Ramblings From Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAMBLING THOUGHTS

FROM RON

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. While modern inventions have changed our way of life, for some reason many in the church, both clergy and lay, want to reinterpret God’s Word to make it fit the society of today. It is my hope that my RAMBLING THOUGHTS might lead you to consider that what the Bible calls Sin is still Sin and what the Bible calls Love is still Love. I will be talking about the ‘SOMETHINGS" that God wants us to do, about general topics, and sharing thoughts on Bible passages now and then. On whatever I write, I am interested in your feedback. When it comes to talking about God’s Word, only our Triune God knows the exact Truth. If you think I am in error, please tell me and maybe in this way, we can both grow, not only in our Faith, but in anticipation of the Heavenly Mansions that Jesus has gone to prepare for us in His Father's House.

 

God's Peace.  See You At The House. 

 

 

 

BEGIN AGAIN

TO LET ME BE WHO GOD WANTS ME TO BE

 

PARKING LOTS AND SHOPPING CARTS


It has been quite some time since I have shared with you a THOUGHT that has entered my mind during my daily hour at the mall parking lot while drinking my coffee along with reading and thinking. I find that I can see so many lessons concerning God and the response of people to Him. Some things that I see give Praise to God, while other things seem to ignore His existence.

In most parking lots where there is either a grocery store or one of the major discount stores, shopping carts are scattered everywhere. Maybe you have been there on a windy day and have shuddered as I have when a gust of wind propelled a driverless shopping cart right toward my car. Then BANG, the cart hits the car and I see a Teaching Moment on the Seventh Commandment. My car is now ten years old, and it has a few dings and dents, so another one here or there does not really bother me. However, when I put the event together with Thou Shalt Not Steal, it does bother me. Maybe you don’t get the connection because you don’t see anyone stealing; just a cart rolling across the lot.

But wait a minute. If you were in Catechism Class as a youth, you probably remember that when you memorized the Commandments, you also memorized the Meaning. You probably still remember them, but if you don’t, here is the meaning that Martin Luther wrote:

“We should fear and love God so that we do not rob our neighbor of his money nor property, nor bring them into our possession by unfair dealings or fraud but HELP HIM T0 IMPROVE HIS PROPERTY AND LIVING.”

If I don’t put my empty cart in the enclosures provided by the store and it rolls away to hit a car, I have broken the Commandment.

If I have gotten out of my car and walked past a cart sitting in the lot instead of pushing it into the store and that cart damages another car, I have broken the Commandment. This really happened: I observed a man get out of his car and walk right past a cart in the parking lot. It was less than two minutes later that a gust of wind started the cart moving and it ran right into the car of the man who walked past it.

I have never understood why we willingly add to the cost of our purchases the salaries of those who spend their work hours bringing empty carts back into the store.

Would you BEGIN AGAIN to be the person God wants you to be by returning shopping carts to the store or at least pushing them to the enclosures provided? Would you go one step farther and each time that you walk from the parking lot to the store, along the way take a cart that is just sitting there and push it inside?

To you who do like my wife does, I say thank you for willingly taking the cart back to the store or taking it to the enclosure AND for pushing an empty cart into the store each time you go in. May your fine example encourage others to BEGIN AGAIN to be the people God wants them to be. 
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?  Email me and I will be happy to respond.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

BEGIN AGAIN

TO LET ME BE WHO GOD WANTS ME TO BE

WHAT WILL YOU SACRIFICE FOR LENT?


How do we go about making our preparations for Lent? Maybe the better question would be, Do we even bother thinking about the Lenten Season? My guess would be that we give little thought to this important Season in our Christian Life.

It seems to me if we give thought to other upcoming events in our lives, the Lenten Season should receive the same amount of attention. Think about what we do for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, weddings, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, Baptisms, Confirmations and the list goes on and on. We set dates, plan menus, decide on gifts, develop a guest list, budget some funds for the expenses, make sure we have the clothing we desire, and again the list can go on and on. But what do we do for Lent? At best for some it might be to complain because there will be an extra Worship Service each week and for others to rejoice over the extra opportunity for Worship and Meditation on the Passion History of Christ and how meaningful and Inspiring that can be for our own lives.

Yes, I recall from my childhood days there was always the discussion of what we would give up for Lent. There were always those that proudly said they would give up watermelon and then laugh because you could not buy that in the store at that time of year. I recall that in adult years I had some good Roman Catholic friends who would give up drinking beer, but they always told me to remember that Sundays don’t count as days of Lent and that St. Patrick’s Day did not count as one either. Yet, I have known people all my life who were very serious about this and would choose something that they really liked and enjoyed such as candy, soft drinks, certain kinds of or maybe even all baked goods.

Whether they were serious or not, there was one aspect that really bothered me. I could not understand what good it did and how it related to Lent or increased my understanding of the Suffering Jesus did for me. Yes, some would take the money that they would have spent for the item they were giving up and give that to the Church or to a charity. Some would have a good feeling because they were able to deny themselves something they really liked. However, in each case they were happy when Easter came and they could go back to their old ways.

It seems to me that if this denial is to be a sacrifice in thanks for Jesus giving His Life for me, then my sacrifice for Him should be real, not self serving, and it should be long lasting.

What are you planning on sacrificing, giving up, for Lent? If you have not yet decided, here is a suggestion if you would like to Begin Again to be the person God wants you to be. A common complaint is that they don’t have enough time to get done what they want to do each day. Knowing that, I still would suggest that your plans for Lent would include the sacrifice of an hour each day and give that to God. If it is to be a Sacrifice, that hints it will be a struggle. But you can do it.

WHAT HOUR COULD I GIVE TO GOD? There are several options.

You could wake up an hour earlier and use that hour for your devotions. You might use this hour to eat your breakfast while having your devotional time. This can be done either at home or in a cafe.

If you have an hour for lunch where you work, you could use this time in place of the normal gathering with others. This could build into others joining you for the time of Devotion.

Another time period would help you to give up more than just the hour. If we are honest with ourselves, there are many TV programs that we watch that are not pleasing to God. This may be because of the language, sexual content, violence, or even the life style of some of the cast in real life. By giving up that hour and no longer watching that program, you are removing some temptations from your life and replacing that with growing in faith and knowledge of the Love of God for you in your life.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND THE HOUR? Use a Devotional booklet that might be available at your church. There are also many devotional reading schedules on the web. Select a Read the Bible in a year program, once again there are many on the web. Get a book of sermons and read one each day. I prefer reading sermons of some of the great preachers of many years ago. Some of these are also available on the web. Buy an Inspirational book from your local Christian Bookstore or check one out from your church or public library and read a chapter or two each day.

ONE WORD OF WARNING. You may also find that you will want more than an hour. That is good. I am convinced that if we develop a burning desire to live as Christ would have us live, He will help us find the time we need.

HOW CAN I HELP? If you need the names of some books or other references, please let me know. It would be good if you felt comfortable in asking your Pastor about book recommendations. If you know any retired Pastors, they often have books written long ago that are full of truths we need to read again today.

WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT? I am convinced that if we BEGIN AGAIN to read and study the Bible, to write down questions that come to our minds, to either make a card file or memorize Bible passages that are helpful in our daily lives, we will not only be wanting more time to spend in growing in God’s Word, but we will be seeking and then doing those things that God wants us to do as we deny ourselves and follow Him.

St. Augustine is credited with saying:


“Without God, we cannot; Without us, God will not.”


May God be with you as you BEGIN AGAIN.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE  HOUSE. 

 

BEGIN AGAIN

TO LET THE CHURCH BE GOD’S CHURCH

 

IS THERE A FUTURE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN YOUR CHURCH?

 

For some time I have had concerns about the future of Sunday School and Christian Education and the importance we place on it in our lives and in our Church.

 

AS I THINK BACK, I REMEMBER.......

 

-- A church half filled with Sunday School Children and teachers for the Opening. It was led by the Pastor and there was always something taught in his remarks that went along with the lesson of that day.

 

-- The Church basement that was filled with tables and chairs for the classes often with nothing to divide them or at best a curtain that could be drawn to separate them.

 

-- There were monthly Sunday School Teachers meetings where the Pastor provided thoughts and help for the main theme of the lesson for each week.

 

-- When children went to Sunday School and Church, as there was no Nursery, and the children learned the hymns just by listening and heard the Bible Readings and Sermons even if they could not always understand.

 

-- There were groups such as Junior Lutherans and Luther Leagues where the Bible and Service to God was the emphasis, not the social activities.

 

-- There were monthly meetings of the Pastor and those who would lead the various Bible Studies each month such as the Women’s and Men’s organizations.

 

-- There were weekly Saturday Morning Catechism Instructions for at least 7th and 8th graders where memory work and completed assignments were required and always taught by the Pastor.

 

-- There were various Adult Sunday School Classes and they were well attended. Often deep discussions about the teachings of God’s Holy Word.

 

-- There were hours spent each week by those who would teach, preparing the lesson and fewer hours by those who would be the students.

 

AS I SEE IT TODAY......

 

-- We have built Parish Education Buildings so each Class would have a room, but many rooms are empty week after week.

 

-- Congregations have made the decision that Sunday School is not as important as it used to be and many have canceled Sunday School for the summer.  Even more troublesome is the fact that Sunday School Classes in many Congregations are canceled Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Easter weekend because they interfere with family activities of students and teachers.

 

-- I seldom hear of Sunday School Teacher Meetings other than to plan the Christmas program or maybe the Sunday School Picnic.

 

-- There are only a few places where Pastors meet with those who will be leading Bible Studies. I also fear that many who teach do not spend much time or do much research in preparation.      

                                       

CAN WE GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO......

 

-- Considering not what went wrong, but what can we do to reverse this downward trend?

 

We would not think of building a house, a bridge, a highway or major building without being sure the proper foundation was there before the building started to be erected. Can we do less with the foundation of faith that is so important in the life of each individual?

 

Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, You know that I do.” This was asked three times and the answer was the same. After each answer Jesus said, “Feed My Sheep.” 

 

If you have an example of how your Congregation or you as an Individual are Feeding His Sheep, or a suggestion of what you think could be a way of bringing Christian Education for youth and adults back to the forefront, I would appreciate a response.  There will be more on this subject is future BEGIN AGAIN THOUGHTS.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE  HOUSE. 

