November 30
While visiting a small Lutheran church in Massachusetts I found a sheaf of yellow dots with sticky backs in the guest register in the pew. A note said to put one of these dots on the face of your watch to remind you to take time to pray. Good idea I thought.
Every time I look at my watch now I see that yellow dot and pray. I need that yellow dot in my life. How about you?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
My Kind of Guy
November 29
Bill was a family man, a partner in a large law firm and head of the community foundation board. I was on the staff. For years Bill had been quietly fighting cancer. He was back in the hospital again, this time he had his nose removed.
"I’ll have a dressing over the hole,” he said, “but I’m still going to the conference.” On the plane he was as upbeat as ever. Suddenly he sneezed. I blurted, “I didn’t know you could sneeze without a nose.” He smiled, “Sure, and I have a built in handkerchief.”
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.” (Proverbs 16:17)
Bill was a family man, a partner in a large law firm and head of the community foundation board. I was on the staff. For years Bill had been quietly fighting cancer. He was back in the hospital again, this time he had his nose removed.
"I’ll have a dressing over the hole,” he said, “but I’m still going to the conference.” On the plane he was as upbeat as ever. Suddenly he sneezed. I blurted, “I didn’t know you could sneeze without a nose.” He smiled, “Sure, and I have a built in handkerchief.”
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.” (Proverbs 16:17)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
A Glass of Wine
November 28
A pastor tells me that he and his wife were dinning out with her best friend and her atheist husband who is also a cynic. The waiter came to their table and asked for a drink order. The skeptic orders a class of the house wine. When the waiter leaves the man flashes a big smiles ans says, “Reverend too bad Jesus isn’t here, he could turn my cheap glass of wine into the best."
The pastor says to himself, I’m not going there. He ignores the comment and the ladies engage in a conversation. The waiter returns with the beverages and says to the critic, “ I’m sorry sir but we are out of our house wine. My manager apologizes and said to give you a glass of our best wine with his compliments.”
“Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he isn’t wise in his own eyes.” Proverbs 26:5
A pastor tells me that he and his wife were dinning out with her best friend and her atheist husband who is also a cynic. The waiter came to their table and asked for a drink order. The skeptic orders a class of the house wine. When the waiter leaves the man flashes a big smiles ans says, “Reverend too bad Jesus isn’t here, he could turn my cheap glass of wine into the best."
The pastor says to himself, I’m not going there. He ignores the comment and the ladies engage in a conversation. The waiter returns with the beverages and says to the critic, “ I’m sorry sir but we are out of our house wine. My manager apologizes and said to give you a glass of our best wine with his compliments.”
“Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he isn’t wise in his own eyes.” Proverbs 26:5
Monday, November 26, 2007
Historic Weekend
November 27
It had been a beautiful weekend to visit our nation’s capital. We toured the White House with a group but President Johnson remained upstairs. On Sunday we attend a service at the National Cathedral where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered an inspiring message on loving each other and peace.
Driving to Connecticut that evening we hear President Johnson say he will concentrate on ending the ( Vietnam)war and will not seek reelection. The following Thursday Dr. King is assassinated in Memphis. It is a dark time for America. It would get worse.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
It had been a beautiful weekend to visit our nation’s capital. We toured the White House with a group but President Johnson remained upstairs. On Sunday we attend a service at the National Cathedral where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered an inspiring message on loving each other and peace.
Driving to Connecticut that evening we hear President Johnson say he will concentrate on ending the ( Vietnam)war and will not seek reelection. The following Thursday Dr. King is assassinated in Memphis. It is a dark time for America. It would get worse.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Hand
November 26
There it is! The shadow of a hand is on my bedroom floor. I scream like only a six-year old can. My mother flicks on the light. I insist the hand was there. My mother turns out the light and sits on my bed. Soon the moonlight reappears on the floor. “Look,” I yell, “There is THE HAND.”I hear her gasp. My mother sees it too.
She turns on the light and glances around the room. I see a frown turn into a smile. She removes a cutout of a waving Pinocchio from the wall and turns out the light. When the moonlight returns the hand is gone. I am thankful for a mother who showed her boy compassion.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
There it is! The shadow of a hand is on my bedroom floor. I scream like only a six-year old can. My mother flicks on the light. I insist the hand was there. My mother turns out the light and sits on my bed. Soon the moonlight reappears on the floor. “Look,” I yell, “There is THE HAND.”I hear her gasp. My mother sees it too.
She turns on the light and glances around the room. I see a frown turn into a smile. She removes a cutout of a waving Pinocchio from the wall and turns out the light. When the moonlight returns the hand is gone. I am thankful for a mother who showed her boy compassion.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Learning from Canadian Geese
November 25
Canadian geese fly in a V formation, which actually helps the individual bird fly higher and longer than if it flew alone. Several geese honk encouragement to the leader up front and when the point bird tires, another takes its place. If one bird is wounded or sick and leaves the formation, two will go with it for protection. The two will stay with the injured bird until it recovers or dies. The remaining two will return to another flock.
We can learn a lot from those traits of the Canadian geese.
“In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge.” (Psalms 57:1)
Canadian geese fly in a V formation, which actually helps the individual bird fly higher and longer than if it flew alone. Several geese honk encouragement to the leader up front and when the point bird tires, another takes its place. If one bird is wounded or sick and leaves the formation, two will go with it for protection. The two will stay with the injured bird until it recovers or dies. The remaining two will return to another flock.
We can learn a lot from those traits of the Canadian geese.
“In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge.” (Psalms 57:1)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Cheerful Giver
November 24
“She is desperate,” the church secretary says, “I thought you might be willing to help. She can rent a car and drive her child to the hospital and back for fifty dollars.” Joy drops the money off at the church office.
The next day Joy finds $65 while rummaging through her desk at home. She had put the money aside for something she has forgotten about. (Hmmm). The church secretary calls and tells Joy the lady received a ride to the hospital afterall but spent $23 on gas and tolls. She returned $27 to the church office today.
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
“She is desperate,” the church secretary says, “I thought you might be willing to help. She can rent a car and drive her child to the hospital and back for fifty dollars.” Joy drops the money off at the church office.
The next day Joy finds $65 while rummaging through her desk at home. She had put the money aside for something she has forgotten about. (Hmmm). The church secretary calls and tells Joy the lady received a ride to the hospital afterall but spent $23 on gas and tolls. She returned $27 to the church office today.
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
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