New Years Eve

December 31

Four grandparents wait in the hospital for the birth of a granddaughter. I’m sure this baby, weeks overdue, will be here before years end for I had prayed for that and heard a clear ‘yes.’

Midnight—no baby! The message had been so clear. Did I misunderstand?

At 12:15 the new father reports baby is here. I ask when was she born? “ He says apologetically, “I’ve been busy cleaning her up, it was 11:45."

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
(Deuteronomy 7:9)

Time to Leave

December 30

“Everything will be fine you’ll see,” his mother said lovingly.
“But suppose the world does end,” the boy insisted, “I won’t ever see you again.”
She assured him, “I’ll see you in Heaven. You will go up from here and your Dad and I from the Civic Center.”

“How will I find you in Heaven, it will be more crowded than the Civic Center?”

She hugged him. “Remember, Heaven has pearly gates wait for me there. Ok?”

“That’s a deal Mom.”

“Mizpah, because he said, ‘May the Lord watch between me and you when we are absent one from another.” (Genesis 31:49)

Go Figure

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. They took this as a sign their dad was ok.

For other true "Go Figure" stories go to gofigureamerica.blogspot.com

“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 spoke out, "Poor God, only gets one apple."

The minister proceeded to eat the apple while telling of the widow's gift of two Mitre coins. Placing the core in the offering plate the preacher 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? How about you? What are we going to do in the New Year?

"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 Cabbie

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. The cabbie, slumped over his wheel, slowly lowered his window and said almost in a whisper, "One way buddy."

It felt like all of New York was staring at me. Clearly I was at fault. I didn’t know the Big Apple 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 regress.

“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)

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas.

There is no greater present than God's gift to all of us. The gift of the Christ child. We just have to accept God's gift by embracing His love.


"Behold, I bring you good tidings of joy, for this day for this day has been born for you a Savior,
who is Christ, the Lord." Luke2:10-11

Glory to God. Peace on earth and good will toward men

It is Christmas Eve

December 24

It is Christmas Eve and we are to give the “moment of sharing” tonight 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.
By the 7:30 her voice is a little louder.
At the 9:30 service her voice is stronger.
At 11:00 she sounds like herself. I share with that congregation how the Lord has been answering our prayers that she could speak up. 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 why the paranoid Herod orders all children in Bethlehem two years and younger be slain. Wise men obey God and act on faith. We 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 in the White House; andTony Randall said he saved my life.” Which do you think is false?

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. Beware!

“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)

Attack on Christmas

December 21

It happens every year at this time. People attack Christmas. They point out the wreath, the candy cane even the Christmas tree is not biblical. They'll say Xmas (taking Christ out), Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. The Christmas display on my town green has long been removed by court order. Major retailers like Best Buy, Office Max, Sears, Staples and Walgreens didn't mention the word Christmas in advertising last year. Their reason, "they didn't want to offend people," other than Christians that is.

This month our pastors preached a series on "The Baby changes everything," The Baby in a manger. That's biblcal. That's priceless. For eveything else there is a chage card.

"blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." (Luke 11:28}

Advent Gets Personal

December 20

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)

The Best Place to Be.

December 19

The front page of The Hartford Courant has a picture of 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 newspaper picture shows me I can be God's aroma of love to everyone, no matter what I'm doing even as a toll taker. Isn’t that the best place to be, in God's will?

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

"It's 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 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)

It Is 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."

My wife told listners, "This is going to be the best Christmas ever...because I choose it to be."

“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 sees a young mother struggling with two little girls. She is speaking sharply to them. Joy kneels by their shopping cart and says to the girls, “aren't you fortunate to have such a nice Mom who brings you shopping with her.” Walking down the aisle she hears the woman address her girls in a pleasant tone of voice.

“That was God using me to reach that young mother." Joy muses, "God wants to use us to give words of encouragement." I can do that I thought. Who can I serve?

"There for as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people." (Galatians 6:10)

My Radio Debut

December 15

This 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.” Oswald Chambers said, "God speaks to us often through our circumstances."

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

“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)

Technical Paper

December 13

The class assignment in Technical Writing is to prepare a detailed paper on the disassembly and assembly of something with several moving parts. My paper receives a passing grade and I now knew how to take my shotgun apart. I am feeling pretty smug .

