“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” – 1 Samuel 18:1
Sunday night and Monday night we had some old college friends of ours come and visit. It was great to see all of them. It is a neat thing to have friends that have stood the test of time and maintained relationship over a decade later (even though it makes you feel a little bit old when you see all these kids running around that belong to you and your friends who were just in college yesterday!).
One of the things I am learning lately is to see how our relationships on earth can be a reflection of God and Christ and the relationship they with each other and mankind. When we display faithfulness in our earthly relationships, we reflect the faithfulness of God... we show forth His nature… we reveal Christ to a lost and dying world.
Daniel
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
#303.1 – “God’s Perfect Timing”
“For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” – Genesis 21:2
Sunday night after the service our family went over to Bob (who is having his knee scoped this morning and appreciates your prayers that this will fix his problem) and Kat’s house, because they had invited us over to see their evening primrose bloom. For those of you who may be like I was before Sunday and have never seen such a flower before, allow me to describe it. It is a little bush that looks kind of like a weed at its base, with a number of shoots that branch upwards from the ground. Each branch has little ‘pods’ at the top, and each of those pods unfold into a beautiful yellow flower. The funny thing is that they always bloom around 8pm (the night we were there, it started just after 8pm and continued blooming for about ten minutes). When I asked Bob what it was that made the flower bloom at night, his response was something like: ‘Well, as far as I can tell, that’s just the way the good Lord made this particular flower.’
Every day (for the month of June) the old blooms fall off and new pods grow above old ones… and every night around 8 new flowers bloom. It is truly a miraculous thing to see… and a testimony to God’s perfect timing.
Lord, help me be constantly reminded that You hold all the universe in Your hands and that Your timing – though it may seem odd or peculiar to me – is perfect.
Daniel
Sunday night after the service our family went over to Bob (who is having his knee scoped this morning and appreciates your prayers that this will fix his problem) and Kat’s house, because they had invited us over to see their evening primrose bloom. For those of you who may be like I was before Sunday and have never seen such a flower before, allow me to describe it. It is a little bush that looks kind of like a weed at its base, with a number of shoots that branch upwards from the ground. Each branch has little ‘pods’ at the top, and each of those pods unfold into a beautiful yellow flower. The funny thing is that they always bloom around 8pm (the night we were there, it started just after 8pm and continued blooming for about ten minutes). When I asked Bob what it was that made the flower bloom at night, his response was something like: ‘Well, as far as I can tell, that’s just the way the good Lord made this particular flower.’
Every day (for the month of June) the old blooms fall off and new pods grow above old ones… and every night around 8 new flowers bloom. It is truly a miraculous thing to see… and a testimony to God’s perfect timing.
Lord, help me be constantly reminded that You hold all the universe in Your hands and that Your timing – though it may seem odd or peculiar to me – is perfect.
Daniel
Friday, June 25, 2010
#302.5 – “Carefully Watching”
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” – Romans 8:8
I went with Sarah on Tuesday to the boys’ swimming lesson (they have been taking lessons this week from Grant’s school teacher). I was careful to keep my eye on them when it was their turn to do something, because they had already been asking me off and on all day to watch them as they would show me what all they could do.
I can remember doing the same thing for my parents when I was their age… wanting to show off what I could do for them, so as to receive whatever verbal accolades would come my way.
Who is it that I seek to please now? To whom do I look for affirmation and confirmation? I know what my immediate response ought to be, and so I am quick to want to say that. But what do my actions say on behalf of me? If you were to look at me from the inside out, would you conclude that God is my audience… and that my goal is to please Him?
Father, may my life reflect the value that You are the One I seek to honor in all I do.
Daniel
I went with Sarah on Tuesday to the boys’ swimming lesson (they have been taking lessons this week from Grant’s school teacher). I was careful to keep my eye on them when it was their turn to do something, because they had already been asking me off and on all day to watch them as they would show me what all they could do.
I can remember doing the same thing for my parents when I was their age… wanting to show off what I could do for them, so as to receive whatever verbal accolades would come my way.
