Strong Passage

April 30

This morning I have breakfast with a friend. Before leaving the house I receive a strong message for his son who is attending a very strict fundamentalist Christian school. His dad is worried that his son will become judgmental and legalistic.

As I read the passage I realize that it isn’t just for the son but for all of us.

"Judge not that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.(Matthew 7:1-2)

Loving Correction

April 29

The words stung. The truth often does. I couldn't blame anyone else .I was quiet. I was hurt. She sensed this and said she was sorry if she hurt me. Wisely, she didn't apologize for what she said.

As a loving wife she was sorry if her words hurt me. It was my wife’s voice but I felt the correction was from the Lord


"My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,Just as a father the son in whom he delights." (Proverbs 2:11-12)

Misguided Faith

April 26

Our small group video this evening is about the destructive Crusades of the 11th century and is entitled "Misguided Faith."

A lively discussion follows the film. No one condones the violence of the Crusades. Finally someone asks, "What would Jesus have done?"
I think of the restraint Jesus showed His disciples in the garden.

“One of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, ‘Permit even this,’ and He touched his ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:50-51)

Missionary Challenges

A Trip to China


April 25

While with a study group in China I notice the Chinese think nothing of coming up to a couple of us tourists who are talking and stand only inches away smiling and staring. I wonder how a Chinese person would react to a high five or a hug. I didn't try either but I appreciate more the cultural hurdles and challenges faced by missionaries bringing the Gospel to others around the globe.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

Face in the Mirror

Small Lessons


April 24

There is the portable phone, off the charger and the closet light left on again.

I use to get excised over such things now I quietly put the phone back and turn out the light. I learned my lesson from the Bible.

One day I saw the phone sitting on a table in my office and the fan was left going. But my wife wasn't the one who had left the room.. I heard that inner voice say, "See you do it too, so there!"

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3)

Wedding Day


April 23

It is pouring. By 11 mom, grandma and I pray, "Lord just let it stop raining and let the sun come out on this wedding day."

By noon it stops. The sun comes out. Upon arrival we learned that the ceremony would be indoor, much of the lawn is still under water. We had prayed for a sunny day but not for an outdoor wedding. Nevertheless it is a beautiful wedding. I melt dancing when the bride whispers, "Thanks dad for a fairy tale wedding."

"How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! (Psalm 36:7)

April 22 Ed, a successful insurance agent and a leader in our church in Connecticut, calls his wife Faith from his car phone. "Sorry I missed you," he says on the recording, "just called to say I love you." He dies of a massive heart attack back at his office. Thank God Ed acted on an urge to call his wife and tell her he loves her. I wonder where that urge came from for this man of faith? At his memorial service a group of men sang an appropriate tribute to their friend. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Hugh

April 20

He walks down our street twice a day always waving when a car passes. Hugh will keep an eye on the house when you are away and take in any packages. One rainy morning I saw Hugh going driveway to driveway, picking up the newspaper and tossing it closer to the front door so people wouldn’t get wet. This is not a trivial service from someone who is 91.

Hugh is a Godly example of what the Lord wants us all to be.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

A Frozen Coal Car

April 19

Kenny and I unloaded a frozen coal car for his dad. It was a dirty, backbreaking job. That day impacted our lives.
Years later I asked an educated man from a housing project the key to his success. He said, "The day I decided to do something with my life was the day my dad made me help my uncle unload a frozen coal car.”

What if dads were as diligent helping their sons discover God as they are about encouraging their work ethic and careers?

"Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

A Large Cross

April 17

St. Anne's Shrine is located on a hillside in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Joy climbs the steep stairs to the large cross. "Then I saw dozens of hair pretties lying about, left by women who were moved to leave part of themselves there.” Joy says, adding,"that Cross is a double invitation. We can take everything we need from it like; hope, love and our salvation, and we are invited to leave at the foot of the cross what we don't need like; worries, fears and our sins." Not hair pretties.

"Come take up the cross, and follow Me." (Mark 10:21)

Joy Receives an Answer

April 16

Saturday afternoon the phone rings. It is the elderly lady Joy had left Friday. Seems the care agency called and said the woman who was to start Monday has quit would Joy come back until they can find a replacement..

Joy thought she was suppose to leave this assignment. She asks the Lord what she is to do and opens her Bible and reads:

“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your
light shall dawn in the darkness and your darkness shall be as the noonday.
(Isaiah 58:10)

IRS Audit

April 15

It’s 4 a.m. I face an IRS audit today. I have nothing to hide but I can’t find all the documentation to justify all my home business deductions. By eight my CPA and I are at the IRS office with my two large boxes of records. Each time the agent asks for evidence I would find a receipt. After we left my accountant said,” I've never seen an audit like this. You were so lucky."

I said, “It isn't luck. I am blessed! Joy wrapped this whole thing in prayer."