 

BEGIN AGAIN

TO LET ME BE WHO GOD WANTS ME TO BE

 

IT IS THE SABBATH DAY, NOT JUST THE SABBATH HOUR

 

GRACE JARDINE taught me a lesson about the Sabbath Day that I did not understand at the time, yet I never forgot it.  Grace was a single lady who loved kids and loved being around them.  She was the School Nurse when I went to Benson High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

It was a couple years after I graduated that Grace taught me this lesson. Her love for kids was not just at the High School, but also other places such as the church she attended.  She organized and coached a team in the Omaha Men’s Softball Association.  Her team was always well-mannered, and, on top of that, enjoyed themselves win or lose.  This year her team was quite good and at City Tournament time was winning. Only a couple more games until the City Championship.

 

Then we could not believe it when we heard that Grace was not going to allow her team to play the next game.  There had been some games canceled by rain and in order to get all of the games in, Grace’s team was scheduled to play on Sunday. Grace said, NO, Sunday is God’s day and you don’t keep it Holy by playing organized ball on Sunday.  Her team agreed with her and on that Sunday, the other team was there, the umpires were there, but Grace and her team were not.

 

Compared to Grace I fall far short in my Sabbath Day observance.  For me, and I  hope for you, it is time to BEGIN AGAIN TO REMEMBER IT IS THE SABBATH DAY and not just a SABBATH  HOUR we are to keep Holy.

 

GOD’S PEACE.    SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.     

 

11/30/09

 

BEGIN AGAIN

TO LET GOD’S WORD BE GOD’S WORD

 

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

 

I can remember several times that I have purchased something where it says right on the package, “EASY TO ASSEMBLE.”   When I tried to put it together it seems to have taken a long, long time.  There were times when I was convinced that there was a part missing and was ready to take it back to the store to get one with all of the parts.  Then I happened to glance at the box and printed right there were the words “STEPS FOR EASY ASSEMBLY.”  When I read those steps, all of a sudden it was one, two, three, four and I had the item assembled.  I was amazed that all of the parts were there.

 

Now I will be the first to admit that I don’t have much talent when it comes to assembling or repairing things.  At the same time I have known some very talented people who  tried many times to do something and finally after they had done everything they could think of, they set aside everything they had done, paused, and started to BEGIN AGAIN by taking time to read the instructions.

 

So it is often in our approach to assembling our Spiritual Lives. Some people think that they know enough about God’s Word that they don’t need to worry about anything.

 

They know that Jesus loves them because one of the first Sunday School songs they were taught was “JESUS LOVES ME.”  But do they know that to receive and benefit from that love, it requires not just words but also actions of commitment?

 

They know that Jesus has said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” and they turn to Him in prayer in times of need.  But do they also know that God has said, If you love Me you will keep My Commandments” and are they willing to make the sacrifices needed to keep those commandments?

 

They know that God hears them when they confess their sins and rejoice when they receive His forgiveness.  But do they have the same faith and joy when He adds these words, “Go and sin no more?”

 

There are many, many more similar examples that we could use. The point of this is to show that we may be well prepared to accept the easy things, but for some reason the hard sacrificial acts don't seem to fit into the comfortable Spiritual Life we want to assemble

.

Things go wrong.  We might think we are failures.  We might think that God has turned away from us.  We might feel that there is no hope for us, for our family, for our church, for our community, for our nation, or for our world.

 

If this kind of a feeling hits you, then it is time to BEGIN AGAIN and because all else has seemed to have failed, we need to read the instructions  We need to turn to God’s Word and not only rejoice in the easy things but as we read, as we pray, as we study the instructions found in His Word we will discover that the hard and sacrificial things God wants us to do can be, with His help, also easy and can be the most enjoyable events in our lives.

 

In The Bible, God’s Word tells us that Jesus has said, “No one cometh unto the Father but by Me for I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”  Again I encourage you to read the Gospels over and over and over again.  Among your other Bible readings, read one of the Gospels several times in a week.  Please do this in addition to your normal Bible Reading and not to replace something you are now doing. Be sure to pay attention and even make notes of:

What Jesus did for the disciples, the people at that time and is still doing for you.

 

What things Jesus said to or taught the disciples about reaching out to those who need to receive the Love of God.

 

What specific instructions does God’s Word give about what we should or should not be doing.

 

What Jesus said about the help we will receive when we seek to be His Disciples today.

If we BEGIN AGAIN to LET GOD’S WORD BE GOD’S WORD, we will find all of the instructions and help that we need to be the Child of God that He wants us to be.  Not only will we grow in faith and love for God, but we will also gladly and eagerly reach out to share that love with others.

 

Each day each of us fail and, as St. Paul says, “fall short of the Glory of God.” Each day let us read the instructions and BEGIN AGAIN to LET GOD’S WORD BE GOD’S WORD!

 

SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU.

 

 

BEGIN AGAIN

TO

LET GOD BE GOD

 

THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES PUMP HANDLE WON’T WORK

 

Have you ever said, “It does not do any good to pray, as God has never answered my prayers?”

 

How can you say God loves me when I am in so much pain or sorrow?

 

How can you say God loves all people when floods, earthquakes, blizzards, tornados, hurricanes and tsunamis do so much damage and take the lives of so many people?

 

I am sure that you can add many more examples to this list.  The more you add, the more you no longer trust God and probably no longer believe in Him and His Love for you.

 

If you, or someone you are trying to help, are asking these or similar questions, then it is time to Stop, Pause and BEGIN AGAIN.

 

There are so many, many things on TV that I believe are offensive to God. But, I find reruns of programs from many years ago enjoyable.  One of my favorites is THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES.  After striking oil on their mountain land in Tennessee, Jed, his  mother in law, Granny, his daughter, Elly May and his nephew Jethro move to a mansion in Beverly Hills.

 

In the early episodes they are disappointed because things they are accustomed to are not found in their new home.  One segment centered around the kitchen and Granny is fuming.  In their cabin in the hills they did not have electricity, there was no running water, and the cabin was heated by the fireplace in the main room.  Of course the stove was the old wood fired cook stove.  Granny was ready to go back to the hills, she was disgusted.  They had been told that the kitchen would be fully stocked with food when they arrived. She opened a fancy door to an odd looking pantry and sure enough it was full of food, but it was all frozen so hard she could never get it to thaw in time to fix the meal.  She could not see any sign of a stove, but she did think she saw a pump for the water.  The pump handle stuck out over some kind of a fancy basin and it  would turn from side to side but  when she  tried to pump it up and down to get the water to come out, it wouldn't work.  She couldn’t cook under those circumstances and when Jethro brought in the wood he had chopped, she told him to put it down and to tell Jed they were going back home where they could live like decent people did.  

 

Miss Jane Hathaway came to the rescue.  She helped Granny to understand that the pantry was really a freezer and all she had to do was set the meat out ahead of time.  That was okay but Granny was disappointed when there were no possum innards in the freezer.  Next was the stove.  She showed her where the burners were and opened the door to the oven.  As they were walking toward the sink Elly May came in with two buckets of water she had gotten from the cement pond.  Miss Jane showed them how to turn the faucets on for hot or cold water and that what Granny thought was the pump handle moved the faucets from one sink to the other. In the meantime, Jethro, seeing the oven door open, put the wood in the oven and started a fire so it would be ready when Granny wanted to cook.

 

In the end the kitchen appliances became well used by Granny and produced many a wonderful meal of Hawg Jowls, Possum Innards and Turnip Greens.

 

Often we cannot LET GOD BE GOD because just like Jed and his family we don't know what to do with what is there to help us.  Just like they could try and try to make that faucet be the pump, we all too often try and try to make God be what we want Him to be.

 

That “pump” in the kitchen was only going to work when they learned to turn on the faucet in order that the water that they needed could flow.  We will only be able to LET GOD BE GOD  when we open the pages of His Holy Word and as we read and study we are turning that faucet on to allow the LIVING WATER of HIS WORD to flow into our lives.  It is not enough just to receive the few segments of God’s Word as they come to us in the Scriptures that are read on Sunday mornings or the very brief verses that are part of a devotion that we read.  We need to allow God’s Word to flow freely so that we can connect the Old Testament with the New, so that we can see that the God of LOVE is also a demanding God who because of His Love for us has given us some rules to follow--not guidelines--rules.  We need to discover that these rules also represent His Love.

 

Let us BEGIN AGAIN today to discover the joy, the happiness, the contentment that can be ours if we LET GOD BE GOD by not only reading or hearing, but then DOING.

 

Start today by reading one Gospel a week.  If you finish St. Matthew before the week is over then read it as many times as you can in the week.  Read only after praying that the Holy Spirit would open your heart and your mind that you might see the richness of God’s Word and receive the Living Waters that will flow into your life.

 

If you need some help or have questions, feel free to contact me.  Find a friend to do this with you so that you can discuss what you read and share what you learn.  Make use of Concordances, Commentaries, and Cross Reference Bibles, but make sure they are not some of the newer things that are produced that place the thoughts of humanity over and above the thoughts of God.

 

BEGIN AGAIN to LET GOD BE GOD.  Your Eternal destination will depend on it.

 

SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU.

 

09/13/09

 

BEGIN AGAIN - 1

 

It has long been my opinion that ALL of the problems we face as individuals, communities, the nation, and the world can be cured or could have been avoided if God’s people lived as He would have  them live.  It is also my opinion that many things that we do each day and are acceptable by society are contrary to God’s Word and bring about these situations and events that cause us pain.

 

Many people live in fear and cry out, “What are we going to do?”  They call on government to fix things so that all will be right and then complain about higher taxes. People live and act in ways that only speed up the inhumanity that exists in this world.

 

All is not lost.  There is HOPE, in fact there are many promises from God that assure us of that HOPE--if we only seek to Live in His Name and according to His Word.

 

There is no magic wand to wave, there are no secret formulas to devise, and there are no acts of Congress that will solve our problems.  Then Lord, what  shall we do?

 

There is HOPE if we BEGIN AGAIN.  When we receive the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion whichever terms you use, we have confessed our sins and we have been forgiven. Then, we BEGIN AGAIN.

 

Each time we awaken from our hours of sleep we know that yesterday is over, but often carry the weight of yesterday into today.  We are much better off if each day we BEGIN AGAIN as we have confessed our sins in our prayers and not not carry them with us into the next day.

 

In the coming days, weeks, months and I hope, years, whatever time God allows me on Earth before He calls me into His Heavenly Kingdom, I hope to write many, many RAMBLING THOUGHTS and RAMBLING DEVOTIONS under the title of BEGIN AGAIN.  While these will all be posted on the web site, http:ramblingsfromron.com, I would hope that you would e-mail me and ask me to send you either the THOUGHTS, the DEVOTIONS or both at the time they are written and posted:   ron@ramblingsfromron.com.