Who is it that I seek to please now? To whom do I look for affirmation and confirmation? I know what my immediate response ought to be, and so I am quick to want to say that. But what do my actions say on behalf of me? If you were to look at me from the inside out, would you conclude that God is my audience… and that my goal is to please Him?
Father, may my life reflect the value that You are the One I seek to honor in all I do.
Daniel
Thursday, June 24, 2010
#302.4 – “Baker’s Helpers”
“He took our sins on Himself, giving His body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by His wounds we have been made well.” – 1 Peter 2:24
I was icing the cake I made for our men’s cake bake last Sunday afternoon, when I noticed that I had two eager beavers who wanted to help me. I told the girls that they could help watch me and make sure I didn’t miss a spot, but that I didn’t think they should actually ice it with or for me, because I was the one who supposed to do that job by myself. They were fine with their role and carefully looked over the cake to make sure I hadn’t missed any spots. I told them their reward could be having a piece that night (which they did)!
No matter how bad we want to help, there are some things with which we cannot assist. One such thing is our redemption. We have the choice to accept or not accept the gift of God’s grace; that part is up to us. But we have absolutely no part in redeeming our sinful, fallen nature; that job is Christ’s alone. He is the only One assigned by God to carry out that task. He is the only One perfectly capable of fulfilling the requirements necessary to do such a thing. His blood is the only acceptable sacrifice that makes our atonement possible. Without Him, there is no cake.
So, as much as we want to help, we must remind ourselves that the only thing we can really do in seeing ourselves made new again is simply that: stand by and watch God’s grace happen all over us and accept it as it was meant to be – a gift.
Daniel
I was icing the cake I made for our men’s cake bake last Sunday afternoon, when I noticed that I had two eager beavers who wanted to help me. I told the girls that they could help watch me and make sure I didn’t miss a spot, but that I didn’t think they should actually ice it with or for me, because I was the one who supposed to do that job by myself. They were fine with their role and carefully looked over the cake to make sure I hadn’t missed any spots. I told them their reward could be having a piece that night (which they did)!
No matter how bad we want to help, there are some things with which we cannot assist. One such thing is our redemption. We have the choice to accept or not accept the gift of God’s grace; that part is up to us. But we have absolutely no part in redeeming our sinful, fallen nature; that job is Christ’s alone. He is the only One assigned by God to carry out that task. He is the only One perfectly capable of fulfilling the requirements necessary to do such a thing. His blood is the only acceptable sacrifice that makes our atonement possible. Without Him, there is no cake.
So, as much as we want to help, we must remind ourselves that the only thing we can really do in seeing ourselves made new again is simply that: stand by and watch God’s grace happen all over us and accept it as it was meant to be – a gift.
Daniel
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
#302.3 – “I Think I Could Pick Him Out of a Line-up”
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” – Philippians 3:8-10
For the ‘Papas and Pigtails Picnic’ here at the church building last Saturday, there was a game in which the daughters were supposed to answer some questions to see how well they know their dad. It was made up of ten questions, mostly with multiple choice answers. Every dad and daughter got to answer the questions – which were all about dad – and then compare answers to see who within the same family answered the same. We got tickled at my and the girls’ responses as we went along, because I think we only answered two or three out of ten alike! I guess they might be able to pick me out of a line up if necessary!
Deciding what it is that determines how well we know something affects the outcome for which we are looking; a lot rides on what measure we use. I believe my girls know me fairy well, but you sure wouldn’t be able to tell that by that game (which was just in fun, of course)! What measure I use to determine how well I know my heavenly Father can affect the outcome significantly…
If all I go by is how many church services I attend, I can bank up some days on a calendar and be quite satisfied with myself.
If I decide to look at how much money I give, I can log in a high percentage or big amounts in my balance book and be content.
If I use the standard of how busy I can be with church-related activities, then… well, you get the point.
But if I seek to use the same standard that Paul used in the New Testament, I should measure how well I know God by how much I am like Him - having gained His righteousness by faith - conforming myself to His image and character.
Lord, help me not deceive myself with measures that would tell me what I want to hear, but rather give me a desire to truly be like You in who I am, and help me to see that it’s all by Your grace.
