Agains I know all went through some crisis or life changing event."

BEING BORN AGAIN IS THE LIFE CHANGING EVENT!

Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Most Assuredly I say to you,unless one is born again,he cannot see the Kingdon of God." (John 3:3)

Toll Taker

December 19

The front page of The Hartford Courant has a picture of two toll stations on a bridge. Both have green lights but one is empty while the other has a line of cars. The caption explains the commuters are going out of their way to show their appreciation to a friendly toll taker on his last day at work.

That picture shows me I can be God's aroma of love to everyone, no matter what I'm doing or where. Isn’t that the best place to be, in His will?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Its a Wonderful Life

December 18

The video I bought was Frank Capra's classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." I didn’t know the story but I like Jimmy Stewart.

The main character George Bailey is a good man but blames himself when things start going wrong. He had misplaced his faith.

The message is an important reminder that when our heart is right and we help others God will bail us out just as George Bailey was delivered in the film. It is a wonderful life when we see God in it.

“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and He adds no sorrow to it.”
(Proverbs 10:22)

Its all Attitude

December 17

She was in her 80's and walked a mile everyday to the church office arriving with a smile and a kind word for everybody.

Then there was Leo, “Mr. Fix It,” drawing after his car rolled backwards demolishing a metal shed he had just erected. What are you doing Leo? “I'm designing a new shed and this time I'm making it out of wood, so if this ever happens again, at least I'll have some kindling left."

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Shopping

December 16

While shopping Joy saw a young mother struggling with two little girls. She was speaking sharply to them.
I said to those girls “aren't you fortunate to have such a nice Mom who brings you shopping with her.” Walking down the aisle I heard the woman address her girls in a pleasant tone of voice.
“That was God using me to reach that young mother." Joy mused, "God wants to use us to give words of encouragement."

I can do that I thought. Who can I encourage?

"Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”
(Matthew 20:26)

On The Air

December 15

It is my big chance to do the midday café show, on campus radio. I am the disc
jockey and my own engineer. The hour goes well, I think, and I fantasize some pretty coed making her way over to Davis Hall to get a glimpse of the man behind the voice. I end on time and reach for the main power switch. HORRORS. It is already off. My voice has never left the studio.

Lesson learned.If I am not connected to my power source all I do is for naught.

"I am the vine. You are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

God Speaks in Many Ways

December 14

God speaks to us in many ways, most notably through His Word. Many times I have picked up my Bible and there is the very passage I need for that moment.
Charlie, a friend, while laying in traction thought, “Ok God you have my attention.”
God often speaks loudest through our circumstances.

God wants to interact with us. Listen and notice God’s way in your life.

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven.” (Hebrews 12:25)

Christmas Carols

December 11

There we were, about 20 strong including about eight young children, singing carols in the dining room. Several residents and their visitors sang along with us from their tables. Then we went singing to those who had their meals at their bedside. We left wishing all a Merry Christmas. Joy exclaimed, "This is the best thing I've done this Christmas."

It is wonderful all the little things God does through us.

"I was sick and you visited me. Assuredly I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:36-40)

Charitable Gift

December 10

As advisers to a handicapped facility we would sometimes learn of needs of the
Individuals. One lady wanted a special attachment for her apartment, which was not covered by financial assistance. I gave the director a small check for the item.
Months later during an open house Joy went on a guided tour. Driving home she says, “I’m glad I came, otherwise I would never have known about your gift. The resident saw my name tag and told me how appreciative she is.”

“and your Farther who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
(Matthew 6:4)

Freedom

December 9

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
December ninth is Joy’s freedom day. On this day a spiritual sister helped her through The Steps To Freedom in Christ outlined by Neil T Anderson, author of The Bondage Breaker. “Now I know the truth, God loves me, I am His child,” she says. “God used this to open my eyes and ears to His truth.” In a symbolic ceremony Joy gave up those things keeping her in bondage from knowing the freedom that God offers all of us.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”(James 4:7)

History Lesson

December 4

In Westminster Abbey there are statues to British figures dating to the 17th century. In the crypt are graves that predate the Mayflower. Outside of London I tour the ruins of an old Roman garrison. Yet we are told in the history of our planet the last five minutes has been mankind.

“Indeed, You have made my day as handbreadths. My age is nothing before you; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Surely every man at his best walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches and does not know who will gather them.” (Psalm 39:5-6)

Recession House Sale

December 3

It is a buyer’s market with the average house sale taking six months or more. We are moving in a month and need to sell fast.
I am pounding a for sale sign into the ground when a car stops in front of our house. The young lady driver says she has been looking for a house on this street. A week later she buys our house. Realtors call and can’t believe we sold the house so quickly. They didn’t know that we had asked God to be our real estate agent.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.” (Philippians 3:6)

Every Day is a Gift

December 1

Another day to hear the birds sing,
A chance to see another rainbow,
An opportunity to learn something new,
More time to forgive and to forget,
Another day to appreciate all that grows,
Lord thank you for another day to serve,
Another chance to make a difference,
More time to laugh, linger and love,
Time to embrace the moment
Everyday is a precious gift.

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)