“Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing…" - Matthew 8:3
I know you’re probably tired of hearing about homework, but I wanted to finish the little story about Joshua wanting help. Ruthie stepped and volunteered to help Joshua (she didn’t have any homework). It was so sweet to watch her derive joy from helping out her little brother! And help him she did. She worked with him to pick out pictures of items that begin with the letter ‘t’, which they then cut and paste onto a blank page. She was patient and kind as she assisted the young student. She listened to his thoughts, offered some suggestions, but let him decide what to pick.
Watching her jump in and lend a hand where it was very much needed reminded me of how Jesus was willing – willing to help those who needed it and who came to Him by faith.
May we be willing to help others as Jesus was/is willing to help us.
Daniel
Friday, January 29, 2010
#282.4 – “Help, Part Two”
Thursday, January 28, 2010
#282.3 – “Help”
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” - 1 John 5:14
Another ‘incident’ happened while I was helping Grant do his homework the other night: another little boy came alongside me and wanted me to help him do his homework. ‘You’ve got homework, too, Joshua?’ I asked. ‘Yes’ he replied, and began showing me – in the midst of my working with Grant – what he was supposed to do. He was not concerned with what we were doing; he just wanted to get help right then.
I am so glad that I can go to my heavenly Father anytime I want, and I do not have to be concerned as to whether or not I am interrupting Him. He is always available. And therefore, I ought to come to Him with a confidence that He is going to listen to me and my needs.
Daniel
Another ‘incident’ happened while I was helping Grant do his homework the other night: another little boy came alongside me and wanted me to help him do his homework. ‘You’ve got homework, too, Joshua?’ I asked. ‘Yes’ he replied, and began showing me – in the midst of my working with Grant – what he was supposed to do. He was not concerned with what we were doing; he just wanted to get help right then.
I am so glad that I can go to my heavenly Father anytime I want, and I do not have to be concerned as to whether or not I am interrupting Him. He is always available. And therefore, I ought to come to Him with a confidence that He is going to listen to me and my needs.
Daniel
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
#282.2 – “I Love You, Daddy”
“So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God.” - Joshua 23:11
Last night, I was working on homework with Grant, when Anna came over and set something in front of me on the table where we were working. After finishing whatever sentence I was helping Grant with, I looked at the page before me. It was a picture she had drawn of me and her and her dog, and at the top of the page it said ‘I Love You, Daddy’.
Of all the things our kids tell us as their parents, I believe there is nothing more important to my ears than a simple ‘I love you’. I never get tired of it.
Simple praise and worship is often best. I encourage us all to be simply sincere as we express our love to God today.
Daniel
Last night, I was working on homework with Grant, when Anna came over and set something in front of me on the table where we were working. After finishing whatever sentence I was helping Grant with, I looked at the page before me. It was a picture she had drawn of me and her and her dog, and at the top of the page it said ‘I Love You, Daddy’.
Of all the things our kids tell us as their parents, I believe there is nothing more important to my ears than a simple ‘I love you’. I never get tired of it.
Simple praise and worship is often best. I encourage us all to be simply sincere as we express our love to God today.
Daniel
Monday, January 25, 2010
#282.1 – “Was There Life Before Video Games?”
“If a man thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet reached that knowledge which he ought to have reached.” - 1 Corinthians 8:2
If the boys could have their way, they would constantly have a video game in their hands and before their eyes. Since they received their Christmas presents, they have logged quite a few hours on them. As parents, we monitor how much they play… limiting them somewhat, but also take into consideration that these toys are still new and exciting to them. But I honestly think that, if we would set this up for them, they would go without sleep… have their food brought to them… and even set up a port-o-potty in the room where their game is!
We all have to let God help us discern the difference between enjoying the things God has created and allowing them to become an idol in our lives… separating us from our focus on Him. We must turn to Him and let Him guide us in ‘how much is too much’.
