May 15
Our youngest daughter tells her Mom,“one of the fondest childhood memories I have are the tents you made for me out on the deck of our condo.
One year my granddaughters then eight and nine created a birthday card together and printed their names in large letters with, “I love you, PS Thank you for taking us to Sunday school." If that is how they remember their "Grampy" in the years to come, I consider myself blessed.
"Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged, parents are the pride of their children." (Proverbs 17:6)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Confrontation in the Park
May 14
Helen helps feeds the homeless in the park on Sunday afternoons. She is feeling ashamed. "Last Sunday" she confessed, " Bob called us a bunch of hypocrites and called God names. I lost it and I got in his face. Bob quivered and cried.” Then Wayne talked with him and he was ok.”
We praised Helen for speaking up for God. Helen was having trouble thinking God would use her in such a way.
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21)
Helen helps feeds the homeless in the park on Sunday afternoons. She is feeling ashamed. "Last Sunday" she confessed, " Bob called us a bunch of hypocrites and called God names. I lost it and I got in his face. Bob quivered and cried.” Then Wayne talked with him and he was ok.”
We praised Helen for speaking up for God. Helen was having trouble thinking God would use her in such a way.
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Forest Fire
May 13
In college I volunteer to help fight a forest fire. We are stationed at a farm near the chicken coops. We wait. There is a loud crack, like a crowd reacting at a football game. A wall of fire rushes toward us. The intense heat drives us back. Our small back pumps and shovels are useless against this inferno. The fire pauses at a dirt road. Now is our chance to stop it if the wind dies down. We pray for no wind. The air becomes still and we are able to contain the fire. Thank you Lord. You did it again.
“He rebuked the wind…there was a calm.”
(Luke 8:24)
In college I volunteer to help fight a forest fire. We are stationed at a farm near the chicken coops. We wait. There is a loud crack, like a crowd reacting at a football game. A wall of fire rushes toward us. The intense heat drives us back. Our small back pumps and shovels are useless against this inferno. The fire pauses at a dirt road. Now is our chance to stop it if the wind dies down. We pray for no wind. The air becomes still and we are able to contain the fire. Thank you Lord. You did it again.
“He rebuked the wind…there was a calm.”
(Luke 8:24)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Pondering
May 12
Sitting under a pine tree with my feet in the Gulf of Mexico is a wonderful place to meditate.My pondering is interrupted by a voice in my head. “Go help somebody.”
I rise taking some bottles left under this tree by people before me. I climb the bank to a walkway to search for a trash can. A woman and a little girl are approaching. The woman says: "Nice of you to pick up someone else's trash.” How did she know it wasn't my trash? She couldn't see me down the bank.
“The ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.”
(Proverbs 5:21)
Sitting under a pine tree with my feet in the Gulf of Mexico is a wonderful place to meditate.My pondering is interrupted by a voice in my head. “Go help somebody.”
I rise taking some bottles left under this tree by people before me. I climb the bank to a walkway to search for a trash can. A woman and a little girl are approaching. The woman says: "Nice of you to pick up someone else's trash.” How did she know it wasn't my trash? She couldn't see me down the bank.
“The ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.”
(Proverbs 5:21)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mother's Day
May 11
Our first date was meeting in the balcony at First Church of Wethersfield on Mother's Day. Eighteen months later we were married in that same church. Years later she would say, "I knew you were the one on our first date."
"How could you tell on our first date?"
"Because when you drew close sharing the hymnal I could smell you and you smelled just like my baby blanket."
"A prudent wife is from the Lord." (Proverbs 19:14)
Our first date was meeting in the balcony at First Church of Wethersfield on Mother's Day. Eighteen months later we were married in that same church. Years later she would say, "I knew you were the one on our first date."
"How could you tell on our first date?"
"Because when you drew close sharing the hymnal I could smell you and you smelled just like my baby blanket."
"A prudent wife is from the Lord." (Proverbs 19:14)
Friday, May 9, 2008
Good Morning Lord
May 10
This morning I woke up with a song in my heart and it brought a smile to my face. "Good Morning Lord. What would You like to do with this day?"
"We" went for a walk around the neighborhood and played a little game.
“We” exchanged "I love you" every time I see a bird first the Lord, then me.I knew He would win. We were playing on His turf with His birds and in His sunlight. I know I cannot out-love my Lord but it is sure fun trying.
“God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.”
(1John 4:16)
This morning I woke up with a song in my heart and it brought a smile to my face. "Good Morning Lord. What would You like to do with this day?"
"We" went for a walk around the neighborhood and played a little game.
“We” exchanged "I love you" every time I see a bird first the Lord, then me.I knew He would win. We were playing on His turf with His birds and in His sunlight. I know I cannot out-love my Lord but it is sure fun trying.
“God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.”
(1John 4:16)
A Day Later
May 9
Joy asks the Lord to calm our hearts toward our neighbor and the cut Jasmine on our fence.
Today our neighbor appears, full of apologies. “I was devastated when I saw what our yard man had done.” He offers to make amends and we part friends.
Joy and I are glad we didn’t confront our neighbor last night with our emotions and that Joy had prayed instead.
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”(Mark 11:25)
Joy asks the Lord to calm our hearts toward our neighbor and the cut Jasmine on our fence.
Today our neighbor appears, full of apologies. “I was devastated when I saw what our yard man had done.” He offers to make amends and we part friends.
Joy and I are glad we didn’t confront our neighbor last night with our emotions and that Joy had prayed instead.
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”(Mark 11:25)
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