"Call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will give me glory."
(Psalm 50:15)

The 23rd Psalm, for Living

April 14

This Psalm I heard most often at funerals.But the words are for us, the living.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” That is for us-here and now.
“Green pastures and still waters” are for living sheep. “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." I recited this psalm driving over a suspension bridge to cure a fear. I sense God's presence every day, indeed “my cup overflows" with His love.

"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23 ends with a great promise. Read it again.

Tenebrae

April 13

I attended a Tenebrae supper at church eating soup and bread. I sat opposite Tom, I asked about his wife. He said she didn't go out much since they lost their son. The lights dimmed for the service. I noticed Tom was crying and I felt terrible. On Easter, there was a smiling Tom greeting people. I apologized but He laughed.
"Oh it wasn’t anything you said. “ I always cry at Tenebrae when I think of what my Lord went through."

“They will mock Him, and scourge Him and spit on Him and kill Him. Three days later Three days later He will rise again.” (Mark 10:34)

Angel Sticker

April 12

Our youngest daughter called her mom saying she was feeling depressed.

Joy said, "You know those angel stickers I sent you, stick one on your forehead and look in the mirror."

She did, chuckled and forgot about it and wore it to work. She had a great day. How can you have a bad day when people see you as a little angel?

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians (4:4-5)

A Need to giggle more

April 11

Joy asks for prayer for a woman she is meeting downtown. They go into a photo booth together. Once inside they begin to giggle like two schoolgirls. “It became hilarious, uncontrollable laughter," Joy says, “ the kind that is good for the soul.”

I had prayed that Joy would minister to this woman and the response is more than I had anticipated. The Spirit touched both their aching hearts with wholesome laughter. We need to giggle more.

"We were filled with laughter and we sang for Joy." (Psalm 126:2)

Jessica's Shot

April 9

My granddaughter is seven and has come to stay overnight with Grampy and Joy. She has type I Juvenile Diabetes and has to have an insulin injection twice a day.

Her mother had shown me how and I had practiced on an orange. I’m nervous and pray silently. The Lord answers me through the child. Jessica squeezes some flesh together on her leg and says, "Come on Grampy, we can do this together." We do. Praise The Lord.

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will give Me the glory." (Psalm 50:15)

Happy Easter

April 8

Easter Sunday I am one of the greeters for our church. The greeting is going well until I hear myself say, "Happy New Year." Where did that come from? "And Happy New Year to you,” the people respond. Then it dawns on me. It is a Happy New Year on the church calendar. The church began with His resurrection. Without Easter there is no Christian church. So “Happy New Year.”

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

Good Friday

April 6

Now that I realize what Jesus did that Friday, good seems like an understatement. Why isn't it Great Friday or Sacrifice Friday or Super Friday or God Friday?
A friend reminds me this time of the year that “you have to go through Good Friday in order to get to Easter." Jesus knew He had to die for us to live. The Lamb of God went obediently to the Cross.

That first Friday was indeed, God Friday.

Even during those excruciating hours on the cross, Jesus had the compassion to pray, "Father, Forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Petrified Wood

April 5

He was sedated and didn’t remember me visiting him yesterday in the hospital. “You told me details of an article you read in the barber shop on petrified wood.”

"Well, I did get my haircut but I don't remember the article," he said. Scientist say our brains store everything but we are limited by our ability to recall details. We may have forgotten but God hasn't.

"For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

Being Fulltime

April 4

At breakfast a businessman tells me, “Maybe I need to be full-time in Christian service."

I hear myself say, “Maybe it isn't about being in full-time Christian service but about being a full-time Christian."

I needed to hear that myself. "That statement didn't come from me, it just came out of my mouth." I said.

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 6:18)

Jury Duty

April 3

I report for jury duty. I am impressed by the seriousness and thoroughness of the court to insure a fair trial. My faith in the US judicial system is reaffirmed. I contrast this with another judicial system.

At my final trial there will be no jury. Just a judge who will find me guilty as charged. My defense counsel will approach the bench and will point out He has already paid the price and I will be set free.

“ By grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God and not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Key to Daily Living with Peace

April 2

There are ten words in the Bible that are key to living each day free with peace.

Every sin begins with a thought and if we nip it in the bud and not dwell on it we eliminate worry, doubt, hate, bitterness, selfishness, stress and much more.

We are daily in a battle with our thoughts, every minute of every day. So how do we
change our thoughts? Paul gave the answer to the Corinthians. Try this it works.

“bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Fool's Day

April 1

“Fools mock at making amends for sin.” (Proverbs 14:9)

I have a dark side and a shadowy past. It grieves me now to think of it. Many sins I recall quite painfully. Others I have conveniently forgotten, I’m sure. Thank the Lord for grace and redemption. I have asked the Lord's forgiveness for each and every offense I remember and for those I don’t.. I know God has forgiven me. He knows my heart and that I truly have repented for these transgressions.

“I say to you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)