Daniel
If the boys could have their way, they would constantly have a video game in their hands and before their eyes. Since they received their Christmas presents, they have logged quite a few hours on them. As parents, we monitor how much they play… limiting them somewhat, but also take into consideration that these toys are still new and exciting to them. But I honestly think that, if we would set this up for them, they would go without sleep… have their food brought to them… and even set up a port-o-potty in the room where their game is!
We all have to let God help us discern the difference between enjoying the things God has created and allowing them to become an idol in our lives… separating us from our focus on Him. We must turn to Him and let Him guide us in ‘how much is too much’.
Daniel
Friday, January 22, 2010
#281.4 – “Can We Just Pray?”
“And they all with one mind gave themselves up to prayer...” - Acts 1:14
Monday night, Sarah cooked supper and brought it over to Grammie and Grandpa’s and we ate with them. As is our custom, we fixed the kids’ plates first, to let them cool. Then, the adults got their plates filled and sat down to the table. After tolerating a few minutes of ‘visiting’ and ‘catching up’ from the grown-ups, one of the boys said ‘Can we just pray?’ They were ready to get down to business!
We who are children of God need to be about the business of our Father, and that includes the importance of prayer. We need to sense the urgency of needs around us. We also need to come and eagerly thank God for His many blessings. Instead of letting things distract us, we need to stop and ask ourselves – ‘Can we just pray?’
Daniel
Monday night, Sarah cooked supper and brought it over to Grammie and Grandpa’s and we ate with them. As is our custom, we fixed the kids’ plates first, to let them cool. Then, the adults got their plates filled and sat down to the table. After tolerating a few minutes of ‘visiting’ and ‘catching up’ from the grown-ups, one of the boys said ‘Can we just pray?’ They were ready to get down to business!
We who are children of God need to be about the business of our Father, and that includes the importance of prayer. We need to sense the urgency of needs around us. We also need to come and eagerly thank God for His many blessings. Instead of letting things distract us, we need to stop and ask ourselves – ‘Can we just pray?’
Daniel
Thursday, January 21, 2010
#281.3 – “Pictures”
“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do...” - Philippians 4:9
“Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” - 1 Corinthians 8:6
The girls are always drawing pictures of things. The other night, Ruthie showed me a self-portrait she had drawn with Linda’s help. It looked very much like her. Anna got a picture of her from their neighbor-friend across the street. It looked a whole lot like her. So now we have two fairly close representations of them.
Our ideal as Christians is to – as closely as possible – represent Jesus to those around us. That’s quite a tall order for fallen, self-centered men and women… which is why we must rely on both the power of the Spirit of God to help us do that and the forgiveness of the Son of God when we don’t. These two must work in tandem, in order for us to represent Him as fully as we can. Then finally, we must realize that, no matter how close we come in representing Him, we are not Him… and we must add to our representing a ‘pointing’ – pointing people to the only perfect One.
Daniel
“Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” - 1 Corinthians 8:6
The girls are always drawing pictures of things. The other night, Ruthie showed me a self-portrait she had drawn with Linda’s help. It looked very much like her. Anna got a picture of her from their neighbor-friend across the street. It looked a whole lot like her. So now we have two fairly close representations of them.
Our ideal as Christians is to – as closely as possible – represent Jesus to those around us. That’s quite a tall order for fallen, self-centered men and women… which is why we must rely on both the power of the Spirit of God to help us do that and the forgiveness of the Son of God when we don’t. These two must work in tandem, in order for us to represent Him as fully as we can. Then finally, we must realize that, no matter how close we come in representing Him, we are not Him… and we must add to our representing a ‘pointing’ – pointing people to the only perfect One.
Daniel
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
#281.2 – “Breaking the Most Precious”
“While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.” - Mark 14:3
Saturday after our haircuts, the boys and I had to stop by the store for a few items we needed at home. Naturally, they brought their video games in with them (you can tell they don’t go far without them). When we went in the store, it was dry; when we came out of the store, it was raining cats and dogs! For fear that the water would ruin them, I asked them to let me put the games in my pockets (we had not brought in our umbrella). They agreed. I did. And as we were running to the truck, the games – which were a little bigger than my pockets - had worked their way out of my pockets and fell onto the concrete. I picked them up and we kept running until we got to the truck, where I let them have them back. Joshua’s was fine, but when Grant tried turning his on, it didn’t work. I had broken it.