Daniel
For the ‘Papas and Pigtails Picnic’ here at the church building last Saturday, there was a game in which the daughters were supposed to answer some questions to see how well they know their dad. It was made up of ten questions, mostly with multiple choice answers. Every dad and daughter got to answer the questions – which were all about dad – and then compare answers to see who within the same family answered the same. We got tickled at my and the girls’ responses as we went along, because I think we only answered two or three out of ten alike! I guess they might be able to pick me out of a line up if necessary!
Deciding what it is that determines how well we know something affects the outcome for which we are looking; a lot rides on what measure we use. I believe my girls know me fairy well, but you sure wouldn’t be able to tell that by that game (which was just in fun, of course)! What measure I use to determine how well I know my heavenly Father can affect the outcome significantly…
If all I go by is how many church services I attend, I can bank up some days on a calendar and be quite satisfied with myself.
If I decide to look at how much money I give, I can log in a high percentage or big amounts in my balance book and be content.
If I use the standard of how busy I can be with church-related activities, then… well, you get the point.
But if I seek to use the same standard that Paul used in the New Testament, I should measure how well I know God by how much I am like Him - having gained His righteousness by faith - conforming myself to His image and character.
Lord, help me not deceive myself with measures that would tell me what I want to hear, but rather give me a desire to truly be like You in who I am, and help me to see that it’s all by Your grace.
Daniel
Monday, June 21, 2010
#302.2 – “Shadow-Watching”
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
Grant wanted me to play catch with him the other day. So we went out in the driveway and threw the ball back and forth with him. After a few pitches and catches the old fashioned way, he decided he wanted to fancy things up a bit, so he started throwing the ball at our fence gate and letting it ricochet back to us, making a game out of seeing who could get the ball first. Most of the time, he would begin this drill by positioning himself in the front (he’s no dummy), so as to give himself a prime chance of catching the ball. This (of course) left me in the back… giving me a great perspective, as I got to watch our shadows chase each other around in the midday sunshine on the pavement.
Seeing those two shadows dance around that day reminded me of how big he is getting and how much more alike those two frames are becoming. He is growing up fast. I hope and pray that, as he does, he not only grows in physical height, but in spiritual depth. I hope that he will come to be a man that resembles not so much his dear ol’ dad as the One who casts no shadow. I hope he has a love for Christ that deepens and widens as he ages. And I hope I get to see at least some of that maturing.
May we all seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
Daniel
Grant wanted me to play catch with him the other day. So we went out in the driveway and threw the ball back and forth with him. After a few pitches and catches the old fashioned way, he decided he wanted to fancy things up a bit, so he started throwing the ball at our fence gate and letting it ricochet back to us, making a game out of seeing who could get the ball first. Most of the time, he would begin this drill by positioning himself in the front (he’s no dummy), so as to give himself a prime chance of catching the ball. This (of course) left me in the back… giving me a great perspective, as I got to watch our shadows chase each other around in the midday sunshine on the pavement.
Seeing those two shadows dance around that day reminded me of how big he is getting and how much more alike those two frames are becoming. He is growing up fast. I hope and pray that, as he does, he not only grows in physical height, but in spiritual depth. I hope that he will come to be a man that resembles not so much his dear ol’ dad as the One who casts no shadow. I hope he has a love for Christ that deepens and widens as he ages. And I hope I get to see at least some of that maturing.
May we all seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
Daniel
#302.1 – “It’s Nice to Be in Demand”
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” – Psalms 23:4
This past weekend, it seemed to me like all the kids wanted me to play with them. In fact, just the other day, three of the four kids asked me to do something with each of them within five minutes of each other. It’s nice to be in such high demand (a reality I know won’t always be there), but I had to say ‘no’ a few times because I needed to get some kind of work done around the house. I hate having to miss out on such good opportunities to be with my kids in favor of doing work, but it has to be done. Sometimes I can get them to spend time with me by having them help me do things, but there are many times when they cannot help (like when I am cutting grass). The only time when I cannot work outside is when they are asleep and I cannot play with them then. It is frustrating.
Conversely, there is no time of day when my heavenly Father is unavailable to me. There is never a time when he is too busy for me… or occupied with other things. He is always ready to listen… always there to help… always available.
