May 15
Our youngest daughter tells her Mom, “among my fondest childhood memories 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)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Confrontation in the Park
May 14
Helen helps feed 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 feed 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)
Forest Fire
May 13
In college I volunteered 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 volunteered 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)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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 steep 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 steep 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)
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 other bird. First bird was I love you Mal. Second bird I love you Lord. I always saw birds in odd numbers. I knew He would win. We were playing on His turf with His birds and with His sky. I know I cannot out-love my Lord but it is sure fun trying. Try it.
“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 other bird. First bird was I love you Mal. Second bird I love you Lord. I always saw birds in odd numbers. I knew He would win. We were playing on His turf with His birds and with His sky. I know I cannot out-love my Lord but it is sure fun trying. Try it.
“God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.”
(1John 4:16)
A Gift from the Lord
May 11
We met at a church program for singles. She was a greeter and welcomed me with a big smile and a "how was your week?" I thought, 'it just got better.' I made sure I ended up sitting next to her in the breakout session. Eighteen months later we were married in that same church.
Long after we had fallen in love I mentioned our age difference, I am eighteen years older. Her response was "I figured if you weren't going to bring it up, I wasn't either."
"A prudent wife is from the Lord." (Proverbs 19:14)
We met at a church program for singles. She was a greeter and welcomed me with a big smile and a "how was your week?" I thought, 'it just got better.' I made sure I ended up sitting next to her in the breakout session. Eighteen months later we were married in that same church.
Long after we had fallen in love I mentioned our age difference, I am eighteen years older. Her response was "I figured if you weren't going to bring it up, I wasn't either."
"A prudent wife is from the Lord." (Proverbs 19:14)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Confronting a Neighbor
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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