When Christ hung upon that cross, the most precious Being ever was broken… and He allowed that breaking to happen for our sake. He died for you and me and the rest of the world, so that we might know Him and be with Him forever.
Consider today the intensity involved in the love of the most Precious, as He willingly sacrificed Himself for you and me.
Daniel
Saturday after our haircuts, the boys and I had to stop by the store for a few items we needed at home. Naturally, they brought their video games in with them (you can tell they don’t go far without them). When we went in the store, it was dry; when we came out of the store, it was raining cats and dogs! For fear that the water would ruin them, I asked them to let me put the games in my pockets (we had not brought in our umbrella). They agreed. I did. And as we were running to the truck, the games – which were a little bigger than my pockets - had worked their way out of my pockets and fell onto the concrete. I picked them up and we kept running until we got to the truck, where I let them have them back. Joshua’s was fine, but when Grant tried turning his on, it didn’t work. I had broken it.
When Christ hung upon that cross, the most precious Being ever was broken… and He allowed that breaking to happen for our sake. He died for you and me and the rest of the world, so that we might know Him and be with Him forever.
Consider today the intensity involved in the love of the most Precious, as He willingly sacrificed Himself for you and me.
Daniel
Monday, January 18, 2010
#281.1 – “Sharing the Most Precious”
“"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men...” - Matthew 5:14-16
Saturday I took the boys with me to get haircuts. I let them bring their handheld video games with them to play while they waited on their turn. As Grant was just getting in the chair, another dad and his two kids – a five-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl – walked in and sat next to us. I asked him if it was okay if his son played on Grant’s controller so he and Joshua could play a game together. He said it was okay with him. And so they began to play. When Grant’s haircut was finished, I told him to keep letting the other little boy (who we later found out was also named Grant) play on his game. He agreed… and he did. Then the other boy’s dad suggested they take turns, and they did. Watching my Grant share what I know is so extremely precious to him was a blessing to me.
I need to share the most precious Person to me – Jesus – with others whom I meet. They need to have the joy of knowing Him, and I need to be ready, willing, and able to share Him with them.
Daniel
Saturday I took the boys with me to get haircuts. I let them bring their handheld video games with them to play while they waited on their turn. As Grant was just getting in the chair, another dad and his two kids – a five-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl – walked in and sat next to us. I asked him if it was okay if his son played on Grant’s controller so he and Joshua could play a game together. He said it was okay with him. And so they began to play. When Grant’s haircut was finished, I told him to keep letting the other little boy (who we later found out was also named Grant) play on his game. He agreed… and he did. Then the other boy’s dad suggested they take turns, and they did. Watching my Grant share what I know is so extremely precious to him was a blessing to me.
I need to share the most precious Person to me – Jesus – with others whom I meet. They need to have the joy of knowing Him, and I need to be ready, willing, and able to share Him with them.
Daniel
Thursday, January 14, 2010
#280.4 – “So Supremely Loved… So Perfectly Saved”
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold… You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me.” - Psalm 18:2, 35
Joshua was playing his racing video game recently, and Anna made a comment about the other characters on the game that were racing the character that Joshua was supposed to be. She said that the other racers all hated Joshua, because he always wins.
She’s right: Joshua does always win that game (he ought to… he plays it enough!); and the others players (which are controlled by the computer) do everything in their power to keep him from doing so. I don’t know if it is fair to assume that a computer has feelings but, if this one does, it surely hates Joshua because he does always come out on top.
That sense of struggle on the electronic race track is a reminder of the battle we as Christians find ourselves in here in the real world. There is a real war being waged… with two sides… winners and losers… fighting and striving. As with any war, there are strong emotions on the part of the enemy camp. They hate Jesus… and they hate anyone who sides with Jesus. They want to kill and destroy all they can. And there we find ourselves… in the midst of it all… with threats and attempts and even some successful battles on their part. But we must remember that, even though everyone on the other side hates us, we are so supremely loved and so perfectly saved by our great King who fights on our behalf that our peace and our victory remains.
