I must say that I am very, very blessed. God allowed me to be born into a family, that soon became a Christian home - all because of the Godly influence of my Mother. I am doubly blessed because not only did I have her as I was growing up, but I still have her today. I am able to honor my mother on this special day and since I know she reads this every day, I want the world to know just how special she is. I was also blessed with a wonderful Godly mother for my children, who for the last 39 years has been by my side, through thick and thin. I am so thankful that someone came up with the idea to honor Mothers, because in my own selfishness, I probably would forget. Let me just say that if you are blessed to still have your mother - take time to let her know how much you love you. And don't forget that special lady that God brought into your life to raise your kids. To all of you moms - Happy Mothers Day and thank you for being who you are.
PS - Mom, this is your card, so print it off. I love you.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
What Do You Hear?
Psa 85:8 "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people...".
When I was a kid we used to play a game called "gossip". Someone would whisper something into a person's ear and they would pass it along to the next person. It was always funny how it ended up. It usually happens that way with young kids, too. I received the following story a few days ago and it makes a perfect illustration.
A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.
Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?'
Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.'
The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' '
That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest?
Who the heck is she, and why is she following us? '
'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'
Well, Timmy may not have gotten the words right, but, he certainly got the idea. When we are born again, we become little children that need a lot of growing up and sometimes we don't get the message right. It would behoove us to pay close attention to what God is saying lest we find someone following us through life.
When I was a kid we used to play a game called "gossip". Someone would whisper something into a person's ear and they would pass it along to the next person. It was always funny how it ended up. It usually happens that way with young kids, too. I received the following story a few days ago and it makes a perfect illustration.
A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.
Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?'
Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.'
The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?' '
That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.' 'Shirley Goodnest?
Who the heck is she, and why is she following us? '
'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'
Well, Timmy may not have gotten the words right, but, he certainly got the idea. When we are born again, we become little children that need a lot of growing up and sometimes we don't get the message right. It would behoove us to pay close attention to what God is saying lest we find someone following us through life.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
I Found It!
Deut 4:29 "But if thou from hence shall seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and all thy sould".
Okay, I will admit, that sometimes we men are not the best at looking for and finding things - well, at least I'm not. It is rather frustrating for me to be looking for something and then when I ask for help, that person comes right over to where I am and picks it up. It's not so bad at a store, because that person doesn't know who I am and they can just go home and make fun of me without my knowing it. But, when I ask my wife, well now, that is a different story. Something else that has always puzzled me. Have you ever heard someone make a statement like this after they finally found what ever it was they were searching for? - "I found it in the last place I looked". Well, I would certainly hope that they didn't continue looking for it after they found it! Now, sometimes, when it comes to finding people, they are prone to hide from us. Have you ever seen someone in a store and didn't want to talk with them, so you hid until they passed on by? Don't lie now. On occasion, the problem lies with us, because we are looking in the wrong place. Well, let me assure you of one very important truth - God wants to be found. As a matter of fact, the Bible instructs us to "seek the Lord while He may be found" Isa 55:6. In your times of greatest need and darkest hours all you need do is call out to God and He will be there. Give it a try.
Okay, I will admit, that sometimes we men are not the best at looking for and finding things - well, at least I'm not. It is rather frustrating for me to be looking for something and then when I ask for help, that person comes right over to where I am and picks it up. It's not so bad at a store, because that person doesn't know who I am and they can just go home and make fun of me without my knowing it. But, when I ask my wife, well now, that is a different story. Something else that has always puzzled me. Have you ever heard someone make a statement like this after they finally found what ever it was they were searching for? - "I found it in the last place I looked". Well, I would certainly hope that they didn't continue looking for it after they found it! Now, sometimes, when it comes to finding people, they are prone to hide from us. Have you ever seen someone in a store and didn't want to talk with them, so you hid until they passed on by? Don't lie now. On occasion, the problem lies with us, because we are looking in the wrong place. Well, let me assure you of one very important truth - God wants to be found. As a matter of fact, the Bible instructs us to "seek the Lord while He may be found" Isa 55:6. In your times of greatest need and darkest hours all you need do is call out to God and He will be there. Give it a try.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
My How Times Have Changed
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I change not...".