God, thank You for being there all the time.
Daniel
This past weekend, it seemed to me like all the kids wanted me to play with them. In fact, just the other day, three of the four kids asked me to do something with each of them within five minutes of each other. It’s nice to be in such high demand (a reality I know won’t always be there), but I had to say ‘no’ a few times because I needed to get some kind of work done around the house. I hate having to miss out on such good opportunities to be with my kids in favor of doing work, but it has to be done. Sometimes I can get them to spend time with me by having them help me do things, but there are many times when they cannot help (like when I am cutting grass). The only time when I cannot work outside is when they are asleep and I cannot play with them then. It is frustrating.
Conversely, there is no time of day when my heavenly Father is unavailable to me. There is never a time when he is too busy for me… or occupied with other things. He is always ready to listen… always there to help… always available.
God, thank You for being there all the time.
Daniel
Friday, June 18, 2010
#301.5 – “Well, Good Morning to You, Too”
“And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.” – Luke 8:15
This morning we awoke to the sound of two girls arguing over some of their things. They were being loud enough that we could hear them from the other side of the house. The next sound I heard was Sarah telling them that this was not what she wanted to hear when she first woke up. After that, you could have heard a pin drop!
My thoughts or words or deeds are sometimes displeasing to God – not what He wants to hear/see from me. But not until I have felt the same disappointment do I sense so clearly just how much it hurts.
May we all orient ourselves to seeing and hearing things the way God sees and hears them by grounding ourselves in His Word and looking at things from His perspective. And may we seek to bless His ears and eyes and heart with what we do and say today.
Daniel
This morning we awoke to the sound of two girls arguing over some of their things. They were being loud enough that we could hear them from the other side of the house. The next sound I heard was Sarah telling them that this was not what she wanted to hear when she first woke up. After that, you could have heard a pin drop!
My thoughts or words or deeds are sometimes displeasing to God – not what He wants to hear/see from me. But not until I have felt the same disappointment do I sense so clearly just how much it hurts.
May we all orient ourselves to seeing and hearing things the way God sees and hears them by grounding ourselves in His Word and looking at things from His perspective. And may we seek to bless His ears and eyes and heart with what we do and say today.
Daniel
Thursday, June 17, 2010
#301.4 – “That’s His Story and He’s Stickin’ to It”
“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” – Genesis 3:7-8
Yesterday, Grant had gotten some candy from a jar that stays on my desk. He also got some for Joshua, Kameron, and Colin (who were up here at the time). The only problem was that he had not asked if he could have it. All of this transpired without me knowing. It was Sarah who found out he had candy and questioned him as to whether or not he had asked me first. He said he had. Sensing that he was not being totally honest, she pursued the line of questioning further. She then asked him if I would confirm his story were she to ask me about it (thinking this would break him and force his hand to tell the truth). He rolled the dice and maintained his story. Then, she started down the hall towards me in order to ask me… and he stopped her and confessed.
Adam and Eve weren’t hiding from God anymore than Grant could hide his sin from his mother. Yet they attempted to cover their wrong and hide from the very Presence of their Creator. Why? Because of the shame involved that comes from breaking fellowship with the will of God. They instinctively knew that something was amiss in their relationship now that they had sinned, and the only thing they knew to do was to try and bury that wrong behind a facade of fig leaves and fruit trees.
You and I can put on the nicest clothes and fake the best smile we have… and we may fool one another, but we will never deceive Truth. He sees when we put our hands into the cookie jar. He knows when we take a bite of the apple. He knows us.
He knows us.
He knows us because He made us. Because He made us, He knows what is best for us. And that is the real issue here. It is not about a piece of candy. It’s about us entering into a relationship of trust with the One who only wants what is best for us… and us believing in Him to the point that we simply trust and obey.
Daniel
Yesterday, Grant had gotten some candy from a jar that stays on my desk. He also got some for Joshua, Kameron, and Colin (who were up here at the time). The only problem was that he had not asked if he could have it. All of this transpired without me knowing. It was Sarah who found out he had candy and questioned him as to whether or not he had asked me first. He said he had. Sensing that he was not being totally honest, she pursued the line of questioning further. She then asked him if I would confirm his story were she to ask me about it (thinking this would break him and force his hand to tell the truth). He rolled the dice and maintained his story. Then, she started down the hall towards me in order to ask me… and he stopped her and confessed.
