September 15
I never met a porpoise I didn’t like.
My first personal meeting with a porpoise outside of an aquarium was in waters off Panama. I was out on the bowsprit of a fishing boat and one swam along side and rolled inside our bow wake, looked at me and squealed. I leaned over and said hello. The porpoise squealed a greeting at me. This went on for several minutes. It was a friendly encounter I still cherish. I wonder what the porpoise was thinking?
"So God created great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:21)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Parking Ticket
September 14
This morning I drive downtown for a meeting. There are two parking spaces on the street near the hotel. I take the one nearest the corner so I can get out quickly.
Less than an hour later there is a ticket on my window. I parked in a no parking area and the quarters I had put in the meter were for the parking space in front of me.
A friend says, " Don’t fuss over it, or it will you cost more than the amount on the ticket." That tip is 2,000 years old.
"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21)
This morning I drive downtown for a meeting. There are two parking spaces on the street near the hotel. I take the one nearest the corner so I can get out quickly.
Less than an hour later there is a ticket on my window. I parked in a no parking area and the quarters I had put in the meter were for the parking space in front of me.
A friend says, " Don’t fuss over it, or it will you cost more than the amount on the ticket." That tip is 2,000 years old.
"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Special Moments
September 12
We are looking for kindling. My son, 4 runs back and hugs my leg. Looking up with a big smile he says, "Dad isn't this fun picking up sticks, just you and me?"
My teen daughter beckons, "Dad you have to see this." I join her astronomy class at the top of Talcott Mountain. A chill runs up my back as I look into the scope and clearly see Saturn and its rings glowing like a toy top in dark space.
Any parent holding a baby for the first time must feel an encounter with our Creator. How about you?
“Come behold the works of the Lord."(Psalm 46:8)
We are looking for kindling. My son, 4 runs back and hugs my leg. Looking up with a big smile he says, "Dad isn't this fun picking up sticks, just you and me?"
My teen daughter beckons, "Dad you have to see this." I join her astronomy class at the top of Talcott Mountain. A chill runs up my back as I look into the scope and clearly see Saturn and its rings glowing like a toy top in dark space.
Any parent holding a baby for the first time must feel an encounter with our Creator. How about you?
“Come behold the works of the Lord."(Psalm 46:8)
Attack on America
September 11
This is the day there was a deliberate attack on America. We are shocked.
That evening I join others in church. The first prayer isn’t for the victims or their families (although that would come later) it is for repentance. Is this a wake up call for America to stop worshipping idols? What about all the people killed? Then I read what Jesus said in Luke.
“Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem. I tell you, no: but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5)
This is the day there was a deliberate attack on America. We are shocked.
That evening I join others in church. The first prayer isn’t for the victims or their families (although that would come later) it is for repentance. Is this a wake up call for America to stop worshipping idols? What about all the people killed? Then I read what Jesus said in Luke.
“Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem. I tell you, no: but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5)
Friday, September 10, 2010
First Love
September 10
The visiting pastor thought, "I can give a better sermon than this." He listened as the older man list indicators of a cold heart.
1. No delight to be in God's presence,
2. No desire to be with other believers,
3. Decrease longing for God's word,
4. Less desire to give or serve God
5. Reluctant to tell others about God.
The young pastor was convicted and shared this talk with his own flock asking us to recommit. We did.
"You have forgotten your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (Revelations 2:1-5)
The visiting pastor thought, "I can give a better sermon than this." He listened as the older man list indicators of a cold heart.
1. No delight to be in God's presence,
2. No desire to be with other believers,
3. Decrease longing for God's word,
4. Less desire to give or serve God
5. Reluctant to tell others about God.
The young pastor was convicted and shared this talk with his own flock asking us to recommit. We did.
"You have forgotten your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." (Revelations 2:1-5)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Church Camp
September 9
The real purpose of church camp was to teach young boys about Jesus. I recall one moment. The teacher used a beaker full of a red liquid to represent our sinful self. “This is what happens when we ask Jesus into our lives to forgive our sins.” He then poured something into that beaker. The red disappeared instantly. That was cool to an eleven-year old, yet it would be forty years before I fully understood and accepted what that teacher was illustrating to a bunch of boys that morning.
“Truly I say to you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3
The real purpose of church camp was to teach young boys about Jesus. I recall one moment. The teacher used a beaker full of a red liquid to represent our sinful self. “This is what happens when we ask Jesus into our lives to forgive our sins.” He then poured something into that beaker. The red disappeared instantly. That was cool to an eleven-year old, yet it would be forty years before I fully understood and accepted what that teacher was illustrating to a bunch of boys that morning.
“Truly I say to you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3
Soft and Hard Putty
September 8
The preacher came down the aisle holding two cans of putty, one contained putty which, had hardened after exposure to the air and the other was a new can that contained soft pliable putty.
"When our hearts are open we are pliable and God can mold us like clay but when our hearts are neglected they become hard.”
I need to give up what I think I am and let God mold me into what He intends me to be.
Jeremiah said only with God's help can we be softened. Jeremiah said God told him, “When you search for Me you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart!”
(Jeremiah 29:13.)
The preacher came down the aisle holding two cans of putty, one contained putty which, had hardened after exposure to the air and the other was a new can that contained soft pliable putty.
"When our hearts are open we are pliable and God can mold us like clay but when our hearts are neglected they become hard.”
I need to give up what I think I am and let God mold me into what He intends me to be.
Jeremiah said only with God's help can we be softened. Jeremiah said God told him, “When you search for Me you will find Me; if you seek Me with all your heart!”
(Jeremiah 29:13.)
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