Give thanks to the Lord today for the assurance of your salvation and the perfection of your peace.
Daniel
Joshua was playing his racing video game recently, and Anna made a comment about the other characters on the game that were racing the character that Joshua was supposed to be. She said that the other racers all hated Joshua, because he always wins.
She’s right: Joshua does always win that game (he ought to… he plays it enough!); and the others players (which are controlled by the computer) do everything in their power to keep him from doing so. I don’t know if it is fair to assume that a computer has feelings but, if this one does, it surely hates Joshua because he does always come out on top.
That sense of struggle on the electronic race track is a reminder of the battle we as Christians find ourselves in here in the real world. There is a real war being waged… with two sides… winners and losers… fighting and striving. As with any war, there are strong emotions on the part of the enemy camp. They hate Jesus… and they hate anyone who sides with Jesus. They want to kill and destroy all they can. And there we find ourselves… in the midst of it all… with threats and attempts and even some successful battles on their part. But we must remember that, even though everyone on the other side hates us, we are so supremely loved and so perfectly saved by our great King who fights on our behalf that our peace and our victory remains.
Give thanks to the Lord today for the assurance of your salvation and the perfection of your peace.
Daniel
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
#280.3 – “Thank the Lord for Hot Water”
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!” - 1 Chronicles 16:8
The night before last, I fell asleep upstairs with only a small blanket over my legs. I guess I was pretty tired, because I slept through the night. But when I did finally wake up the next morning, I was freezing! I had managed somehow during my sleep to even kick off some of the covering I had put on. Our house stays fairly warm, but not warm enough, I discovered (get it? dis – ‘covered’), to sleep in just pj’s! I haven’t been that cold in a long time. I immediately got up and headed for the shower where, thankfully, the hot water was in abundance. I turned it on and let it run over me until I finally got warm again. Never before had I been so thankful for hot water!
So often, I go through life and take so many blessings for granted - a roof over my head… food on my table… warm clothing… big, heavy comforters and quilts and blankets… and so on. These things are none other than part of God’s grace to me, and I should be more thankful for the things I have and less concerned with the things I don’t.
Father, forgive me for not thanking You as often as I should. Help me be more appreciative to You for Your matchless grace and love to me.
Daniel
The night before last, I fell asleep upstairs with only a small blanket over my legs. I guess I was pretty tired, because I slept through the night. But when I did finally wake up the next morning, I was freezing! I had managed somehow during my sleep to even kick off some of the covering I had put on. Our house stays fairly warm, but not warm enough, I discovered (get it? dis – ‘covered’), to sleep in just pj’s! I haven’t been that cold in a long time. I immediately got up and headed for the shower where, thankfully, the hot water was in abundance. I turned it on and let it run over me until I finally got warm again. Never before had I been so thankful for hot water!
So often, I go through life and take so many blessings for granted - a roof over my head… food on my table… warm clothing… big, heavy comforters and quilts and blankets… and so on. These things are none other than part of God’s grace to me, and I should be more thankful for the things I have and less concerned with the things I don’t.
Father, forgive me for not thanking You as often as I should. Help me be more appreciative to You for Your matchless grace and love to me.
Daniel
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
#280.2 – “A Room with an Orange TV”
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” - Psalms 8:3-4
One of Joshua’s recent pieces of homework was to draw a picture of his room. He showed it to me with pride. As I was looking it over, I noticed that there was something in it that I couldn’t recognize. When I asked him about it, he told me that the orange box was a tv. The only thing is that he doesn’t have a tv in his room, much less an orange one! Nothing wrong with a little dreaming, I guess!
I’m glad that I wasn’t the designer of the universe; if I had been, there’s no telling how it would have turned out. You should also be glad that I wasn’t the designer of the universe, because I can guarantee you that, whatever the specs, it would have revolved around me. My selfish nature would have likely left all of you out in the cold while I enjoyed myself a little personal paradise.
