December 31
Four grandparents wait for the arrival of a granddaughter. I’m sure this baby, three weeks overdue, will be here by years end for I had prayed for that and heard a clear ‘yes.’ Midnight—no baby!
The message had been so clear. Did I misunderstand? At 12:15 the new father reports baby is here. I ask when was she born? “At 11:45,” he says apologetically, “ I’ve been busy cleaning her up.”
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
"God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life."
(1Cor 4:2 The Message)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Time to Leave
December 30
“Everything will be fine you’ll see,” his mother said lovingly.
“But suppose the world does end,” he insisted, “I won’t ever see you again.”
She assured him, “I’ll see you in Heaven. You will go up from here and your Dad and I from the Civic Center.”
“How will I find you in Heaven? It will be more crowded than the Civic Center.”
She hugged him. “Remember Heaven has pearly gates? Wait for me there. Ok?”
“That’s a deal Mom.”
“Mizpah, because he said, ‘May the Lord watch between me and you when we are absent one from another.” (Genesis 31:49)
“Everything will be fine you’ll see,” his mother said lovingly.
“But suppose the world does end,” he insisted, “I won’t ever see you again.”
She assured him, “I’ll see you in Heaven. You will go up from here and your Dad and I from the Civic Center.”
“How will I find you in Heaven? It will be more crowded than the Civic Center.”
She hugged him. “Remember Heaven has pearly gates? Wait for me there. Ok?”
“That’s a deal Mom.”
“Mizpah, because he said, ‘May the Lord watch between me and you when we are absent one from another.” (Genesis 31:49)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Go Figure
December 29
Before they left the funeral home the sisters prayed for a sign that their deceased dad was all right. A few days later Diane was listening to Public Radio while driving her car. Faith Middleton, was interviewing an author who responded to a question by saying, “It all began when I was shipwrecked off the coast of Africa.”
That’s how her dad started every bedtime story when they were girls. She called her sister who had heard the same program. They took this as a sign their dad was ok.
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136.3)
Before they left the funeral home the sisters prayed for a sign that their deceased dad was all right. A few days later Diane was listening to Public Radio while driving her car. Faith Middleton, was interviewing an author who responded to a question by saying, “It all began when I was shipwrecked off the coast of Africa.”
That’s how her dad started every bedtime story when they were girls. She called her sister who had heard the same program. They took this as a sign their dad was ok.
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136.3)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Giving Cheerfully
December 28
The minister said there were ten apples in the basket and took one out to illustrate tithing. "This one is for God," the minister said holding up the apple. A little girl said, "Poor God, only gets one apple."
The minister ate the apple while telling of the widow's gift of two Mitre coins. Placing the core in the offering plate she asked, "When we give are we giving just what is left over?"
That was a sobering question. Am I willingly and joyfully sharing my bounty or am I just giving leftovers?
"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)
The minister said there were ten apples in the basket and took one out to illustrate tithing. "This one is for God," the minister said holding up the apple. A little girl said, "Poor God, only gets one apple."
The minister ate the apple while telling of the widow's gift of two Mitre coins. Placing the core in the offering plate she asked, "When we give are we giving just what is left over?"
That was a sobering question. Am I willingly and joyfully sharing my bounty or am I just giving leftovers?
"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)
New York City Cabbie
December 27
I was catching all the lights green. I zipped across Broadway to the other side to continue my journey when suddenly traffic was coming directly at me. I was heading right for a cab. Breaks squealed and I swerved to the right and he did the same. Both cars came to a screeching halt side by side. Slumped over his wheel the cabby whispered, "One way buddy." It seemed all of New York was staring at me. Clearly I was at fault. I didn’t know the city to be driving the way I did.
"It is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet." (Proverbs 19:2)
I was catching all the lights green. I zipped across Broadway to the other side to continue my journey when suddenly traffic was coming directly at me. I was heading right for a cab. Breaks squealed and I swerved to the right and he did the same. Both cars came to a screeching halt side by side. Slumped over his wheel the cabby whispered, "One way buddy." It seemed all of New York was staring at me. Clearly I was at fault. I didn’t know the city to be driving the way I did.
"It is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet." (Proverbs 19:2)
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Day After
December 26
The Christmas wrappings are trash, the stockings are empty and soon it will be time to store the decorations for another year. I admit to a day after Christmas let down. Why can’t we smile some more and wish each other happiness as we did yesterday. I want to linger a little longer with the notion of peace on earth. I want to hold onto Christmas everyday and not go back to ‘normal.’
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
The Christmas wrappings are trash, the stockings are empty and soon it will be time to store the decorations for another year. I admit to a day after Christmas let down. Why can’t we smile some more and wish each other happiness as we did yesterday. I want to linger a little longer with the notion of peace on earth. I want to hold onto Christmas everyday and not go back to ‘normal.’
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
Away for Christmas
December 25
It is my first Christmas away from home courtesy of the U.S. Army. I’m stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. My view of Christmas is snow, sleighs and evergreens.
Here there are palm trees, plastic wreaths and cardboard snowmen. I’m just not in the Christmas spirit. I go to the chapel for a candle light service. As I leave it dawns on me that the first Christmas was in a desert. I get the message loud and clear.
“Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:11)
It is my first Christmas away from home courtesy of the U.S. Army. I’m stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. My view of Christmas is snow, sleighs and evergreens.
Here there are palm trees, plastic wreaths and cardboard snowmen. I’m just not in the Christmas spirit. I go to the chapel for a candle light service. As I leave it dawns on me that the first Christmas was in a desert. I get the message loud and clear.
“Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:11)
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