Adam and Eve weren’t hiding from God anymore than Grant could hide his sin from his mother. Yet they attempted to cover their wrong and hide from the very Presence of their Creator. Why? Because of the shame involved that comes from breaking fellowship with the will of God. They instinctively knew that something was amiss in their relationship now that they had sinned, and the only thing they knew to do was to try and bury that wrong behind a facade of fig leaves and fruit trees.
You and I can put on the nicest clothes and fake the best smile we have… and we may fool one another, but we will never deceive Truth. He sees when we put our hands into the cookie jar. He knows when we take a bite of the apple. He knows us.
He knows us.
He knows us because He made us. Because He made us, He knows what is best for us. And that is the real issue here. It is not about a piece of candy. It’s about us entering into a relationship of trust with the One who only wants what is best for us… and us believing in Him to the point that we simply trust and obey.
Daniel
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
#301.3 – “Healing”
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.” – 3 John 1:2-3
It has now been over two weeks since Sarah injured herself, and she is so much better now – scabs have formed and many have fallen off, leaving a bright pink, ‘new’ skin behind… places that were painful are now itching… and she can pretty much move around like she wants to now. She even rode her bike in our neighborhood yesterday! I am so grateful that her body is healing like it should.
God made our bodies to be healthy. He even included a healing ‘system’, designed to help restore the body to its intended state.
God also intends for the Body of Christ – the Church – to be healthy. How can we know what healthy is? By looking to the Word of God. It is our ‘system’ to give us both the prescription and power needed to be healthy spiritually. May we all subscribe to its teachings as we seek to live out our faith.
Daniel
It has now been over two weeks since Sarah injured herself, and she is so much better now – scabs have formed and many have fallen off, leaving a bright pink, ‘new’ skin behind… places that were painful are now itching… and she can pretty much move around like she wants to now. She even rode her bike in our neighborhood yesterday! I am so grateful that her body is healing like it should.
God made our bodies to be healthy. He even included a healing ‘system’, designed to help restore the body to its intended state.
God also intends for the Body of Christ – the Church – to be healthy. How can we know what healthy is? By looking to the Word of God. It is our ‘system’ to give us both the prescription and power needed to be healthy spiritually. May we all subscribe to its teachings as we seek to live out our faith.
Daniel
Monday, June 14, 2010
#301.2 – “Prayer Answered”
“Meanwhile Peter went on knocking, and, when they opened the gate and saw him, they were amazed.” – Acts 12:16
You remember the story that goes with the verse above – how the believers were gathering to pray for Peter’s release from prison… and then, when he shows up at the door, no one believes it is really him? Well, in similar fashion, I had a startling revelation that came to me the evening after Sarah hit the pavement.
I was thinking about how much worse she could have been hurt (granted, at that point, she was in a great deal of pain and there would be a lot of recovery still to come, but she wasn’t bleeding anymore and her memory had come back). I mean, she could have broken bones… the eye itself could have been punctured… she could have bled a lot more… or suffered worse than a mild concussion.
And then it hit me that before breakfast that morning, I had simply prayed that God would protect and watch over us… a prayer no different than many others I have prayed in the past. In fact, it was a prayer that I would have to admit I myself had not thought much about when I was praying (I was kinda half-asleep!). But thankfully, God was awake and thinking about it (and us), and He faithfully answered as He watched over Sarah that day.
I can still see in my mind the image of her falling so quickly over the front of that bike. She didn’t make a sound as she went over… she didn’t move for a few seconds afterwards…
The fact that she got up, and is healing, and feeling and doing much better now, is nothing short of miraculous… and is due to the One who is always answering our prayers (even those half-asleep ones!).
So this week when you pray to the Lord, count on Him to answer in the way that is true to His character and best for you, because He loves you and He listens!
