March 13
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Today the doctor calls reporting negative readings from her mammograms. Joy says “the elephant sitting on my chest is gone.”
At one point in my life I had such restriction in one arm that I couldn't get into a coat by myself. The same thing began happening to my leg and when I stood up I couldn't move for several seconds. X-rays and an exam detected no physical problems. All these problems, which I experienced first hand, went away when I reduced the stress in my life.
"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
On Buying a Used Car
March 12
The prospect of owning a newer car is exciting but I don't look forward to the haggling over the price. It is awkward. It’s embarrassing. It’s stressful. I know that moment is coming. How much do I offer? The sales person is going to try to out-maneuver me then he has to check with somebody in another office. I wait. When a deal is done why do I wonder if I could have bought it for less? Then I drive home and don't I tell the first person that admires the car, how little I paid.
"It is good for nothing cries the buyer. But when he had gone his way he boasts."
(Proverbs 20:14)
The prospect of owning a newer car is exciting but I don't look forward to the haggling over the price. It is awkward. It’s embarrassing. It’s stressful. I know that moment is coming. How much do I offer? The sales person is going to try to out-maneuver me then he has to check with somebody in another office. I wait. When a deal is done why do I wonder if I could have bought it for less? Then I drive home and don't I tell the first person that admires the car, how little I paid.
"It is good for nothing cries the buyer. But when he had gone his way he boasts."
(Proverbs 20:14)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Air Raid Drill
March 11
When I was in elementary school we had air raid drills. We would march by twos down the street to the brick library(my school was wood). All went well until the day our principle announced the possibility of a real air raid, not a drill. We were sent home immediately. Kids ran down the sidewalk screaming. Somebody yelled, "I hear a plane," I hit the ground.
As a child I had misplaced fears and so did my teachers that day. As an adult I have fears but this time I’m placing them in the right hands.Outsource your fears.
“But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)
When I was in elementary school we had air raid drills. We would march by twos down the street to the brick library(my school was wood). All went well until the day our principle announced the possibility of a real air raid, not a drill. We were sent home immediately. Kids ran down the sidewalk screaming. Somebody yelled, "I hear a plane," I hit the ground.
As a child I had misplaced fears and so did my teachers that day. As an adult I have fears but this time I’m placing them in the right hands.Outsource your fears.
“But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)
Journal Entries
March 10
"God Loves every one of us as if there is but one to love." (St. Augustine)
"You will never lock eyes with someone for whom Christ didn't die." (Bill Hybels)
"God makes Himself known through the hungry, the homeless and the unloved."
(Mother Theresa)
"If you are going through a time of discouragement there is a big personal enlargement ahead." (Oswald Chambers)
“Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”
(Ecclesiastes 10:13)
"God Loves every one of us as if there is but one to love." (St. Augustine)
"You will never lock eyes with someone for whom Christ didn't die." (Bill Hybels)
"God makes Himself known through the hungry, the homeless and the unloved."
(Mother Theresa)
"If you are going through a time of discouragement there is a big personal enlargement ahead." (Oswald Chambers)
“Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”
(Ecclesiastes 10:13)
Ballard
March 9
He was in his mid-forties when he became the rector of the Episcopal Church that I attended. He was a teddy bear, large, gentle and comforting. He baptized two of my children, buried one and married one. Ministers tend to do that over time. He boarded up my house when a truck plowed through it and urged me to do more with my life when I was comfortable. We cried, laughed, and prayed together. He listened, praised and prodded and when it was time for me to move on he helped me leave. Ballard was one of my God-sent friends.
"A real friend sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
He was in his mid-forties when he became the rector of the Episcopal Church that I attended. He was a teddy bear, large, gentle and comforting. He baptized two of my children, buried one and married one. Ministers tend to do that over time. He boarded up my house when a truck plowed through it and urged me to do more with my life when I was comfortable. We cried, laughed, and prayed together. He listened, praised and prodded and when it was time for me to move on he helped me leave. Ballard was one of my God-sent friends.
"A real friend sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
Monday, March 8, 2010
Some Prayers Take Time
March 8
A small group in Florida, meeting in a private home, are discussing starting a church. One person says they envision the new church being like Willow Creek, a large nondenominational church in West Barrington, Illinois. At this point the hostess opens her purse and removes a tattered newspaper clipping about Willow Creek. “Since reading this I have been praying for a church like that to be started here,” The clipping is 12 years old.
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)
A small group in Florida, meeting in a private home, are discussing starting a church. One person says they envision the new church being like Willow Creek, a large nondenominational church in West Barrington, Illinois. At this point the hostess opens her purse and removes a tattered newspaper clipping about Willow Creek. “Since reading this I have been praying for a church like that to be started here,” The clipping is 12 years old.
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Fear of Flying
March 7
Joy shares with our small group her fears about flying. She is seated next to a woman who teaches religion at a college.
Joy asks, “Why is your seat going back and forth? I don’t think playing with your seat is a good idea in this turbulence.”
The lady smiles, “ Maybe if you weren’t gripping my arm rest so tightly and the seat button it wouldn’t be moving.”
By talking about it and getting on that plane as her action step of faith, Joy is mastering her fear rather than letting fear master her. What fears must you confront?
“Give all your worries to God for He cares what happens to you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
Joy shares with our small group her fears about flying. She is seated next to a woman who teaches religion at a college.
Joy asks, “Why is your seat going back and forth? I don’t think playing with your seat is a good idea in this turbulence.”
The lady smiles, “ Maybe if you weren’t gripping my arm rest so tightly and the seat button it wouldn’t be moving.”
By talking about it and getting on that plane as her action step of faith, Joy is mastering her fear rather than letting fear master her. What fears must you confront?
“Give all your worries to God for He cares what happens to you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
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