I enjoy watching people. One of the things that is so interesting to me is to see we have changed over the years. I'm sorry, did I say we? I meant to say they. I was a 60's teenager and to look back at pictures from then and the 70's is just hilarious. I can't believe we actually thought that looked good. I am quite sure that the "old people" of that day were thinking the same thing that we are thinking about some of the fashions of today. I am glad that some things have progressed but one thing that I see is becoming more and more scarce is respect for one another and just plain old good manners. I was in my car a couple of days ago and waiting and watching poeple. A young family drove up, got out of their car and proceeded to go into a store. The dad reached the door first, followed by mom and last entered their young son. Later, there arrived another couple that was somewhat older. The man reached the door first, but this time he politely opened it for his wife and followed her in. We have lost that care and concern for other people. We have forgot what it feels like to put others first. My how times have changed. I don't know about you, but I wish some things would change back. On the other hand, I as sure glad that God doesn't change. We can always count on Him to be there and to be the same loving, gracious God that He is.
I enjoy watching people. One of the things that is so interesting to me is to see we have changed over the years. I'm sorry, did I say we? I meant to say they. I was a 60's teenager and to look back at pictures from then and the 70's is just hilarious. I can't believe we actually thought that looked good. I am quite sure that the "old people" of that day were thinking the same thing that we are thinking about some of the fashions of today. I am glad that some things have progressed but one thing that I see is becoming more and more scarce is respect for one another and just plain old good manners. I was in my car a couple of days ago and waiting and watching poeple. A young family drove up, got out of their car and proceeded to go into a store. The dad reached the door first, followed by mom and last entered their young son. Later, there arrived another couple that was somewhat older. The man reached the door first, but this time he politely opened it for his wife and followed her in. We have lost that care and concern for other people. We have forgot what it feels like to put others first. My how times have changed. I don't know about you, but I wish some things would change back. On the other hand, I as sure glad that God doesn't change. We can always count on Him to be there and to be the same loving, gracious God that He is.
Monday, May 4, 2009
There Is Only 1 Truth
John 18:38 "Pilate said unto Him (Jesus) what is truth?..."
It is amazing to me how many different religions there are in the world today. And then, how many different denomination or sects there are within the religions. Take Christianity for example. We claim to all read and study the same Bible and hear from the same God, but the differences are astounding. How can that be? I think that part of the problem is that some people want to interpret scripture so that it will justify their preconceived ideas or, in some cases, their lifestyle. What we need to understand is that there is only one truth. If two people differ in interpretation one of them is wrong - as a matter of fact, both can be wrong. But, on the other hand, it can not be that both of them are right, since they do not agree. Some people would say, "well, what's the big deal"? "Can't we just agree to disagree"? Yes, we can, but still someone does not hold to the Truth. A fact that cannot be denied. The reason that the Truth is so vital is that Jesus said "You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free" John 8:32. So, if we try to interpret scripture to permit our sinful lifestyle, we will continue to be bound in sin. If we try to interpret scripture based upon our preconceived ideas we will remain bound in ignorance. Here is the wonderful part of what the Holy Spirit does for us - according to John 16:13, He will guide us into the Truth. Ask for help and seek out that 1 Truth.
It is amazing to me how many different religions there are in the world today. And then, how many different denomination or sects there are within the religions. Take Christianity for example. We claim to all read and study the same Bible and hear from the same God, but the differences are astounding. How can that be? I think that part of the problem is that some people want to interpret scripture so that it will justify their preconceived ideas or, in some cases, their lifestyle. What we need to understand is that there is only one truth. If two people differ in interpretation one of them is wrong - as a matter of fact, both can be wrong. But, on the other hand, it can not be that both of them are right, since they do not agree. Some people would say, "well, what's the big deal"? "Can't we just agree to disagree"? Yes, we can, but still someone does not hold to the Truth. A fact that cannot be denied. The reason that the Truth is so vital is that Jesus said "You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free" John 8:32. So, if we try to interpret scripture to permit our sinful lifestyle, we will continue to be bound in sin. If we try to interpret scripture based upon our preconceived ideas we will remain bound in ignorance. Here is the wonderful part of what the Holy Spirit does for us - according to John 16:13, He will guide us into the Truth. Ask for help and seek out that 1 Truth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Daily Prayer Request Forum: click below to make a request, add a comment or view today's requests