Daniel
You remember the story that goes with the verse above – how the believers were gathering to pray for Peter’s release from prison… and then, when he shows up at the door, no one believes it is really him? Well, in similar fashion, I had a startling revelation that came to me the evening after Sarah hit the pavement.
I was thinking about how much worse she could have been hurt (granted, at that point, she was in a great deal of pain and there would be a lot of recovery still to come, but she wasn’t bleeding anymore and her memory had come back). I mean, she could have broken bones… the eye itself could have been punctured… she could have bled a lot more… or suffered worse than a mild concussion.
And then it hit me that before breakfast that morning, I had simply prayed that God would protect and watch over us… a prayer no different than many others I have prayed in the past. In fact, it was a prayer that I would have to admit I myself had not thought much about when I was praying (I was kinda half-asleep!). But thankfully, God was awake and thinking about it (and us), and He faithfully answered as He watched over Sarah that day.
I can still see in my mind the image of her falling so quickly over the front of that bike. She didn’t make a sound as she went over… she didn’t move for a few seconds afterwards…
The fact that she got up, and is healing, and feeling and doing much better now, is nothing short of miraculous… and is due to the One who is always answering our prayers (even those half-asleep ones!).
So this week when you pray to the Lord, count on Him to answer in the way that is true to His character and best for you, because He loves you and He listens!
Daniel
#301.1 – “What Day Is It?”
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
One of the things that occurred as a result of Sarah’s bicycle accident was the fact that she could not remember things for a while. For example, once we got back to my parents’ house, she kept asking me what day it was… and then she realized she couldn’t remember coming down the day before… nor could she remember much of anything of the weekend. As I bathed her, I prompted her to remember certain key things that had recently transpired. Slowly but surely, she began to remember things again. It probably took over a few hours for her memory to completely clear up.
The mind is an amazing creation of God. It is capable of remembering things that happened decades ago with great detail. I was just thinking the other day about an event that took place in my childhood… and I can not only remember the things that went on, I can recall exactly where I was… and the weather… and the way things looked.
The mind is also a very delicate and fragile thing. When the old noodle suffers a knock like Sarah’s did that day, it can have consequences. That’s why I looked to my mother to confirm that Sarah’s memory loss was not terribly uncommon, and that it should pass soon. She agreed, which considerably comforted me. So, in an effort to not startle Sarah, I tried hard not to look too concerned as she kept asking me: ‘What day is it?’
The Bible tells us that the mind is the battlefield where satan wages war against God’s children. It is the place where the attacks take place, and it is the crucial site where he can do the most damage if he gets a stronghold. This is why the Scriptures make a point of filling our minds with godly thoughts. This is how we fight the battle we are called to fight. This is how we gain victory over the enemy. This is how we best honor our God and our Lord.
May we seek to engage in this cosmic battle by engaging our minds with the Word of God and in prayer with Him.
Daniel
One of the things that occurred as a result of Sarah’s bicycle accident was the fact that she could not remember things for a while. For example, once we got back to my parents’ house, she kept asking me what day it was… and then she realized she couldn’t remember coming down the day before… nor could she remember much of anything of the weekend. As I bathed her, I prompted her to remember certain key things that had recently transpired. Slowly but surely, she began to remember things again. It probably took over a few hours for her memory to completely clear up.
The mind is an amazing creation of God. It is capable of remembering things that happened decades ago with great detail. I was just thinking the other day about an event that took place in my childhood… and I can not only remember the things that went on, I can recall exactly where I was… and the weather… and the way things looked.
The mind is also a very delicate and fragile thing. When the old noodle suffers a knock like Sarah’s did that day, it can have consequences. That’s why I looked to my mother to confirm that Sarah’s memory loss was not terribly uncommon, and that it should pass soon. She agreed, which considerably comforted me. So, in an effort to not startle Sarah, I tried hard not to look too concerned as she kept asking me: ‘What day is it?’
The Bible tells us that the mind is the battlefield where satan wages war against God’s children. It is the place where the attacks take place, and it is the crucial site where he can do the most damage if he gets a stronghold. This is why the Scriptures make a point of filling our minds with godly thoughts. This is how we fight the battle we are called to fight. This is how we gain victory over the enemy. This is how we best honor our God and our Lord.