 

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod has long used this wonderful slogan for their radio broadcasts --  “Bringing Christ to the Nation, the Lutheran Hour.”  Please write to me and request that I send you these THOUGHTS, DEVOTIONS, or both so that you and I can BEGIN AGAIN to follow God’s lead to ‘Bring back the Nation to Christ.”

 

These topics are subject to change but for now I plan to write things that would fit under:

 

·        Let God be God.

·        Let God’s Word be God’s Word.

·        Let the Church be God’s Church.

·        Let the Pastor be God’s Servant among you.

·        Let God’s people be God’s people.

·        Let me be who God wants me to be.

 

GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

 

 

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS

 

“Stand Up, Stand Up or Jesus” is a hymn that most Christians know and have sung many times.  When there is Christian humor on the internet or in  magazines you have probably seen the one line humorous question, “When we sing Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, why are sitting down?

 

As that one liner floated around there were some people who took it seriously and decided to do something about it.  Now there are congregations where people always stand when singing this loved hymn.

 

While  it is right that we stand while singing any song of prayer or praise to our Lord, we miss the point of this hymn if all we do is stand instead of just sit.  Let the words of the hymn flow through your mind.  Look them up if you can’t remember them. You will discover that this is not a “stand still” hymn, it is a hymn of  action.

 

To “Stand Up” for Jesus means to become a part of the battle against the powers of evil as we take a stand for what God leads and directs us to do.  It is important to note that it is what God wants, not simply what we want. We need to pay attention to this important verse from the hymn

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.

 Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;

Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

 

If we are going to do this, we must first understand that we are flesh, that we are weak and that we easily yield to the pressures of Satan.  Because of this, we need to put on that Gospel armor as St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 starting at verse 10. It is simple. Have a daily Bible reading time and throughout the day, talk to God in short prayer and thoughts.  Whatever situation you face, don’t face it until you have seriously prayed this prayer. “God, what should I do?”  The more Gospel armor you put on as you read and meditate on God’s Holy Word, and the more you are in prayer about it, the stronger you will become as you Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.

 

Did you realize that physically standing eliminates those who are bedfast, in wheel chairs, have lost one or both legs or just too weak to stand?  To really Stand up for Jesus can be done by everyone, for everyone can pray.

 

GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

07/22/09

 

 

IT WAS HARD TO SEE,

EVERYTHING WAS BLURRY

 

The rain was falling once again as I was driving to Defiance for my crossword and coffee time at the Mall.  As the windshield wipers kept the vision clear, I was thinking about the already flooded cities and roads in our area.                                                                                                                                                 

When I parked and began to drink my coffee, I watched the rain water flow from the roof of the car and down the windshield.  It was not a hard rain, but enough so that when I looked at the large signs on the wall of the mall it was hard to see what the words were as the water flowing down the windshield made everything blurry.  Of course I had seen the words so often that I knew what they were.  Nonetheless, it was a good feeling when I would start the car and the wipers would clear the window and the words were again readable.

 

Isn’t that similar to our walk in faith?  Here it is not the water flowing from the roof of the car, it is sin that blurs our vision and leads us away from seeing clearly the Living the Word of God.   One of the many sins that could apply is one that I deal with daily and maybe you do also. It is the sin of thinking that I am more important than I really am.

 

In our relationships with other people how often do we think and act as if we are better than they are?  How often do we need to hear the Words of Jesus through the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican?  If you recall, they both went up to the temple to pray.  The poor Publican fell to his knees admitting that he was a poor sinner and sought forgiveness from God.  The Pharisee, who knew God’s Word, had his eyes of faith blurred by his self importance as he prayed, “Thank God, I am not a sinner like that man.”

 

Self importance does not only make us blurry as we relate to other people, it also blurs our allegiance to God. In today's society, as we wander farther and farther away from following God’s Word, our faith becomes even more blurred when we take the ways of the world and convince people 

 

  that they are okay,

 

*    that God will understand, 

 

*    that God really won’t care.

 

And all kinds of excuses so that we can twist and turn God’s Word to rationalize 

 

*    that God really did not mean what He said, 

 

*    that God really said that only for people long ago, 

 

*    that we are so far removed from the time of Jesus that science and technology has changed everything.

 

As sin attacks us from every side, 

 

*     as more and more Pastors and Laity place themselves before others and before God, 

 

*     as sin flows over our eyes of faith and even the bright lights of the beckoning brilliance of Life Eternal begin to grow dim as we look toward our future.

 

Don’t give up.  Just as the sign on the wall became clear when I turned the windshield wipers on, the starting of your spiritual wipers in the form of reading God’s Word and Prayer can and will lead us to Jesus who wipes away the blurring sin of those who truly repent and return to Him.

 

Then, and only then, can we clearly see, hear and follow these inviting Words of Jesus, “Come, follow Me.”

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/02/09

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE EASTER EGG


Hi.  Can you hear me? I know that you can’t see me because I am hiding. A little while ago an adult took me and several other Easter Eggs and hid us one by one. It won’t be long before some children arrive and with laughter and excitement will begin to hunt for us. Before they come to begin to look for us, i want to tell you something about me. I do this because when we were being decorated, someone asked what the egg had to do with Easter? I thought that if I told you the story of my life, it might help to answer that question.

I was born a couple of weeks ago in a comfortable nest in a small chicken coop. Mom told me that I was lucky to be born here as she had heard the stories of the large corporate chicken houses. She said that thousands of chickens would be in one house. Each hen would only have a few feet of space and would never be allowed out of the space for any kind of exercising. They could not scratch in the dirt and would never have the joy of finding an insect or a worm to eat. The only thing they could do was lay egg after egg after egg. It would not be long after the egg was laid that someone would come along, gather the eggs, and put them in large boxes to be shipped away.

Here where I was born, I noticed that the other hens would jump down from the nest and go to the fenced in yard where there would be food to eat and water to drink. It sure looked like they were having fun as they scratched around in the dirt looking for that worm. There might even be a small fight if two saw a worm at the same time and did not want to share. All this time, the old rooster strutted around the area, crowing the message of how great he was and always trying to make a good impression on the hens.

I asked mom why she did not jump down and join in the fun? She told me it was because she wanted something special for me. She wanted to stay on the nest to keep me warm in the hope that I might be able to do the greatest thing that an egg can do. I said, “What is that?” She told me it would be to give up my life as an egg so that a new life could begin and a little chick would come forth when it was big enough to break open the egg shell. I had trouble understanding why I would want to give up my comfortable life as an egg in order to give new life to a newly born chick. She said that it is just the way it is.

Well, that never happened to me. It wasn't long before the farmer came and chased mom off the nest, picked me up and put me in a basket. I was afraid. Mom and I hadn't talked about this, and I did not know what was going to happen. As mom was chased away, she hurriedly told me not to be afraid because the farmer and his family were good people and would treat me well.

She was right. They took the basket to the farm house where a kind lady gently picked me up. Then with some nice warm water she gave me a bath, dried me off and placed me in a container where there was enough room for 12 of us.

It was not long before there was a knock at the door. After the farmer's wife talked to the people for a few minutes, she came and picked up the 12 of us and gave us to the people at the door. The people had given her some money, but I don't know what for.

The people took us to their home and placed us in this cool big box for a few days. I think they called it a refrigerator. Then they took us out and put us in some water. The water became very hot and soon everything inside of me became very hard. I was not sure what was happening. After I cooled off, some children took me and put something on me. I don’t know what it was but you should have seen how pretty we were. They used all kinds of colors and decorations on us. Such a proud group of 12 eggs we were. Now here I am hiding and waiting to bring some joy to the child who sees me and shouts happily, ‘I found one, I found one.”

Just one more thing. While they were decorating me, I heard them talking about Easter and someone named Jesus. They said this Jesus gave up His Life and died on a Cross so that those who believed in Him could rise to a New Life. That’s just what mom was telling me about. If the farmer had left me in the nest I might have also given up myself and given new life. So, I guess that is what the Easter Egg has to do with Easter.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

WHO CHANGED THE RULES? --  PART 2
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
 

In the first part of this series of THOUGHTS on “Who Changed the Rules” I asked the question, “Was it God or  man?”  I also explained why God changed the rules that He did, but I did not offer an explanation as to why man changed the rules.


You may wonder why I would be so concerned about these rule changes.  It is simply because we are clearly told in the Bible that we are not to change or delete any of the Word of God.  God also tells us, and His Son, Jesus, reaffirms this, in His own Words, “If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments.”  Since that is what is written and since vast numbers of people express a faith in God, then HOW DID IT HAPPEN? 


Before we ask the HOW, we need to ask the WHY?  Why could it happen?  It could happen because the majority of people who call themselves Christians do not open a Bible other than possibly at their Worship Service.  It is likely that an even greater number never offer a prayer other than at Worship or by using a memorized prayer that they can do quickly before they eat or go to sleep. If we do not have a daily hunger and thirst for God’s Word and for talking with Him in Prayer throughout each day, this then is WHY these changes have been able to take place.  We have no defense when Satan attacks, yet God has been and is still willing, to provide all of the defense that we need to live in His Love if we call on Him.


Now for the HOW. Observing nature it can be seen how change can come about without anyone noticing that it is happening.  If you have a small pin hole size opening near the corner of  your gutter, when it rains the water will drip, drip drip until the gutter is dry.  If there is bare ground below, it isn’t long before the drips erode a path for the water to move down the even slightest incline.  To take this one step higher, in the mountains it is easy to find large rocks at the base of the sheer steep side of the mountain.  If the rain or snow melt has dripped down on this rock, chances are quite good that you can see where, drip by drip, that water has eroded a path or a hole in the rock over the years.


This is how the rules were changed.  Throughout history there are and were many controversial issues both in the Church and in Society that were based on the Word of God. It only took one person (one drip) to say that really can’t be wrong; look at what is good about it.  As another took up the cause and another, it was not long before the question of what does God think was no longer asked.  Instead, if society accepted it, it must be right.  After many years, what used to be wrong became right, and that’s how it changed.  God did not change the rules; man did.  Man changed the rules by not caring what God really said, or  if man did care, by not wanting to take a chance of being ridiculed for taking a stand on the Word of  God.


Are the Words of Jesus, “If you love me you will keep My Commandments” still valid today?


Part 3 coming soon.  “What can we do about it?”

GOD'S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

WHO CHANGED THE RULES? -- PART 1

GOD OR MAN?

 

I often think about this world in which we live and wonder why it is that with all of our intelligence, all of our talents, and all of our resources, our world is in the miserable shape that it is.

