March 17
This morning Joy is up and preparing to go to Tampa to fly to Connecticut. She is going on a three-day winter retreat with twelve other women. .
The phone rings. It is the Soldier's Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts. They have a bed for her dad, Walter. He has been on the waiting list for a year. "God is great, perfect timing,” Joy marvels. She had planned to stay over Tuesday after the retreat and visit her dad. Now she can move him into the Soldiers Home.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)
Friday, March 16, 2012
A Promise Keeper
March 16
Joy ran into the house shouting the car was on fire. Outside I find steam coming from an over heated engine. I’m putting air in my bike tires to pedal to my men's bible study when Joy opens the garage door
“Yes, Jesus! We will not be defeated. Praise God," she shouts. As it turned out, the Lord had a better idea. My men's study group came to me. After they left, I went into the garage to deal with the car. I notice Joy had taped a sign to the door, "A Promise Keeper Lives Here"
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”(Proverbs 13:12)
Joy ran into the house shouting the car was on fire. Outside I find steam coming from an over heated engine. I’m putting air in my bike tires to pedal to my men's bible study when Joy opens the garage door
“Yes, Jesus! We will not be defeated. Praise God," she shouts. As it turned out, the Lord had a better idea. My men's study group came to me. After they left, I went into the garage to deal with the car. I notice Joy had taped a sign to the door, "A Promise Keeper Lives Here"
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”(Proverbs 13:12)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Fallen Heroes
March 14
How often man falls from lofty heights. Names that jump quickly to mind are: Jimmy Baker, President Clinton, Tonya Harding, Charles Keating, President Nixon, O.J. Simpson, Martha Stewart,Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods. How about Arthur Anderson, Enron and World Com. It is all so sad.
Such falls can and do happen to all of us.
The rest of us are just not as visible. We have been warned. When will we learn?
"How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (Proverbs16:16)
How often man falls from lofty heights. Names that jump quickly to mind are: Jimmy Baker, President Clinton, Tonya Harding, Charles Keating, President Nixon, O.J. Simpson, Martha Stewart,Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods. How about Arthur Anderson, Enron and World Com. It is all so sad.
Such falls can and do happen to all of us.
The rest of us are just not as visible. We have been warned. When will we learn?
"How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (Proverbs16:16)
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Elephant is gone
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)
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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 11, 2012
Buying a Used Auto
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)
The Rehearsal
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. 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.
“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. 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.
“But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Ask and Believe
March 8
A small group, 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, 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)
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