August 4
Specialist Johnson worked in personnel when I was at the Officers Candidate School. at Ft. Benning. I was from his hometown so he befriended me. On graduation day I wanted my first salute to come from Specialist Johnson so I could give him the traditional dollar. He saw me and waved. I said sternly, "Specialist is that the way you greet an officer?"
Isn't God like that, making us humble ourselves first, then comes His blessings"
Spc. Johnson was a blessing at OCS.
“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Under a Tree
July 23
Joy shares that, “When I am with God, I see myself in a pasture sitting under a tree with my pillow and baby blanket. When I am separated from God, I am somewhere on a hillside and I can’t get to the pasture.”
When she is agitated she focuses on herself and “Satan does a number of me.”
But when she lifts her troubles or concerns up in prayer “that is the moment that frees me. I’m off the hill and back under the shade tree again.”
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32)
Joy shares that, “When I am with God, I see myself in a pasture sitting under a tree with my pillow and baby blanket. When I am separated from God, I am somewhere on a hillside and I can’t get to the pasture.”
When she is agitated she focuses on herself and “Satan does a number of me.”
But when she lifts her troubles or concerns up in prayer “that is the moment that frees me. I’m off the hill and back under the shade tree again.”
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32)
Roth's Example
July 22
Roth, who is in his seventies and has Parkinson’s disease told this story to our group. He is at the pool and a young girl swims to the ladder where he is standing.
"I thought because I am older and in my condition she should let me come down first. But she grabs the ladder, lifts herself out of the water and swings by me into a wheel chair. It is then I see she has no legs. And I am thinking I’m handicapped.”
We all needed to hear Roth’s message.
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
(John 7:24)
Roth, who is in his seventies and has Parkinson’s disease told this story to our group. He is at the pool and a young girl swims to the ladder where he is standing.
"I thought because I am older and in my condition she should let me come down first. But she grabs the ladder, lifts herself out of the water and swings by me into a wheel chair. It is then I see she has no legs. And I am thinking I’m handicapped.”
We all needed to hear Roth’s message.
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
(John 7:24)
In My Cave
July 21
What do you do when your wife tells you she feels disconnected from you. I go into my cave to process and sulk and pray.
On this day I return home to a sweet embrace. Entering my office I see a love note from Joy on my swivel chair. It is a pencil drawing of a cave with two eyes peering out (me) and outside is a dancing piglet (her) trying to coax me out. I can honestly tell her that I am now out. How God has softened my heart and removed my hurt. It takes my breath away. Wow!
“O Give thanks to the Lord for He is good: for his mercy endures forever.” (Ps 136-1)
What do you do when your wife tells you she feels disconnected from you. I go into my cave to process and sulk and pray.
On this day I return home to a sweet embrace. Entering my office I see a love note from Joy on my swivel chair. It is a pencil drawing of a cave with two eyes peering out (me) and outside is a dancing piglet (her) trying to coax me out. I can honestly tell her that I am now out. How God has softened my heart and removed my hurt. It takes my breath away. Wow!
“O Give thanks to the Lord for He is good: for his mercy endures forever.” (Ps 136-1)
Sharing the Gifts
July 20
“God has gifted us all,” the pastor told three recipients, “use these gifts and come back next week and tell us what you did.”
At the next service a man came forward with a cookie jar holding $660. He passed the jar at a golf course. A woman donated her money to a Christian relief effort and a
man said he gave the money to a woman whose husband had lost his job. The pastor read a note from the woman. My husband has a job and the gift restored my faith.”
Have I been multiplying God’s gifts. When I do, I know what I will hear:
“Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
“God has gifted us all,” the pastor told three recipients, “use these gifts and come back next week and tell us what you did.”
At the next service a man came forward with a cookie jar holding $660. He passed the jar at a golf course. A woman donated her money to a Christian relief effort and a
man said he gave the money to a woman whose husband had lost his job. The pastor read a note from the woman. My husband has a job and the gift restored my faith.”
Have I been multiplying God’s gifts. When I do, I know what I will hear:
“Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What is really Important
July 19
I have a habit of losing hats, umbrellas and pens. I use to go spastic especially when I misplaced my Cross pen. Now I am learning to put these material things in perspective. It’s all small stuff. It doesn't really matter if it is a pen, or hat or a watch, a car or even a house. The material things of life are not that important.
I have seen people on the news standing in front of a pile of debris after a tornado giving thanks to God they and loved ones are alive.
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col 3:2)
I have a habit of losing hats, umbrellas and pens. I use to go spastic especially when I misplaced my Cross pen. Now I am learning to put these material things in perspective. It’s all small stuff. It doesn't really matter if it is a pen, or hat or a watch, a car or even a house. The material things of life are not that important.
I have seen people on the news standing in front of a pile of debris after a tornado giving thanks to God they and loved ones are alive.
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col 3:2)
Perfect Growth
July 18
The Panama Canal Zone has ideal weather for plant growth. Where I was stationed
the Army would cut the wild grass and plants along the railroad tracks about every six weeks. The day it was cut I could see the rails as I drove beside the tracks. Just before the next cutting, the plants were as high as the train. It is true!
When the right ingredients are present growth can be remarkable.
“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)
The Panama Canal Zone has ideal weather for plant growth. Where I was stationed
the Army would cut the wild grass and plants along the railroad tracks about every six weeks. The day it was cut I could see the rails as I drove beside the tracks. Just before the next cutting, the plants were as high as the train. It is true!
When the right ingredients are present growth can be remarkable.
“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)