 

When I do this, two important questions come to my mind.  Why is it that some things that were “wrong” in the past are “right” today? AND, Why is it that some things that were “right” in the past are “wrong” today?  It follows that for each of these two questions we need to ask, “Who changed the rules?  God or man?”

 

Almost all Christians would agree that God did change some of the rules that He gave to the Children of Israel.  These were rules that were given concerning the way of life as they waited for the coming of the Promised Messiah.  Once Jesus was born as a man, suffered as a man, and sinless though He was, as a man died on the Cross for your sins and mine, these rules were no longer needed.

 

What about the following:

 

Why was it right to pray in schools, and now it is wrong?

 

Why was it right to display Biblical Pictures and quotes from the Bible in public places, and now it is wrong?

 

Why was it wrong for people to shop on Sundays and for retail stores to be open on Sundays, and now it is right?

 

Why was it wrong to take God’s name in vain and now it is common everyday practice and seems to be right?   

                

There are probably hundreds of examples that could be added to these four.  There is no doubt in my mind that in each of these four examples that man made the rules change.

 

The question that then should challenge us is, “Are we to follow the rules that were made by God or the rules that were changed by man?  My answer, to paraphrase Joshua, I will serve the Lord.

 

If you are troubled about some of these rule changes, then pray about them daily and ask God to help you follow Him and to help you to show others why these changes are not pleasing in the eyes of God.

 

If you are concerned about what you believe has been a rules change, send me an e-mail telling me what the change was and why you agree or disagree.  I will not use your name, but I will write a future RAMBLING THOUGHT concerning it.

 

I believe that man’s changes of the rules have led to the miserable shape our world is in. To get the world back in shape we need not count on nor wait for the government.  We simply need to get right and get with God.

 

GOD’S PEACE.   SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

I DIDN’T WANT TO EMBARRASS HER - -
MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE!
 

It was kind of a slow morning at the mall as I sat in my car at the back of the parking lot. It was my usual morning routine to sit there, drink my coffee and work on Crossword Puzzles. From where I park, when I look up I can see the main entrance to the mall and observe the people going in and out.

This morning I saw a friend come out of the mall. She was walking with a couple and when they reached the point where they would part to go to their cars, they stopped and visited a little more, as they probably had not concluded their conversation. Soon they parted and began to walk to their cars.

The couple got in their car and drove away, and my friend was walking the other direction toward hers. Then she stopped and looked and looked. She walked to the north for a couple of rows of parked cars, then she turned and started walking south. All of this time she had her key remote in her hand and was pushing the button that would flash her lights. Walk a few steps, push the button, walk a few steps, activate the button again. It took some time, but then I saw her pick up her pace, walk to her car, get in and drive away. Her car was parked one car away from the one that her friends got in and drove away.

As I watched, I had considered driving up to her and asking if she wanted to get in the car, and I would drive up and down the rows until she spotted the car. I decided that I did not want to embarrass her, so I just sat there and watched. Maybe I should have, as it would have saved her some time and removed the worry about if the car was still there or if it might have been stolen.


I didn’t think much about this at the time, but this afternoon it struck me that it could be a great teaching lesson.

Have you ever been in a group where a sex filled joke was told and you wanted to object but didn’t because you did not want to embarrass the person? Maybe you should have.

Have you ever been in a group where someone was using a great vocabulary of swear words or was taking God’s Name in vain and then said, excuse my language. Did you excuse them because you didn’t want to embarrass them? Maybe you should have.

Have you ever been with someone who was sharing hate filled thoughts about another person or people of different race, nationality, social standing, or religion? Did you keep quiet and not respond because you did not want to embarrass your friend? Maybe you should have.

Do you get the idea? How many times each week do we see or hear something to which we should respond as God would want us to. Take a chance on embarrassing someone if your action can lead them to walk and live as God would have them do.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

IS SATAN ACTIVE IN YOUR LIFE?

 

It may be a strange question to ask a Christian but each of us should daily ask ourselves, “Is Satan active in my life?”  It is often easy to identify sin and Satan in the lives of others.  When we do this, we are often like the Pharisee in St. Luke 18:9-14 (NKJV):   9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

We can become so caught up  in our own self righteousness that we allow Satan to have his own way in our lives.

 

We can easily cast blame on those who control the banking and mortgage industries and say that Satan filled them with greed and led them to steal from the people who are suffering economically today.  BUT, do we ask ourselves if Satan has led us to build up more individual debt than we should in our own desire for more and better things?

 

We can easily cast blame on leaders of business and industry for the loss of jobs as they have taken their work to places with lower wages and possibly less regulations.  BUT do we ask if Satan has led us to support these various disastrous decisions by convincing us to buy as cheaply as we can regardless of how it will continue to affect the employment outlook for others?

 

We can easily cast blame on the news media for reporting so many stories of people who have done wrong and so few about people who have done good. BUT do we ask if Satan has led us to remember and pass on stories of people who have done wrong and ignore those who have done good?  

 

We cannot ignore Satan for he is seeking to draw us away from the love of Christ by leading us to embrace the enticing lures of this sinful world.

 

Now is the time we must ask, Is Satan active in my life?

 

GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE. 

 

 

IMAGINEERING

 

Almost daily I sit in my car at the parking lot of the local mall.  I enjoy a cup of coffee and some time with my ever present Crossword Puzzle magazine. While I do this, I try to observe what is going on around me and allow God to speak to me through the simple things that happen every day.

 

Recently a pick up truck passed by.  On the door was the usual painted information about the business that the driver of the truck either owned or  was an employee.  I don’t remember the name of the business; I just recall seeing the word ‘IMAGINEERING.”  The word intrigued me and led to thoughts about how much this was needed in the life of each Christian.

 

I  did a Google Search of the word and much to my amazement discovered more references than I would ever want to look up.  The main reference seemed to be Walt Disney Imagineering.  All of a sudden I knew what the word meant  and could not believe that Christanity has not taken hold of such a fabulous concept.

 

Imagineering is allowing your imagination free range on any problem, project, or even a dream.  We know what it has produced for the Disney Entertainment Empire.  For those who watch “Extreme Makeover, Home Edition,” we see what imagination has done to meet the needs of each family and each member of the family.  Many wonderful things have been created by people who have been given limited information about what was needed, or maybe just a general idea of something that is wanted.

 

There is no doubt about it that IMAGINEERING has been used to attain great results throughout the centuries.  But why has it not been used as an everyday tool by Christians?  Some would say that it has been and point to the new forms of worship through dance or through providing an entertainment value to draw people in the doors.  People can say that they enjoyed themselves, that they had a good time, that the music had their feet tapping, or that the crowd in the mega church--along with the moving music--and the powerful preaching found them to be wrapped up in what was going on. When they left, were they any different than when they entered?  My  guess is that more people talk and think about an exciting sporting event or a movie or  television program for many more days than they do a church service.

 

I don’t propose IMAGINEERING as something that every church, or even any church should do.  I do propose that it is something that every Christian should do.

 

Where are you now in your Christian Life?

 

Do you think that you need to know more about the Bible? 

 

Are there things that take place in your daily life that are not pleasing to God?

 

Do you have a friend who needs some help in his or her walk with God and maybe doesn’t realize it?

 

Are there laws where you live that  are contrary to the Word of God?  Be careful here to be sure that they are contrary to God and not just to your personal opinion.

 

What a difference it would make in our lives and in our world if people would look at a challenge or a problem and take it to God in prayer, seeking His Guidance as they seek to IMAGINEER the solution.

 

Don’t stop there.  When you IMAGINEER, then become an ACTIONEER.  This is simple to do.  Just put U in the ACTIONEER and become an AUCTIONEER  and sell your IMAGINEERING to others.

There is no better time than today to begin your career in IMAGINEERING for Christ.

 

GOD’S PEACE.   SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

WAS YOUR PRAYER  ANSWERED TODAY?


People have a lot of questions about prayer.  Does God really hear our prayer?  When I pray, why don’t I receive an answer?  Is it right to pray for miracles?  Is it right to pray for material wealth or objects?


The answers to these and many other similar questions are found in the Words of Jesus in St. John 14:12-14, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (NKJV).


There are three important steps here:


1.  BELIEVE - We must believe that Jesus means what He says.


2.  WE MUST DO - Belief is only real when we do what we believe.  As an example, we might believe that a chair is for us to sit on, but if we never sit on it, no matter how tired we might be, the chair will not serve the purpose we say we believe it will.


3.  IN HIS NAME - We can only stand before God with our requests  when we come in the Name of Jesus.  In some old movies when a person wanted to be admitted to a private club, they would knock on the door.  When someone would respond, they would say “Joe sent me.”  When we come before the door of God, we say. “Jesus sent me.”


If we truly believe, we will have no problem asking in His Name.


Try this. There is a prayer that is often referred to as the common Table Prayer, “Come Lord Jesus, be Thou our Guest and let these gifts to us be blessed.   AMEN.”  There is another prayer that is often sung,  It begins,“Be present at our table, Lord.”  When you have concluded either of these prayers and look up in preparation for eating, do you sense the Presence of the Lord there with you at your table?


If you do feel His Presence, then you can also be confident that God hears and answers every prayer.  When we believe in Him, when we walk In His Steps, and when we do all that we do in His Name, then we not only feel but also rejoice, in His Presence, not only at our table, but in every aspect of our lives, no matter where that might be.  As we grow in our Faith we will also grow in our confidence that God does hear and answer every prayer.


GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

1/31/09

 

THE HAWK WAS IN THE TREE


So often we can learn so much to strengthen our faith just by observing and thinking about God’s Creation and creatures.  I want to share with you what I saw today and how it reinforced my faith.


As I sit here in front of my iMac screen, if I look over the screen or to either side there is a window with a view of a tree a few feet from the window and beyond that to miles of farmland.  Most of the time I pay attention to the tree and the birds that gather there for the food that my wife puts there for them.  Many different species gather there day after day.


Today when I looked, there was a hawk in the tree. The roosting hawk looked so proud and regal.  The head of the bird moved ever so slightly to the right and to the left.  I could almost hear the hawk thinking, “Where did all of those tasty birds go?” Of course I knew that as soon as the birds sensed the hawk coming, they flew away to their shelter and safety.  The birds were no longer there, so the hawk flew away, probably knowing that there would be many more opportunities to capture the birds or other unsuspecting prey.


As I thought about the birds and the hawk, I began to see myself as the bird and Satan as the hawk. As a child of God, I flit around aware of the presence of Satan in the world.  Sometimes I am having a good time until I realize that Satan is about to swoop down upon me.  As the birds flee to the shelters, I have the opportunity to flee to the safest shelter there is, “Safe in the arms of Jesus” to quote the title of that old familiar hymn.


