Fighting the battle

February 11

 

He was 24, handsome, healthy and building an airstrip as a Seabee on Guadacanal in 1943.Now, 79 he sits staring at the floor. He is fighting a different war now and he is fighting alone.

 “He didn't do the work," as Joy puts it, giving up control to God. If we stay in denial we end up alone."  He could still "do the work," but a Bible near his bed remains unread.

 "All flesh is as grass. And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flowers fall away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.

(1Peter 1:24)

How to live each day with joy

 

February 10

 

The media constantly fills our ears and eyes with messages. Yet, despite all this most of the thoughts we have come from one source. Ourselves. Self-talk can be good or bad. Every idea, or act of love, begins as a thought. Every sin, or crime begins as a thought. We can control what we think or at least how long we think it.

 

One of the most important instructions in the Bible deals with controlling self-talk. These nine words are the best advice to living every day joy filled.

 

“ bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10: 5)

God gives Baby Blankets

 

February 9

 

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," Joyous says.

 "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

 

Postscript: Twenty years later a sweet friend in South Carolina reads this true story in Go Figure Sarasota, and sends Joyous her preserved hand knitted baby blanket. God's blessings never cease.

 

Under Authority

 

 February 8

 

My induction into the U.S. Army was February 8. 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)

God knows what is best for you

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.We relocated that fall.

 "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)

God leads us to a church

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.

The next Sunday after the service we meet Bob and Anne Gamble and become friends. That summer in Connecticut our pastor friend as if we met that couple. "We lost your note," we confess. The Pastor writes the name again, “Bob and Anne Gamble.”
God gave us a name, then a calling card with a map to find His church. We have been serving that church now for 19 years this week.

 "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

Boarding the wrong plane

February 1

 

Just before takeoff I notice a friend, Edna, takes a seat up front. Once in the air she comes back to visit. She asks me why I am going to New York? Surprised I said, "I'm not. This plane is going to Baltimore."

Edna is furious. “We said Baltimore when each passenger boarded.” The flight attendant says sternly

 We can get going so fast that we don't hear the directions for our lives. For a long time I was headed for the wrong gate.

 

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go by it. (Matthew 7:13)