New Years Eve Baby

December 31

Here we are New Years Eve, two sets of anxious grandparents in the visitors room waiting for the arrival of a granddaughter. The baby has been expected since Christmas day but she is on her own schedule. Her mother is exhausted but finally in the maternity ward.

I'm sure this baby will be born before midnight because I had asked God in prayere two days ago if the baby could be born before the end of the year. The response I heard in my head was "yes, but remove that hat from the top of the Christmas tree and replace it with a light." I complied.

Eleven thirty comes and goes. No Baby. Then midnight and still no word. What happened? The message had been so clear. Did I misunderstand God?

At 12:15 the new father opens the waiting room door and announces the baby is here? Everything is fine. I ask when did she arrive?

"At 11:45 " he says apologetically, "I've been busy cleaning her up.

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

What if the world ends?

 

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)

A Year End Blessing

 

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.

 

A disheveled 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)

Christmas, the next day

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)

Wise men listen

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, who by then was a toddler. The time table also explains when they didn’t return to Jerusalem paranoid Herod orders all children in Bethlehem two years and younger 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)

The Real Christmas Spirit

 

December 22

 

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 picture shows me I can be God's aroma of love to everyone, no matter what I'm doing or where and not just at Christmas. 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)

Way to find peace this Christmas

 

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)

Its a Wonderful Life

Week of December 17

One Christmas week I purchased a video of Frank Capra's classic "It is a wonderful life." The film starring Donna Reed, James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore has a strong message for all of us.Geoge Bailey, played by Stewart, is a Godly man but who lost confidence and blamed himself when things started going wrong. He had misplaced his faith.

The message is that It is a wonderful life when do what is right and we see God in it.We will be delivered as George Basiley was in the film.

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

Surprise Christmas Presents

 

December 13

 

 Every year this woman has raised funds and donated gifts to needy families. But 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.’

 

“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)

Give without fanfare

 

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)

Being Set Free

 

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)

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.” I don’t write Xmas anymore, to me that is crossing Christ out of Christmas.A E-cards and

text greetings seem impersonal...but that is me.

One Christmas card I receive stands out. Its  message is a timely reminder.

 

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

Less We Forget December 7

December 7

 

In the motor launch to the sunken battleship Arizona I notice there are as many Japanese tourists as Americans. Pearl Harbor 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)

Home for Christmas

 December 5, 2012

My first Christmas was 1933. I was a depression baby and grew up in a working  neighborhood. Like “The Waltons,” we didn’t have much but we had each other.

Christmas was a special time. We had a cut tree, electric candles in the windows, a 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)

Recession house sale

 

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 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 prayed and 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)

Praise God for His mercies

 

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 which is right off this ramp.

“Here’s your trouble, “ the owner says pulling out a shredded belt. While waiting for a tow truck I realize how blessed I am. Yesterday I was driving this van 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 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)