Like the birds, I will leave my shelter and Satan will be ready to challenge me again. Here is the big difference: There will be a time when the hawk will catch and kill the bird.  Satan does and will catch me from time to time, but he cannot destroy me.  When we face temptations, and when Satan challenges us, what a Blessing to have in our minds this verse written by Martin Luther in his hymn, A MIGHTY FORTRESS (From cyberhymnal.org).


That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

1/21/09

 

THANK YOU, MITCH ALBOM
THANK YOU, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Normally I do not use this space to highlight magazine articles, but this article is very important, in my opinion.  I extend my thanks to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED not only for publishing the article, but also for making available seven pages of the January 12, 2009 issue.   (click here to read article)

Mitch Albom is known to many of you for his daily talk show on WJR in Detroit, for his writing as a Columnist for the Detroit Newspapers and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, and for his well received books such as “TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE.” 

The article carries the title, “THE COURAGE OF DETROIT.”  This is not a Sports article, even though there are references to sports. This is the thoughts of a man who loves the city in which he lives and his desire to give hope to those who also love Detroit.  He responds in a positive way to the many negative comments about Detroit. He talks about the Detroit that used to be and his desire to see a new and vibrant Detroit arise out of the gloom of the City of today.

I encourage you to try to find and read this excellent article.  It is my hope that you will be able to see that many of the Detroit problems are the same as in whatever village, town, city, state, or nation in which you might live.  But even more than that, there are also many similarities to be found in the way that people look at our church, and, yes, even our faith.

There is no doubt that faith is being attacked from all sides today just as the City of Detroit is being attacked. We dare not face this with apathy.   We must recognize the many ways the place where we live, the place where we worship, and even our faith is being attacked.  Once we recognize this, we cannot just drop it.  We recognize it and then say, to quote Mitch Albom, “and yet.”
Then we take it to God in prayer asking that He would reveal to us and lead us to move forward in the “and yet” He has for us.

GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.



Mitch Albom's article The COURAGE OF DETROIT is located on this website: 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/the_bonus/01/07/detroit/index.html

 

 

TRY PUTTING SOME SUGAR ON IT 

One of the joys of the Parish Ministry was being included as a part of so many families and their activities. With our families being in Iowa and Nebraska it was a good feeling when people would invite this Pastor, my wife and our four children to be with them. The food was always excellent and plentiful and many memories of those good times are often replayed in my mind.

 

Flip and Arlene and their three daughters invited us to join them for a meal.  Of course we were delighted to accept. This took place about 45 years ago and I am not sure what Arlene served for the meal with the exception of  one item.  There was a  large bowl of cottage cheese that was being passed. Arlene noticed that I did not take any, so she asked about it.  I told her that I just did not like cottage cheese.  Arlene was not one to take a No, when there was a possible, Yes.  She said, “Try putting some sugar on it.”   

 

Since I wanted to be polite and not offend her, I did take some and I did put some sugar on it.  I  have been eating cottage cheese with sugar ever since as it was really good.

 

Possibly the fact that I use sugar to make the cottage cheese taste better can be helpful in your Bible reading and study. Some people just don’t like to read and study the Bible.  They say that they can’t understand it, or that so many things in the Bible go against their way of  life.  In other words, they don’t like the taste of it when God’s Word enters their minds and their lives. 

 

If you are one of those, pause for a moment and think about the Cross.  A Cross standing alone, on far hill, may have little meaning.  A Cross that is  decorated with flowers may have little meaning other than the beauty or the aroma of  the flowers. Neither of the above say much to us. Like my cottage cheese, they need sugar. In this case the sugar is Jesus.  When we can see, in our minds, the vision of  Jesus on that Cross, all of a sudden it can have real meaning.  We can envision the suffering that Jesus endured for each “me” that sees the Christ on the Cross.  It  is Jesus that gives the Cross meaning for our lives.

 

All too often we read God’s Word alone. We need to add the sugar.  We need to ask the Presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as we read and study.  What a difference it makes when we read something that we don’t like; something that interferes with our lives. If we read the Holy Word alone, we can rationalize and feel that it is okay if we disagree or do not accept it. BUT, when we have invited God to be with us through His Holy Spirit enlightening us, that is like sugar and cottage cheese, so much better.  We can immediately ask for help, not only in understanding, but also for living the Word we have just read.  A little child has no problem remembering the things the parents have told him or her not to do; that is, they have no  problem remembering when the parents are in sight.  But what happens when the parents are out of sight? 

 

Inviting the Presence of God in everything we do, think, or say will make a major improvement in your life as God’s Word will have such a better taste.

 

I will continue to  put sugar on my cottage cheese.  By the way, I put sugar on my hash brown potatoes as well.  I don’t ask you to do that. I do pray that you will add the sweetness of the Presence of God each time you read His Word and in each moment of your day.

 

GOD’S  PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

1/05/09

 

THE FRUITCAKE AND THE BIBLE


No, this is not one of those far out thoughts where someone tries to show that a fruitcake reveals something about the Bible. It is simply that I love fruitcakes, and I think that there is something we can learn about some relationships with the Bible as we think about fruitcakes.

As I said, I love fruitcakes. I am just about to finish eating my first two pound fruitcake of the season. They are SO GOOD, and I don’t understand why so many people don’t like them. I suppose that some don’t like the fruit pieces and others may be allergic to the nuts. I am sure that some don't like the taste, but I have a feeling that a large number who say they don’t like fruitcake have never tried them, or they tried a taste many years ago and never tried any again. I understand about those with allergies, but for the others, it is a shame that they are missing out on something so good.

Thinking about why people don’t like fruitcakes led me to this comparison with the Bible. There are probably more unused, untouched and untasted Bibles in our homes than there are fruitcakes. Why are they unused? The words of Scripture are SO GOOD, and I don’t understand why so many people don’t like them. Some are probably allergic to the Bible. No, they don’t break out in a rash, and they don’t become ill. The allergic reaction seems to be in the guilt that comes from reading about what Jesus would have them do. Some don’t like the taste. When they read of God calling them to His Love, they don’t like the taste of turning their backs on the alluring and exciting temptations of their world. Some say that they read it many years ago and did not enjoy it enough to try it again. Or, they could not understand it, so why keep on trying something that you don’t understand and, therefore, don’t like?

Yes, there are those who truly love to spend time reading the Bible and meditating on the words they have read. Maybe you are like me and can’t understand why people reject the reading of the Bible on a daily basis. I hope you can see the comparison that I see between the Bible and the fruitcake.

Now, just one question for you.  If you enjoy eating fruitcake and reading the Bible and if you don’t understand why people don’t like fruitcake and/or don’t read the Bible on a daily basis, what is easier for you: to offer a friend a piece of fruitcake or to offer to them your help in reading and understanding the Bible?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 


12/12/08

WAIT A MINUTE - IS THAT A VALID COMPLAINT?
 

A few weeks ago I received a phone call that made me very, very happy. The person calling wanted to make an appointment to deliver my new power wheel chair.  I was elated. The process of getting Medicare approval began in early April and was finally completed in mid-September. We agreed that the chair would be delivered two weeks from the day I received the call.

The chair was delivered as promised and the technician took all of the time that was needed to explain every aspect of the chair and answer all of my many questions.

I was enthused when the technician left, but the enthusiasm soon turned to disappointment and complaints. Some things that I thought would be easier, became more difficult. The new chair was not as comfortable as the old one. As the day progressed, my unhappy list grew.

After a good night of sleep, as I awoke the next morning, there were some ideas floating in my mind about what I might be able to do to correct some of the problems. I acted on one of them, and within an hour I had solved the major problem that I had in transferring from the chair to the bed or the bathroom stool.  Over the next three days, there came an answer to each major problem that I had encountered with the new chair. In one way or another, God led me to discover the answers that were there but I could not understand because of my frustration and disappointment.

You might think that at this point I would be satisfied, but I was not. There were little things that I was able to do in the old chair that I could not do anymore, so I continued to complain about the new chair.

I am so thankful that one day as I was thinking about the new chair, I realized that I now had exactly what I had asked for. I had prayed for and asked for a chair that would enable me to transfer to areas at different heights and would be solid and strong enough to give me the greatest amount of safety when transferring.  As I thought about what I had asked for and realized what I had, I had to say to myself, “Wait a minute, do I have a valid complaint?” Of course, I had to be honest and say, "No, I don’t, my complaint is not valid. I have received everything that I asked for."

Isn’t our life of faith so often like that? The Bible is full of examples. The most famous of these might be the Children of Israel in captivity in Egypt. They wanted to be free from the oppressions of Pharaoh. God freed them, but they were not satisfied, they wanted more, so they complained against God.
How about you in your life? Think about the times you complain. Is your complaint valid? Are you one who always forgets to be thankful for receiving what you asked for, because you always want more?

Take a minute right now to thank God for the Blessings you have received today.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 


11/03/08

HERE I STAND

There was a time when many Lutherans and people of other denominations could tell you who spoke the words, HERE I STAND. Today if you do an online search for those words you will find several listings of recent use. In fact in the first couple of pages the only thing that you will find that relates to Lutherans is the title of a book by Roland H. Bainton.

“HERE I STAND” is the title that Dr. Bainton chose for his outstanding biographical work of the life of Martin Luther. The book has many pages that take us through the Life of Luther. One major event in the life of Luther was where he stood before his accusers who demanded that he retract of his teaching or face possible death. After years of prayer and struggle, described in the book, Luther could not go back on what he believed had been revealed to him through God’s Holy Word. He refused to retract. Then he said, “Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture ... I cannot and will not retract ... Here I stand, I can do no other. So help me God, Amen."

My purpose in this Thought is not to review the Reformation, but to ask the questions, “Where do you stand?” and “On what do you stand?”

In recent years there has been a tendency to water down the Word of God in order to make the Church more acceptable to the masses. In my opinion, it has not worked. Instead it has played a great role in undermining the faithful teachings of the past.

I have had people tell me that they hear different teachings on the same subject from different sources. They ask, “What shall I believe?” My response usually is, ‘What does the Bible say?”

That is not what they want me to say, they want an answer so if the subject comes up again they can say, “Pastor said........”  I want them to go to the Solid Rock of God’s Word and struggle with the issue. Then they can say God said or Jesus said. And because after this struggle to find the answer that God said or Jesus said, they can also say, “Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture ... I cannot and will not retract ... HERE I STAND, I can do no other. So help me God, Amen."

“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.