May we seek to engage in this cosmic battle by engaging our minds with the Word of God and in prayer with Him.
Daniel
Monday, June 7, 2010
#300.1– “Totally Dependent”
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” – Isaiah 31:1
The walk back to my parents’ house was an interesting experience in and of itself. Sarah was so drunk from the fall that she dragged me all over the road as we walked. I had her arm around my shoulder and my arm around her side and it was all I could do to keep her going straight. She would pull me over her direction one second and then run into me the next. By the time we got her to the house, I sat her down along the brick railing of their driveway, so that we could wash off the initial blood and see just how bad the cuts really were.
She had really ‘popped’ that left eye, which was swollen and bleeding steadily at that point… so much so that the only way to really tell how bad it was would be to get her cleaned up even more. So I helped her get inside in order to give her a bath. And when I say give her a bath, I mean give her a bath. She couldn’t lift her arms… she couldn’t pick her feet up… she couldn’t use her hands without being in serious pain. She was totally dependent on me to do it for her.
One of the toughest parts of surrendering to the Lord is volunteering to do so. Choosing to be totally dependent upon God for everything is not something that we who can wash ourselves are often willing to do. Our horses and chariots can lull us into feeling satisfied in them. But how much more beautiful it is to trust God for the next step… wait upon Him to direct our steps… and allow His grace to pour over us and give us what we cannot provide for ourselves.
May we all seek to be totally dependent upon God.
Daniel
The walk back to my parents’ house was an interesting experience in and of itself. Sarah was so drunk from the fall that she dragged me all over the road as we walked. I had her arm around my shoulder and my arm around her side and it was all I could do to keep her going straight. She would pull me over her direction one second and then run into me the next. By the time we got her to the house, I sat her down along the brick railing of their driveway, so that we could wash off the initial blood and see just how bad the cuts really were.
She had really ‘popped’ that left eye, which was swollen and bleeding steadily at that point… so much so that the only way to really tell how bad it was would be to get her cleaned up even more. So I helped her get inside in order to give her a bath. And when I say give her a bath, I mean give her a bath. She couldn’t lift her arms… she couldn’t pick her feet up… she couldn’t use her hands without being in serious pain. She was totally dependent on me to do it for her.
One of the toughest parts of surrendering to the Lord is volunteering to do so. Choosing to be totally dependent upon God for everything is not something that we who can wash ourselves are often willing to do. Our horses and chariots can lull us into feeling satisfied in them. But how much more beautiful it is to trust God for the next step… wait upon Him to direct our steps… and allow His grace to pour over us and give us what we cannot provide for ourselves.
May we all seek to be totally dependent upon God.
Daniel
Friday, June 4, 2010
#299.2 – “Wow! That’s a Lot of Blood!”
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19
Sarah was only on the pavement for a few seconds before she tried to get up again after her fall off the bicycle. I was running down the hill towards her… watching her try to get up… telling her to stay down. Before I could make it to her, she stood… for a second or two… and then fell over again. By the time she made a second attempt at getting up, I had gotten to her. I told her to sit for minute and give herself time to get her legs underneath her.
In that brief time (less than a minute) of sitting there, I could see a copious amount of blood coming forth from above her eye… running down her face and into her hair and onto her shirt. In an effort to not upset either her or Grant, I tried not to look at the blood with a face of shock and awe and disgust. I must admit it that was quite a challenge! Blood was everywhere.
Blood and I often do not get along too well. That’s rather ironic, considering the fact that my mother was a nurse in the ER in a B’ham hospital, and I practically grew up there – watching people walk in with all kinds of wounds and injuries. But having been removed from that setting for a long time, I admit that certain images now gross me out or make me nauseous. I don’t know if it was just the fact that duty was calling or what, but I managed to be perfectly fine as Sarah and I walked back to my parents… her bleeding all over me the whole way.
The blood of our Savior is a precious thing… more precious than silver or gold to us who have been saved by it. It is an invaluable resource for us spiritually, and we should be eternally grateful for it.
Lord, help me to be more thankful and grateful for your blood… and help me more fully realize what that blood did for me and my sins.
