February 8
My induction into the U.S. Army was February 8, 1954. My life was no longer my own. Being totally controlled by an authority helps me better understand this exchange between Jesus and the centurion.
"Lord, say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one 'Go,' and he goes; and to another 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'do this,' and he does it."
"When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him… 'I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel." (Luke 7:7-9)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Baby Blanket
February 7
My wife is a baby blanket person. These are people who grow up dragging baby blankets around for peace and comfort.
When a dear friend died unexpectedly a family took her in for the night. Their seven-year-old son had a tattered blanket called “Bob.” During the night the boy silently lays “Bob” in her arms and goes back to his room.
"My heart melts. He gave up his baby blanket to comfort me. It was God's way of loving me that night,"Joy realized.
"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
My wife is a baby blanket person. These are people who grow up dragging baby blankets around for peace and comfort.
When a dear friend died unexpectedly a family took her in for the night. Their seven-year-old son had a tattered blanket called “Bob.” During the night the boy silently lays “Bob” in her arms and goes back to his room.
"My heart melts. He gave up his baby blanket to comfort me. It was God's way of loving me that night,"Joy realized.
"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
Slippery when Wet
February 6
I stepped briskly out the front door—onto glare ice. I slid off the front stoop and came down hard on the cement steps.
This is dumb. Why am I in Connecticut in February in freezing rain? As a consultant I can work anywhere. Why not Florida?
Shortly after my fall I receive a call that leads to a six-month contract in the Sunshine State just what I was looking for and the answer to my wife’s prayers.
"Your father knows that you need these things. Seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." (Luke 12:30-31)
I stepped briskly out the front door—onto glare ice. I slid off the front stoop and came down hard on the cement steps.
This is dumb. Why am I in Connecticut in February in freezing rain? As a consultant I can work anywhere. Why not Florida?
Shortly after my fall I receive a call that leads to a six-month contract in the Sunshine State just what I was looking for and the answer to my wife’s prayers.
"Your father knows that you need these things. Seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." (Luke 12:30-31)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Directions from God
February 5
A pastor in Connecticut gives us a couple’s name to look up when we arrive
in Sarasota, Fl. We lose the note. Weeks later a Sarasota attorney tells me he and his wife are helping people start a church. He hands me a calling card for South Shore Community Church with a map on the back. On Sunday after the service we meet Bob and Anne Gamble and become friends. That summer in Connecticut our pastor friend writes the name again, “Bob and Anne Gamble.” God gave us a name,then a map to find His church.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)
A pastor in Connecticut gives us a couple’s name to look up when we arrive
in Sarasota, Fl. We lose the note. Weeks later a Sarasota attorney tells me he and his wife are helping people start a church. He hands me a calling card for South Shore Community Church with a map on the back. On Sunday after the service we meet Bob and Anne Gamble and become friends. That summer in Connecticut our pastor friend writes the name again, “Bob and Anne Gamble.” God gave us a name,then a map to find His church.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)
Special Breakfast
February 4
I am having breakfast with a friend from church. He asks, "would you like to join me and a few other guys for prayer, bible reading and accountability."
He had no way of knowing but on New Year's Day I had written out my annual goals including finding an accountability partner. Joy prayed for this diligently. God often gives us more than what we ask for. In this case He threw in a group for study and fellowship.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
I am having breakfast with a friend from church. He asks, "would you like to join me and a few other guys for prayer, bible reading and accountability."
He had no way of knowing but on New Year's Day I had written out my annual goals including finding an accountability partner. Joy prayed for this diligently. God often gives us more than what we ask for. In this case He threw in a group for study and fellowship.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Open House
February 3
A trash truck stalls going up the hill opposite our ranch house. The driver can’t hold the truck with the manual breaks and it rolls backward down the hill across our lawn and crashes through our picture window. Fortunately we had left earlier that day for vacation. No one is hurt.
Some say we were lucky and others call it fate. I look at the tire tracks going over where the playpen had been on our lawn hours before. I know we are blessed.
“God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe.” (Psalm 91-2 The Message)
A trash truck stalls going up the hill opposite our ranch house. The driver can’t hold the truck with the manual breaks and it rolls backward down the hill across our lawn and crashes through our picture window. Fortunately we had left earlier that day for vacation. No one is hurt.
Some say we were lucky and others call it fate. I look at the tire tracks going over where the playpen had been on our lawn hours before. I know we are blessed.
“God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe.” (Psalm 91-2 The Message)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ground Hog Day
February 2
Its Ground Hog Day! Tradition says that if he sees his shadow today there will be six more weeks of winter. I grew up hearing these old sayings. Many are found in the Bible. My Mom said "red at night, sailor’s delight...red at dawn sailor be warned." (Matt 16) My dad , "there is a fly in the ointment." Ecclesiastes 10:1.
“Pride goes before a fall,” my grandmother chided. (Proverbs 16:18)
I grew up hearing these paraphrases of Solomon's wisdom.. Pity I didn't grow up hearing, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)
Its Ground Hog Day! Tradition says that if he sees his shadow today there will be six more weeks of winter. I grew up hearing these old sayings. Many are found in the Bible. My Mom said "red at night, sailor’s delight...red at dawn sailor be warned." (Matt 16) My dad , "there is a fly in the ointment." Ecclesiastes 10:1.
“Pride goes before a fall,” my grandmother chided. (Proverbs 16:18)
I grew up hearing these paraphrases of Solomon's wisdom.. Pity I didn't grow up hearing, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)
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