10/04/08

THE SILVER DOLLAR COIN AND CHRISTIANS

I am so thankful for the many people from other countries that visit my web site. I apologize that I often use illustrations that are understandable to people in the United States of America but may not be to others. In today's Thought there is such an illustration relating to the coins in the American monetary system. If at any time you can’t understand what I am trying to say, please e-mail me and I will be happy to respond as I hope that God’s people, wherever they live, can find some assistance in their Life in Christ from these Thoughts.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the Silver Dollar was a common coin. They were just as much a part of the cash that people carried with them as the paper dollars of today. Many people today have never seen a Silver Dollar, and those who have would wonder how a person could carry enough of them to the store to pay for their purchases. Here we have to try to realize how many items could be paid for with a dollar and even get some change back. As prices rose, my guess is that these dollars became too heavy for people to carry the number they would need to make their purchases.

Several years ago the United States Treasury began to issue new one dollar coins. After the first new coins were circulated and were not well received by the public, I thought that would be the end of these dollar coins. I was wrong. Since then, additional dollar coins honoring different people have been minted and circulated. It is my opinion that the only people interested in these coins are the coin collectors and people who want one just to have one and not for spending. Each person who collects one or more of these coins is in effect loaning the government one dollar per coin. In reality it is a non-interest loan and has a high percentage of never being cashed in.

What does the Silver Dollar have to do with a Christian? I believe there is a strong similarity and a lesson for Living the Christian Life. In the day when the Silver Dollar stood out from other coins because of its size and the purchase power that it had, so also the Christian stood out. The Christian stood out, not because of what he or she could buy, but for what he or she could give. The Pastors were respected, the lay leaders of the Church were intent on fulfilling the Mission of God right where they were. In those days it was the Church, that is the Pastors, the lay leaders and all of the members, who were the providers of hospitals, nursing homes, homes of Mercy, care of the needy, the orphans, the widows, and the elderly. In many cases, it was also the Church, the Christians, who were the founders of many of the important and prestigious colleges and universities of today as well as a multitude of smaller educational institutions that continue to educate many. More important than the dollars provided for these ministries were the hours and hours of Christian Service freely and gladly given by many individuals.

Unfortunately the same thing happened to the Christian that happened to the Silver Dollar.

As the Dollar purchased less and less and more dollars were needed, they became too heavy. As fewer and fewer people kept up the commitment to fulfill their ministry, the burden became too heavy.

The Government provided the paper dollar to relieve the burden and the government slowly but surely took over many of the ministries of Christians, supposedly to relieve their burden.

After several years the Silver Dollar evolved into new dollar coins that were smaller in size. The problem was that at a casual glance you could not tell the difference between the dollar and the quarter. So many Christians also evolved to the point that they are so similar in their actions that you can’t tell the difference between a church member and a non believer.

 

Businesses did not like the new dollars because of the similarity to the quarters and the fact that their new cash drawers had no place for the additional denomination of coins. The world of greed and service to self has no place for the Christian who is not liked because they stand on God’s Word and are opposed to so many things that others have made their god.


Probably the saddest comparison is that both the Dollar coin and the Christian are seldom seen in public. The dollar coins that are owned by people are hidden in drawers and far too often the glimmer of faith in the lives of some people is also hidden so that others might not see it.

THERE IS HOPE. The dollar coins are still worth a dollar and can be used to make a purchase. The faith in your life can still be used to make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others. We dare not worry about what others do, we are responsible to God for what we do for Him. May we do like Jesus. In St. Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV), He read these words from Isaiah. “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me. Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Before you say, Yes, Lord, this is what I want to do in my life as a Christian, take time to turn to St. Luke 4 and read the verses that follow. It is my prayer that after you have read the remainder of Chapter 4 that you will still want to be the Christian that God has called you to be and no longer the Christian that seems to be no different than any other person.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.


09/09/08

THE TWO RED SEAS

As I was writing a Devotion on Deuteronomy 10 and talked about the Parting of the Red Sea, a new thought came to me.  Maybe you have thought about this before. For me, it was another example of how the Old Testament is vital to helping understand the New Testament.


I am not sure about today, but in years past every Sunday School student learned about Moses, the captivity of the Children of Israel in Egypt, the ten plagues that finally led Pharaoh to Let God’s People Go, and then the story of the Parting of the Red Sea.

When Moses and the people arrived at the Red Sea, they saw that they were trapped, there was no way to cross, and the armies of Pharaoh were close behind to capture them and take them back to the slavery in Egypt.  We know what happened. God told Moses what to do and Moses did it. The waters of the Red Sea parted and amazingly the sea bottom was so that the Children of Israel could safely cross.  Once they were safe, the waters of the Red Sea came back together just as the Egyptian Army was making their crossing.  They were all destroyed.

When we remember this story, we remember that God led the Children of Israel to safety but we don’t often talk about the destruction of the enemy.  This destruction of the enemy is very important as we think about our Life in Christ.

As the Children of God we are under the slavery of Sin.  We live in an age where so many people no longer care about promises and the commands of God.  Many Clergy, Educators and Theologians have found ways to convince us that deeds that were sins yesterday are no longer sins today.  As the generations continue, I believe that we can find today and will continue to discover that people would react in disbelief if they were told that God did not approve of the sinful way they led and live their daily life.

The children of Israel were in slavery to Pharaoh.

The Children of God today are in slavery to sin.

God sent Moses to lead the the people to freedom from their slavery.

God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the Cross to free us from our sins.

The Children of Israel began to forget their freedom and would have fallen into captivity again, but God parted the Red Sea and the enemy was defeated.

The Children of God so often forget the freedom they have through the death of Jesus on the Cross and that it was the Red Sea of the Blood of Jesus that washed away our sins.

There are two Red Seas.  Both gave freedom. Both destroyed the enemy.

There is one more possible similarity.  The Children of Israel soon forgot the goodness of God and returned to their sinful ways.  Not one of them made it to the Promised Land.  Will you, will I remember or forget?  Will you, will I, remember and make it to the Promised Land of Eternal Glory?

I pray that I will remember daily all that God has done for me and will seek to do all that He asks me to do.  I pray that you will do the same.


GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 


09/04/08

 

MY COFFEE POT DID NOT WORK


It may seem odd, but we have two coffee pots on the counter at all times. There is a reason for this and it is not because my wife drinks Decaf and I prefer regular. Years ago we needed a new coffee pot as ours suddenly quit working. The store where we made the purchase did not have many in stock as they were awaiting a new shipment. The one we purchased was, and is, a good coffee pot but it did not have the timer to automatically turn on in the morning. This was not a problem, but we often said that it would have been nice on those mornings when things became rushed as we were preparing to leave for the work of the day.


The next Christmas we received an automatic pot from one of the kids and it was great.  As wonderful as it was, there was still one problem. The gauge that indicated how much water you put in the reservoir was inside the reservoir. Now that is fine unless you are in a wheelchair and can’t see inside. Therefore, when Jane is home we use the automatic and she fills it with the water.


The first time I made coffee after Jane left on a recent trip, I had the water in and turned the switch to ON. Nothing happened. I checked the water level. I checked to see if the the coffee basket was in correctly and I even gave the unit a tap. Nothing.  Now what would I do?  I even checked to make sure that it was plugged in. Yes, the white cord was plugged in. I was about to give up and make some Instant Coffee and then I remembered there should be two white cords plugged in. Sure enough, the end of the cord to the coffee pot was in a place where I could not see it. The air purifier was running fine. I plugged the pot in and instantly the fresh brewed coffee began to flow into the pot.


My life is sometimes like that and maybe yours is also. Does it seem like things are always going wrong? Do you feel like you can’t accomplish anything? Maybe you want to give up and just not do anything.


I have had those feelings many times and each time the same problem existed. I was not plugged in to God. Once I plugged in through prayer or just what I call God thinking or God talking, immediately His fresh brewed and freely given strength began to flow into me. Sometimes I wonder why it takes me so long to check the plug.


Make it a point to check several times a day to be sure you are plugged in to God and are nourished by the tremendous flow of His Love that enters your life.


GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE

 


08
15/08

LET’S TAKE A STAND--AND SUPPORT NATURE


In January I wrote the first of what I planned to be a series of LET’S TAKE A STAND articles. In that article I wrote against the high price of a cup of coffee. To be sure, that may be a minor issue when compared to other major problems today.

As I write this, the Newscasts are filled with stories of the devastating floods in Iowa and other States. There have been a far above average number of tornados bringing death and destruction. The memories of devastating hurricanes, cyclones, and tsunamis are still vivid in our minds. Earthquakes, mud slides, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions continue to be reported. All of these have claimed many thousands of lives and caused millions, if not billions, of dollars, in property destruction.

It is tragic that these things happen, but it is even more tragic that instead of doing something to prevent these disasters, we seem to be doing everything we can to encourage and increase them.

LET’S TAKE A STAND AND SUPPORT NATURE instead of continuing to destroy it. Let me hasten to say that this is NOT a statement about Global Warming. That is a subject that I will leave to the scientists as I certainly do not have the ability to understand what is going on in the atmosphere. This IS a statement about living in God’s Creation and being responsible caretakers of what God Created and called GOOD as He provided for our use.

In the 1960’s as I began my ministry in the rural village of Chatfield, Ohio, many farmers were clearing acres and acres of woods so that they might have more land to till and produce more corn, soybeans and wheat. The practice was coming to a close soon after we arrived in Defiance County, Ohio, in 1975. Just a few years later there were many farmers planting acres and acres of trees on land that had once produced crops. Those who were planting new wood lots had found that they needed the windbreak that the trees had formerly provided for them. This was not unlike what those who lived through the Dust Bowl Years experienced in the Midwest. It took some devastating times to discover that the trees and the grasses held the soil together, kept the winds manageable, and produced a great supply of oxygen. There are some excellent books written about the Dust Bowl Years, and I encourage you to read of this sometime forgotten part of American History.

A very simple way to TAKE A STAND AND SUPPORT NATURE is to take care of the trees that are on your property and if there is space, plant some more.  Maybe your church could use some more trees. What a perfect gift it would be In Honor of or In Memory of someone. Flower gardens, houseplants, and the well-cared for green grasses add beauty and oxygen for all to enjoy. Maybe you are the one that is needed to plant and care for a flower garden at your church. Some people find great joy in starting new plants from ones they have in their home or in their garden and then giving these plants to someone who loves flowers but either is not able to produce them or can’t afford to buy them. What joy the plants will give and often what a treat for some lonely person to have a plant to care for day after day.