A week later my mother says, " I found this under your bed, do you know what it is?" It is from the gun. I reread my paper twice but I had not recorded that piece coming off the gun or going back. I have no clue what it is. When I'm comfortable I'm close to a fall.

"God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." (Proverbs 3:34)

Christmas Gifts

December 12

Every year this woman has raised funds, buy gifts and distribute them to needy families. But this year she was feeling depressed over not selling her house and had no energy for anything.

One weekend her house sold and on Monday her boss informed her that all the sales associates decided not to exchange Christmas presents but buy toys instead and donate them to ‘her project." She says, “I felt it was God saying, Ok the house is sold, here are the toys, now go distribute them. Isn’t our God awesome?”

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”
(Psalm 136:1)

Christmas Carols

December 11

There we were, about 20 strong including about eight young children up front, singing carols in the dining room of an assisted living facility. 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. " I think we were blessed more than the residents.

"From His love we have all received, and grace upon grace." (John1:16)

A Gift in Secret

December 10

As one of the advisers to a handicapped facility I would sometimes learn of needs of the
individuals residents. One lady wanted a special attachment for her apartment, which was not covered by financial assistance. I quietly gave the director a small check for the item.

Months later during an open house Joy went on a guided tour. Driving home she smiles, “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)

Christmas Cards

December 8

I look at Christmas cards differently than I did some years ago. I used to send the religious cards to the minister and a few church friends, the Currier and Ives scenes to most people on my card list and the humorous cards to family and close friends. Now I send cards appropriate to the “ reason for the season,” to all on my list. I don’t write Xmas anymore, to me that is crossing Christ out of Christmas.
One Christmas card I received contains a timely reminder.

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
(John 1:16)

Arizona Memorial

December 7

In the motor launch to the sunken battleship Arizona my daughter and I notice there are as many Japanese tourists on board as Americans. The attack on Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941 is as much a part of Japanese history as it is of ours. I am surprised by this but not angry. I'm proud that this nation has followed the policy of reconciliation it has with its former enemies. It really is the only way to lasting peace. Jesus must be proud too.

"I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

Picking Out a Christmas Tree

December 6

At this time of year when I lived in Connecticut we’d head out to Bob Merriman’s Tree Farm in Burlington to pick out a live tree. The kids and dog loved roaming the woods searching for the perfect tree.

My children and now grandchildren are like those trees. We get them as seedlings with a short time in which to shape them and give them roots. I’ve shared the excitement of searching for a Christmas tree with them. I must share with them the joy of knowing the maker of that tree.

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

Christmas at Home

December 5

My first Christmas was 1933. I was a depression baby and grew up in a working neighborhood. Like TV's, “The Waltons,” we didn’t have much but we had each other.
Christmas was a special time in our family. We had a cut tree, electric candles in the windows, and fresh wreath on the door.

Unlike the Waltons, Bible reading was not central in my family. However, my parents modeled moral values and I know the Lord blessed us. God loves a loving family.

“ And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.
And the hearts of the children to their fathers…” (Malachi 4:6)

"Here Comes My Guardian Angel"

December 4

An angel is “a messenger of God.” This is the first definition listed in the dictionary.
I stop in a coffee shop in a small city. The young woman behind the counter appears to be sad. I ask if she is OK. She tells me she has just come from the hospital where her mother is facing a sensitive operation in the morning. I say I will pray for her and her mom.

A week later as I'm entering that same coffee shop I hear her say to another customer, “Here comes my guardian angel.” I’m not, of course, but God did use me to bring her a message of hope. Who does God want you to help today?

“I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Selling a House

December 3

It is a buyer’s market with the average house sale taking six months. We are moving in a month and need to sell fast. I am pounding a for sale by owner 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)

God Is Always Near.

December 2

My van is zipping along when I hear “whap.” The battery gauge drops to zero. I exit and head for the nearest gas station,

“Here’s your trouble, “ the owner says pulling out a shredded belt. "We don't fix those here you'll have to call for a tow."

While waiting for a tow truck I realize how blessed I am. Yesterday I was driving this van in another state on a dark road with miles between exits. Praise the Lord for his continue mercies.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Another Day

December 1

Another day to hear the birds sing,
A chance to see a new 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 one above
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)