God didn’t do that in His great plan. He chose to love human kind and to put them in a special place in His heart and His creation. He has made all things good, and He uses all circumstances for our good. He is considerate of us. He does not leave us out in the cold, but treats with a kindness and an affection that is unparalleled.
Praise the God of all creation today, not only for His creative nature (though I’m not sure that even He would come up with an orange tv!), but also for His immense thoughtfulness and His selfless love.
Daniel
One of Joshua’s recent pieces of homework was to draw a picture of his room. He showed it to me with pride. As I was looking it over, I noticed that there was something in it that I couldn’t recognize. When I asked him about it, he told me that the orange box was a tv. The only thing is that he doesn’t have a tv in his room, much less an orange one! Nothing wrong with a little dreaming, I guess!
I’m glad that I wasn’t the designer of the universe; if I had been, there’s no telling how it would have turned out. You should also be glad that I wasn’t the designer of the universe, because I can guarantee you that, whatever the specs, it would have revolved around me. My selfish nature would have likely left all of you out in the cold while I enjoyed myself a little personal paradise.
God didn’t do that in His great plan. He chose to love human kind and to put them in a special place in His heart and His creation. He has made all things good, and He uses all circumstances for our good. He is considerate of us. He does not leave us out in the cold, but treats with a kindness and an affection that is unparalleled.
Praise the God of all creation today, not only for His creative nature (though I’m not sure that even He would come up with an orange tv!), but also for His immense thoughtfulness and His selfless love.
Daniel
Monday, January 11, 2010
#280.1 – “It’s Nice to Know Where You Stand”
“I will make clear the Lord's decision: he has said to me, You are my son, this day have I given you being.” - Psalms 2:7
One night this past weekend, the kids had all gotten into their beds when Sarah and I heard Ruthie call out from her room. Sarah was changing into her pajamas, so I went in her stead and opened the girls’ bedroom door. I stood at the entrance, waiting to hear what the matter was. All I got was: ‘Can I have Mommy?’ Thinking I would force her hand to talk to me, I replied: ‘You’ll have to wait on Mommy.’ ‘Okay, then’, she said… and no more. Realizing I didn’t stand a chance, I turned around and reported the entire conversation back to the only one in our house who everyone wants!
It’s nice to know where you stand, you know what I mean? It came as no real surprise to me that I would come in as a second-round draft choice, in terms of conversation with the girls; in fact, when it comes to any such situation, I find myself often on the low end of the totem pole. But I am grateful to declare that, before God, I am very much wanted (and so are you). He doesn’t just take us because that’s all He’s got. He chooses us; He wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to love us.
Let us all stand in wonder today of the love of God.
Daniel
One night this past weekend, the kids had all gotten into their beds when Sarah and I heard Ruthie call out from her room. Sarah was changing into her pajamas, so I went in her stead and opened the girls’ bedroom door. I stood at the entrance, waiting to hear what the matter was. All I got was: ‘Can I have Mommy?’ Thinking I would force her hand to talk to me, I replied: ‘You’ll have to wait on Mommy.’ ‘Okay, then’, she said… and no more. Realizing I didn’t stand a chance, I turned around and reported the entire conversation back to the only one in our house who everyone wants!
It’s nice to know where you stand, you know what I mean? It came as no real surprise to me that I would come in as a second-round draft choice, in terms of conversation with the girls; in fact, when it comes to any such situation, I find myself often on the low end of the totem pole. But I am grateful to declare that, before God, I am very much wanted (and so are you). He doesn’t just take us because that’s all He’s got. He chooses us; He wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to love us.
Let us all stand in wonder today of the love of God.
Daniel
Thursday, January 7, 2010
#279.4 – “One-on-One”
“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.” - Psalms 61:1
This past Tuesday night, we decided to have a special family night activity, since the kids were going to be back in school (of course, little did we know that they be right back out of school today!). This time, we thought it best to let me take the boys upstairs and play some video games with them while the girls and mommy watched a movie. This turned out to be a great decision, because the boys didn’t care anything about watching a movie… and the girls didn’t want to play video games… and mommy and I didn’t care what we did… so everybody got to do what they wanted, and we all got to have some quality time too.