I believe that God had a definite purpose in everything that He created, a definite way that His Creation would add to our lives. Let us thank God for the benefits we receive from His Creation of flowers and trees and do our part to be good caretakers of His loving gifts to us. LET’S TAKE A STAND AND SUPPORT NATURE.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 


06
18/08

ARE YOUR DEVOTIONS BORING?


Many people miss the great gifts that can be theirs if they do not approach their Devotional Time in the right way. As a result when people finish their Devotion for the day, it may be only a few minutes before they would not be able to tell you what they had read. Some have even said that what they read that day was kind of boring and there is no reason to remember what they had been reading.


In our Devotional time, we are in a conversation with God. When we are in conversation with others, we expect them to remember what we are talking about and they expect the same of us. If I have spent time in conversation I feel hurt if someone says he or she will do something and then does not. The same applies to the Devotional relationship with God and me and with God and you.


Here are some suggestions that might help your Devotion time become alive and memorable:

1. Have the materials that you need. This can be just a Bible if you are using the Through the Bible in a Year Program.


2. Have a pad of paper and pen or pencil to write down questions or thoughts that come to your mind. Reviewing your notes later can help you to recall and rethink your Devotion.


3. A dictionary will help you to understand words that are new to you. If you don’t know what a word means, it is possible that you will misunderstand what the Scripture says.


4 A quiet place for your Devotion time. No TV or radio to interrupt your thoughts. This can be done in your car. Get to work, school or an appointment early so that you can have your devotions in the quiet of your car.


5. Some people find it helpful to have their devotions with others. Some at the table before or following a meal. Some with friends over mid-morning coffee. Some with coworkers before work or at a break time. The discussion can be most helpful and the prayers for each other are so valuable.


6. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before you begin. Then read and pray with an open mind, You may not notice anything the first days or weeks but I believe that if you are sincere as you talk to God, you will feel God’s answers as the Holy Spirit works within you.


7. Approach your time of Devotion as something you want to do, not something that you HAVE to do. Devotion, by the meaning of the word, is something that is freely and joyfully given.


8. Ask others if they have a meaningful time of Devotion. If they say, YES, then ask what they do. If they say NO, you may have planted a seed for them to consider a Devotion time for themselves.

Devotions don’t need to be boring, they can be alive and exciting. Don’t do all the talking, all the demanding, give GOD a chance to talk to you. As the days and months go by, it is very possible that you will look back and ask yourself, “When and how did my life change for the better?”


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/17/2008

HAVE A POWERFUL PENTECOST!


When meetings were held in the days before Pentecost, our Bishop would always greet us with the words, HAVE A POWERFUL PENTECOST.  Then he would encourage us to do the same when we went back to our own congregations. It was the belief of Bishop Holle that if we are going to say Merry Christmas or Happy Easter, then it is important that we wish others a Powerful Pentecost.


This request was given to us over 25 years ago and to this day I have never heard anyone except Bishop Holle, wish another a Powerful Pentecost.  In fact, I have rarely thought about it myself.


Now with the Festival of Pentecost here again, I wonder if maybe  Bishop Holle was right and those of us who remained silent were wrong.  In fact, maybe so wrong that we have hindered people from realizing and responding to the HOLY SPIRIT.


In the calendar of the Church Year, the Season of Christmas goes from December 25 to January 6, Easter goes from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, about 50 days long, but Pentecost lasts from usual late May or very early June until Advent begins either the last Sunday in November or first Sunday in December.  It would seem to me that a Festival Season that lasts that long should have the same sense of importance as the others.


One other point.  The main action, that being the Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus have taken place in the Advent through Easter part of the Church Year.  The rest of the year is Pentecost and the Sundays of Pentecost. It is in this Season that we hear and learn of the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we hear the stories of the faith of those who have labored in God’s vineyards before us, and at the end of the Pentecost Season see the visions of the Heavenly Mansions where Christ the King awaits to return to receive unto Himself those who have believed in Him and in faith, kept His Commandments.


I wish you not only a POWERFUL PENTECOST, but also

the POWER of the Holy Spirit working within you.


the POWER of the Holy Spirit leading you in His Service.


the POWER of the Holy Spirit that will, at your request, lift you from the depth of sin to the height of forgiveness.


the POWER of the Holy Spirit that is freely given to those who believe.


the POWER of the Holy Spirit, what a gift. Have you accepted that gift, that POWER into your life?  If you have, then you know how important it is to lead another to the joy of having A POWERFUL PENTECOST.

GOD’S PEACE.   SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/11/2008

I WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY

 

I not only got stuck in the driveway, but the snow was so deep and soft that the wheels sunk way, way down and I could not even rock it back and forth.  Now, this may seem like a strange subject for the 9th of May when the grass is green and early flowers are in beautiful bloom. The thing is, I was in my “thinking room” this afternoon,  and all of a sudden I remembered this event that took place nearly 30 years ago.  (If you don’t know what a “thinking room” is, I will write a RAMBLING THOUGHT about it in the coming days).
 
Now, back to the story of what happened when I got stuck, followed by a question for your Life in Christ.  I was serving as the Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran and St. Mark’s Lutheran Congregations in Defiance County, Ohio.  A faithful member had passed away and on this evening I went to the Funeral Home in Napoleon to be with the family as they made the arrangements.  It had been snowing heavily that day, and I was happy to see the snowplows working on the country roads as the snow had stopped falling.
 
Normally it would take about 2 hours to make the arrangements. By 9 p.m., when I was on my way home, the roads were clear and the trip was uneventful.  That changed as I turned into my driveway.  The snow plow had been past and had done a good job on the road, BUT the snow was piled along the side of the road.   I had to give it a little extra to get through the snow left by the plow. The pile raised the front wheels as I traveled over it and when the back wheels came over I did not want to be going to fast and hit something, so as I slowed down, the wheels dropped into the deep snow and I went no farther.
 
At that time, I was not using a wheelchair, just a full leg brace and a cane for my post polio.  One thing I could not do was walk through deep snow without assistance.  But that was no problem because my family was home, and they would help me.  I honked the horn.  NO RESPONSE.  I had another idea.  I opened and closed the garage door and repeated that several times.  Certainly someone would hear the door open and close and wonder why dad did not come into the house.  NO RESPONSE.  There was a light on in the upstairs bedroom that looked out over the driveway.  I honked my horn again and flashed my lights dim to bright, repeating this several times.  At last, the heads of two of our sons appeared in the window.  They saw me.  They waved at me.  They left the window, and I knew they were going to tell my wife that I was stuck in the driveway.  I waited. NO RESPONSE.
 
I really did not know what to do next.  Then for the first time since I became stuck, there was a car coming down the road from Napoleon.  As the car turned, it then stopped on the road near where I was.  The late Paul Knape got out of the car and offered to help.  Paul was a neighbor and part of his farm was just across the road from the parsonage.  I knew that Paul was just on his way home from a Dialysis Appointment in Toledo and that he should not help.  So I asked if he would go home and call my wife, and tell her to look out in the driveway because I need help.  He called. She looked.  She called another neighbor.  He came with a tractor and pulled me out.  I drove into the garage and we lived happily ever after.
 
Now, the question  concerning your Life in Christ.
 
First of all, let me say that Nick and Pat thought I was just honking to let them know that I was home, and my wife did hear the garage door go up and down, and she thought I had just stayed in the garage to do a little work. If they had known I needed help, they would have been there immediately. We are all like that, ready to help when we see the need.  With that understanding, here is the question:
 
How often do you see someone who needs your help and you pass on by without knowing that need?
 
My guess is that each of us do it on a regular basis.  Pray that God would open your eyes and your hearts to see and hear the pleas for some help, for a friend, or for even a simple hello and a few minutes of conversation.
 
GOD’S PEACESEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

 

05/09/2008

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APRIL SHOWERS, MAY FLOWERS and WEEDS!

Here where I live, it seems like we have gone from Winter to Summer and have skipped Spring.  After weeks of cool weather and over abundant rains, the last few days the sun was bright and warm providing very comfortable early Summer temperatures.


Except for the always early small flowers that usher in the colorful moths of beauty in the flower garden, the only other signs of life were the green leaves emerging from the long winter nap beneath the soil.  With the sun warming the soil it will not be long before bulbs will send forth a vision of beauty and a fragrant aroma.

At the same time as the green of the flowers emerge, there are other seeds that have ended their winter rest, and various shades of green are observed in the brown soil. The ever watchful gardener will on a regular basis keep an eye on this green growth.  This growth comes from the same soil, but it is not a flower--it is a weed.  Once the weed is seen, the faithful gardener removes it so that it will not destroy the beauty of the flower bed.

While we give praise to the gardener for the beautiful, weed-free garden, we need to take a step back and see how we have failed in being gardeners for God.  God, in His chosen way, has provided the mother’s body as the haven for the life of a child to grow from conception until the child is ready for the world.  This would be the comparison to April Showers.  Under normal circumstances, when everything is ready, the baby bursts forth from the mother’s body as the flowers burst forth from the place of preparation in the soil.  This would be the May Flowers.

When it comes to the weeds, the similarity ends.  While the gardener works hard to get rid of them, the majority of people not only ignore, but also encourage, the growth of weeds in the lives of children today.  To be sure, we do a good job of health care, proper nutrition, keeping poisons out of the reach of children, teaching them to be polite, and so forth. 

The weeds of sin grow within and so often we do nothing to stop them.  For example:   I remember a young child letting loose with a string of swear words.  His mother apologized to the visitors by saying:  We try to tell him that is barn language, and he should not use it in the house.  No weeds were pulled, they were encouraged to grow.

I have known high school athletes who have been caught for under age drinking and being under the influence  Even though the rules say they should be suspended, the parents and athletic boosters gather together to overturn the rule, saying kids will be kids; they didn’t hurt anything.  The weeds were not pulled, they were encouraged  to grow.


In the above example, by overturning the suspension, the parents, athletic booster and school administration are say that winning the athletic event is the most important thing, not following the rules, not being responsible for your own behavior. The weeds were not pulled, they were encouraged to grow.

Yes, April Showers do bring May Flowers and the weeds are soon there.  The faithful gardener gets rid of he weeds before they take over the and choke out the flowers.

Yes, God’s Love showering upon you will bring forth the flowers of love and service.  The weeds of sin will soon follow and grow rapidly.  What kind of a gardener will you be?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

04/22/2008

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THE NCAA AND HOLY WEEK

 

You might think that I am going to blast the NCAA for scheduling games during Holy Week. Certainly I am not happy with the prospect of games being played on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.  Even so, I am not going to rant and rave about it.  In fact, maybe it is a good thing that the games are being played during these Holy Days as it is certainly a test of our faith.