Daniel
Sarah was only on the pavement for a few seconds before she tried to get up again after her fall off the bicycle. I was running down the hill towards her… watching her try to get up… telling her to stay down. Before I could make it to her, she stood… for a second or two… and then fell over again. By the time she made a second attempt at getting up, I had gotten to her. I told her to sit for minute and give herself time to get her legs underneath her.
In that brief time (less than a minute) of sitting there, I could see a copious amount of blood coming forth from above her eye… running down her face and into her hair and onto her shirt. In an effort to not upset either her or Grant, I tried not to look at the blood with a face of shock and awe and disgust. I must admit it that was quite a challenge! Blood was everywhere.
Blood and I often do not get along too well. That’s rather ironic, considering the fact that my mother was a nurse in the ER in a B’ham hospital, and I practically grew up there – watching people walk in with all kinds of wounds and injuries. But having been removed from that setting for a long time, I admit that certain images now gross me out or make me nauseous. I don’t know if it was just the fact that duty was calling or what, but I managed to be perfectly fine as Sarah and I walked back to my parents… her bleeding all over me the whole way.
The blood of our Savior is a precious thing… more precious than silver or gold to us who have been saved by it. It is an invaluable resource for us spiritually, and we should be eternally grateful for it.
Lord, help me to be more thankful and grateful for your blood… and help me more fully realize what that blood did for me and my sins.
Daniel
Thursday, June 3, 2010
#299.1 – “An Evil Knievel She Is Not”
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
We went to my parents Monday and Tuesday to celebrate Memorial Day with them. Tuesday morning, we had a day we will definitely not forget for a long time…
That day, Sarah and I took a walk and Grant rode his bike in an adjacent neighborhood development from my parent’s house. On one end of the neighborhood, there are no houses yet built… only lots. Consequently, it is a great street for Grant to practice riding his bike because there is no traffic and it is a dead end street. We walked over there with him both to encourage him and to get some exercise ourselves.
On one end of the street is a fairly good sized hill. We kept trying to get Grant to ride down it, telling him it would be fun. He wouldn’t do it. In an effort to encourage him, Sarah decided she would get on his bike and go down it. I had done it the day before without any problems, so I thought she could do it too. And she did… make it down the hill, that is. Then when she got there, she ran through a patch of fine gravel. The front tire wobbled, and Sarah went over the handlebars… face first.
I will continue the saga of Sarah and the pavement throughout the days ahead, but let me suffice this edition by first telling you that she is okay – bruised and battered a bit, but okay. And secondly, let me say that Sarah’s spill reminded me that it is always wise to know one’s boundaries and limitations. Too often, I think that I can do anything and that I can do it without God or anyone else. God’s Word reminds me that there is only One who is unlimited in His ability and power… and that I am not Him.
Daniel
We went to my parents Monday and Tuesday to celebrate Memorial Day with them. Tuesday morning, we had a day we will definitely not forget for a long time…
That day, Sarah and I took a walk and Grant rode his bike in an adjacent neighborhood development from my parent’s house. On one end of the neighborhood, there are no houses yet built… only lots. Consequently, it is a great street for Grant to practice riding his bike because there is no traffic and it is a dead end street. We walked over there with him both to encourage him and to get some exercise ourselves.
On one end of the street is a fairly good sized hill. We kept trying to get Grant to ride down it, telling him it would be fun. He wouldn’t do it. In an effort to encourage him, Sarah decided she would get on his bike and go down it. I had done it the day before without any problems, so I thought she could do it too. And she did… make it down the hill, that is. Then when she got there, she ran through a patch of fine gravel. The front tire wobbled, and Sarah went over the handlebars… face first.
I will continue the saga of Sarah and the pavement throughout the days ahead, but let me suffice this edition by first telling you that she is okay – bruised and battered a bit, but okay. And secondly, let me say that Sarah’s spill reminded me that it is always wise to know one’s boundaries and limitations. Too often, I think that I can do anything and that I can do it without God or anyone else. God’s Word reminds me that there is only One who is unlimited in His ability and power… and that I am not Him.
Daniel
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