When you have four children, it is difficult to have one-on-one time… or for that matter, one-on-two time. I am amazed at a lot of qualities of God, but the one I thought about as I reflected on our family night is the fact that He is not only everywhere all the time (omnipresent), but the fact that He can give me One-on-one attention anytime I need it. He hears my prayer just as clear as He hears the believer in China who prays for their family… the missionary in India who asks for a harvest of souls… the lost person in England who cries out for salvation… even if we are all praying at the same time (not to mention different languages). Even with millions and millions of people who may call out to Him simultaneously, He can hear and give attention to everyone individually. What an amazing ability! How grateful I am that He hears me, and that nothing – absolutely nothing – distracts or hinders Him from doing that.
Daniel
This past Tuesday night, we decided to have a special family night activity, since the kids were going to be back in school (of course, little did we know that they be right back out of school today!). This time, we thought it best to let me take the boys upstairs and play some video games with them while the girls and mommy watched a movie. This turned out to be a great decision, because the boys didn’t care anything about watching a movie… and the girls didn’t want to play video games… and mommy and I didn’t care what we did… so everybody got to do what they wanted, and we all got to have some quality time too.
When you have four children, it is difficult to have one-on-one time… or for that matter, one-on-two time. I am amazed at a lot of qualities of God, but the one I thought about as I reflected on our family night is the fact that He is not only everywhere all the time (omnipresent), but the fact that He can give me One-on-one attention anytime I need it. He hears my prayer just as clear as He hears the believer in China who prays for their family… the missionary in India who asks for a harvest of souls… the lost person in England who cries out for salvation… even if we are all praying at the same time (not to mention different languages). Even with millions and millions of people who may call out to Him simultaneously, He can hear and give attention to everyone individually. What an amazing ability! How grateful I am that He hears me, and that nothing – absolutely nothing – distracts or hinders Him from doing that.
Daniel
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
#279.3 – “Anna’s Meringue”
“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” - John 13:15
One day this weekend, I decided to cook a banana pudding. We had several bananas that were starting to get beyond the ‘good-for-just-eating’ stage, which usually either means a pudding or banana bread is coming. This time it was pudding. To my surprise, Anna wanted to help make it. I gladly welcomed her into the kitchen. She helped with just about everything there was to do, except stirring the pot over the hot stove. When it came to the meringue, I thought: ‘This will be a good job for Anna’, and so I asked her to do it. She had to have some help separating the egg whites from the yolks, but then she took on the rest of the job on her own. She whipped the ingredients together in short order and, when she was done, her meringue turned out better than any I had ever made!
Today’s thought is about mentoring. I wonder how many of us conscientiously look for someone to mentor in the faith. I know I am guilty of missing opportunities, and this little example of cooking reminded me of my need to not only influence Anna and our other kids, but also my need to mentor others outside my family.
Lord, help me see the ways I can help someone grow in You.
Daniel
One day this weekend, I decided to cook a banana pudding. We had several bananas that were starting to get beyond the ‘good-for-just-eating’ stage, which usually either means a pudding or banana bread is coming. This time it was pudding. To my surprise, Anna wanted to help make it. I gladly welcomed her into the kitchen. She helped with just about everything there was to do, except stirring the pot over the hot stove. When it came to the meringue, I thought: ‘This will be a good job for Anna’, and so I asked her to do it. She had to have some help separating the egg whites from the yolks, but then she took on the rest of the job on her own. She whipped the ingredients together in short order and, when she was done, her meringue turned out better than any I had ever made!
Today’s thought is about mentoring. I wonder how many of us conscientiously look for someone to mentor in the faith. I know I am guilty of missing opportunities, and this little example of cooking reminded me of my need to not only influence Anna and our other kids, but also my need to mentor others outside my family.
Lord, help me see the ways I can help someone grow in You.
Daniel
Monday, January 4, 2010
#279.2 – “Right in Front of My Eyes”
“He was in the world; and through him the world came into being--yet the world did not know him. He came to his own--yet his own did not receive him.” - John 1:10-11
On one of the recent days when the wind has been blowing so hard, Sarah noticed that our fence gate had opened just enough that our dog, Mary, could squeeze through and get out of the back yard. One side of the fence gate is held quite well with a metal rod; the other side is not. Sarah fixed the problem temporarily with some boards. I had since decided that I needed to more permanently fix it by driving a pipe into the ground and getting another rod for that side of the gate.
Well, I walked by the gate the other day and noticed (for the very first time) that there is a pipe already driven into the ground – right in the exact spot I needed one driven! I had never noticed it there before. And now all I have to do is get the rod and I am done!
The solution to my problem was right in front of my eyes the whole time… but I had never paid attention to it before. In the same way, the answer to so much of the pain and suffering we find in our world is contained in the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God… and yet, so many of our friends and neighbors and colleagues and classmates don’t pay any attention to either one. It is crucial that you and I point them to the Truth they so desperately need because, without us doing so, they may go on and never see It/Him.
Daniel
On one of the recent days when the wind has been blowing so hard, Sarah noticed that our fence gate had opened just enough that our dog, Mary, could squeeze through and get out of the back yard. One side of the fence gate is held quite well with a metal rod; the other side is not. Sarah fixed the problem temporarily with some boards. I had since decided that I needed to more permanently fix it by driving a pipe into the ground and getting another rod for that side of the gate.
Well, I walked by the gate the other day and noticed (for the very first time) that there is a pipe already driven into the ground – right in the exact spot I needed one driven! I had never noticed it there before. And now all I have to do is get the rod and I am done!
The solution to my problem was right in front of my eyes the whole time… but I had never paid attention to it before. In the same way, the answer to so much of the pain and suffering we find in our world is contained in the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God… and yet, so many of our friends and neighbors and colleagues and classmates don’t pay any attention to either one. It is crucial that you and I point them to the Truth they so desperately need because, without us doing so, they may go on and never see It/Him.
Daniel
#279.1 – “Piling Up Trash”
“For what is our hope or joy, or the crown of which we boast? Is it not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His Coming?” - 1 Thessalonians 2:19
In our neighborhood, trash is usually picked up on Fridays. The week of Christmas, it was on Wednesday. I had mistakenly heard that on the week of New Year’s it would be back on Friday. So I did not put our can out until Thursday night. Come Friday afternoon our can was still full, and I knew I had messed up and missed out! I have since come to a conclusion: that all it would take for a major crisis to develop would be for garbage men to strike. I am here to tell you that it makes a huge difference when your trash keeps on piling up before your very eyes… and all you can do is wait it out. I realized that trash pick-up was a service I had taken for granted, and once I had missed it, I really missed it!
I see a parallel here between the physical and the spiritual: we who possess the knowledge of salvation have a responsibility to share that knowledge with those with whom we come in contact, so that they don’t miss out on the greatest ‘pick-up’ service of them all: when Christ returns for His Bride, the Church.
May we be diligent in telling the Good News this week.
Daniel
In our neighborhood, trash is usually picked up on Fridays. The week of Christmas, it was on Wednesday. I had mistakenly heard that on the week of New Year’s it would be back on Friday. So I did not put our can out until Thursday night. Come Friday afternoon our can was still full, and I knew I had messed up and missed out! I have since come to a conclusion: that all it would take for a major crisis to develop would be for garbage men to strike. I am here to tell you that it makes a huge difference when your trash keeps on piling up before your very eyes… and all you can do is wait it out. I realized that trash pick-up was a service I had taken for granted, and once I had missed it, I really missed it!
I see a parallel here between the physical and the spiritual: we who possess the knowledge of salvation have a responsibility to share that knowledge with those with whom we come in contact, so that they don’t miss out on the greatest ‘pick-up’ service of them all: when Christ returns for His Bride, the Church.
May we be diligent in telling the Good News this week.
Daniel
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