 

Think about this.  What will your decision be as you are faced with the following questions?

 

On Thursday evening, will you be watching the games on your TV or will you be at your Church to hear again the words, "On the night in which he was betrayed, He took the Bread and broke it and gave it to them, saying, take and eat, this is My Body, given for you"?   And then will you hear, "Take and drink, this is My blood shed for you?"

 

On Friday, will you be watching the games on your TV at home or will you be at your church hearing again the SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS at a service that takes us to the OLD RUGGED CROSS.  If you have a Service of Darkness, will you experience the solemnity of the great Sacrifice as Jesus died for you? When you leave in silence will you allow that silence in which you leave worship to stay with you throughout the weekend until the JOYOUS NEWS of the Resurrection of Christ is proclaimed?

 

On Easter Sunday, if you live in an area where the games begin while worship services are being held, will you be at worship or in front of the TV? Additionally, when your family gathers for Easter Dinner, will conversation and reflections upon your worship that day be put aside, overshadowed by the game on TV?

 

The NCAA has done you a favor by presenting you this test. You have to make a choice. Will you Worship the Crucified and Risen Savior or the basketball game?

 

We daily have to face the challenge and the question that Joshua presented to his family.

 

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

03/19/2008

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IF GOD DIDN’T CARE


I was watching the Gaither Homecoming Hour on WLMB TV, a Christian Television Station, in Toledo, Ohio. On this program, Jake Hess was singing one of my favorites, “IF GOD DIDN’T CARE” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. If you would like to hear and see this favorite of mine, there is a free video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCGquKgYkfc

As these beautiful words describing things that we would not have, “IF GOD DIDN’T CARE” ran through my head, I began to think of other things that would also fit. I began to wonder how much we take for granted and forget the fact that we would not even have IF GOD DIDN’T CARE?

But even more than that, how much do we ignore, push aside, destroy, change to meet our needs and do not even think about the fact that God gave it to us because HE CARES?

This is troublesome to me. As I sit here writing these words, I can think of pages and pages of examples of how by ignoring and even destroying precious gifts that have come to us from a caring and loving God, we are slowly but surely destroying our lives, our communities, our churches and our world.

Think about this. It is very easy to put all of the multitude of examples under one simple concept. God has said, “If you love me, you will keep My Commandments.” If we love someone, we trust that person, so in like manner, if we love God, we trust Him. The Children of Israel said that they loved God when He sent Moses to lead them out of captivity and into the Promised Land. But THEY DID NOT TRUST HIM. God gave them the Ten Commandments because HE CARED. Even though they were physically present when Moses came down from the mountain with those Commandments, they did not trust God and they rejected them. And what a miserable life they had wandering through the wilderness, not realizing that they had rejected a great gift that God had given to them because HE CARED.

Today, we are much the same as those Children of Israel. We say we love God, but we don’t trust Him enough to understand that HE CARES about us so much that He gave us the Commandments. I believe that our lives and our world are in the captivity of fear, distress, and we are wandering aimlessly, as were the Children of Israel.

Please give this some thought. Please take time to share with me a thought on one single wrong in your life, your family or your community that has happened because God was not trusted enough to follow His Commandments. There is no doubt in my mind that God gave the Commandments because He Loved the Children of Israel and because He Loves you and me.

IF GOD DIDN’T CARE, He would have let His creation continue to wander aimlessly to their doom. But he did and does CARE. He did and does LOVE.

There would be no hope for me, no hope for you, no hope for the world, IF GOD DIDN’T CARE. What are you going to do?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

02/29/2008

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HAS PRESIDENT’S DAY LOST ITS MEANING?


Some years ago President’s Day was created by Congress. The observation of the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were combined into a celebration of all Presidents on the 3rd Monday in February.

It is my belief that President’s Day has lost its meaning. As we approached the Day this year, the greatest mention of the day was either the President’s Day Sales at most stores or the announcement that an office or business would be closed on President’s Day.  Interestingly, a local Bank is advertising that they are open and have special financial offers as well as free coffee from a Coffee Shop that shares the building. I am not sure what any of this has to do with President’s Day or any other holiday.

Driving in the car the other day, I scanned stations and for a few minutes listened to a talk show that I don’t care much about the host's stand on issues. In the few minutes I listened, the host made a statement about why he thought President’s Day came to be. He said it was the result of the powerful lobby of the ski industry. It was his belief that they lobbied for different winter holidays to be moved to Monday so there would be an extra day of work places closed and the people could go skiing. If that allegation is true, I am not sure what that has to do with observing President’s Day or any other holiday.

Most importantly, I often wonder how much children are missing because of President’s Day. Because of today's educational pressures that teachers teach so the students can pass the State required tests, there is not enough time to teach what used to be taught on the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington. How much have we lost because we no longer have the opportunity to learn the values of the legacy from Lincoln and Washington? It has nothing to do with values, but I do wonder how many fewer cherry pies are made at the time of Washington’s birthday?

There is one bright spot. There may be others but I know of at least one State that observes the federally mandated President’s Day and also observes as State Holidays the birthdays of both Lincoln and Washington.

Yes, I believe that President’s Day has lost its meaning. What a difference it might make if Congress would remove President's Day as a Federal Holiday and return to observing the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln on the actual dates of their birth.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

02/17-18/2008

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CALL WAITING


There are three kinds of Call Waiting. Two are used constantly and I don’t like either one of them. The third is ignored by most people and that is the one that I like.


The most popular one of the three is the only one that we pay for and it seems that is something people think no home should be without. That’s right, it is the Call Waiting feature of your telephone service. The reason I say that some people think that no home should be without it is that I have had some people become upset with me as they have called and received a busy signal. One person told me: "I called and got a busy signal; don’t you care about not knowing that I called? The man was offended because I chose not to pay a monthly fee just so I could take his call. I also think that call waiting leads to an act of rudeness. I really don’t like it when I am talking with someone and they tell me to wait because there is a call waiting, Are people too busy to call back later? When someone calls me, and we are talking, the person I am talking to deserves my full attention and should not have to wait while I see who is calling. One last negative. Call waiting is one of many, many low cost unnecessary services or items that many people use. If we took the combined sum of all of these expenses, what a difference we could make in the lives of those with needs far more important that having to dial again because of a busy signal.


The second Call Waiting is equally unpleasant to me, but there is no cost for it. Most of the time we identify this as "Please Hold." How irritating it is to punch a bunch of numbers, then some more, until we are finally told what number to press to get a real person. That is bad enough. When we press these numbers, we are then told that the next available representative will take our call. As we wait and get more irritated, we keep getting the recording, "Please continue to hold, your call is very important to us." How important is it if I have to wait and wait and wait? How I wish that there would be a person who would say, all of our representatives are busy now, please give me your phone number and I will have one call you back as soon as possible. With the computer it should be a simple thing to even receive an approximate number of minutes or hours before we will be called. Wouldn’t that make more sense that having upset customers who sit there with the phone for a very long time. Maybe these ‘Please Hold" businesses don’t think that time is very important to us.


The third Call Waiting and the one I really like is the least used and there is no cost. This service provides help in so many ways: illness, grief, hunger, poverty, family relationships; in fact, any problem that anyone could face. Not only that, you don’t have to make the Call, you just have to answer it when the need is there. It is Jesus with the line constantly open to you, with His Call Waiting for you to answer. Remember, He said, "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." The next time you have a problem His call to you is waiting and that is a call worth taking.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
 

 

02/14/2008

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KIND WORDS ARE PRICELESS


“A word of kindness is seldom spoken in vain, while witty sayings are easily lost as the pearls slipping from a broken string.  -- George D. Prentice.


Above are the words that greet you as you open the web page of THE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS FOUNDATION. Because this is the first day of RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK, I wanted to share them with you.

These words are also important to me as they speak to a concern that I have about relationships with others. I fear that we are fast losing the ability to communicate with others through writing. In your Inbox each month, what percentage of the e-mails that you receive are actually letters that are written specifically to you? Now, how many of those are not business letters and are not letters from a close relative? I suspect that the percentage would be quite low. Most of the things that we receive are a part of a group mailing. Some of these FORWARDS are interesting, some are witty, some are educational, some are offensive, and some certainly are not pleasing to God as they seek to defraud, as they seek to cast a bad light on people, events and causes. I look at each one, but I do not forward them in a group mailing. If there should be something that I think a particular person would appreciate, I cut and paste and send to that person along with a note telling them that I thought of them as I read the item and that encouraged me to send them a hello. There are times when I will save one in my files for future use here on the web site or in my RAMBLINGS newsletter. When I delete them, they scatter into cyberspace like pearls slipping from a broken string. While you might find all of the pearls, these forwards have scattered and are beyond recovery in my mind.

The written word in letters and e-mails I receive, the spoken words that I hear on the phone or in person to person conversation remain with me. Sometimes I will print these emails and read them again days or weeks later as I do with letters I receive through the mail. The conversations seem to remain in my mind to play over and over again. They are important because they were written to ME, for ME. The words that people say or write to me are never done in vain; they can lift me up, they can challenge my thinking, they can bring a smile to my face or a tear from my eye. They SHOUT LOUDLY.  “I CARE ABOUT YOU.”  KIND WORDS ARE PRICELESS.

There are more than names and address in your ADDRESS BOOK; there are people. People who would love to get a letter, hold it in their hands, read it, set it aside in a special place and read it over and over again.

There are people whose names are on your Christmas Card list that wish they could hear from you more than just once a year.

There are people in Retirement Homes or Nursing Homes that you may not even know who would love to hear about the snow, rains and sunshine where you live, the birds in the trees outside your window, and the rabbit that bounces along and then stops long enough to eat from your flower or vegetable garden.

The KIND WORDS that you can share with another are PRICELESS.

Just one more thing. I admit to sending my Newsletters out in a group mailing. I did not like it when I had to change to the group mailing from sending them individually, but I had no choice.  God had blessed me by the numbers of people who requested the free newsletter. What happened was that I was no longer typing those names on a monthly basis. As I would type the name, I would think about him, her or them and offer a brief prayer. and felt closer to them. Now I feel that i am beginning to lose much of that closeness and I don’t like it.

I must also admit that I don’t send as many personal letters as I want to. I should send at least six a week, yet I have many waiting to be answered because I do not reach that number.

Would you join with me in the following:

Try to send at least one personal letter to someone each week and each week make that a different person? -- YOUR KIND WORDS ARE PRICELESS!

When something is forwarded to you in a group mailing, after you read it, would you delete it, unless you know of one person that would find it meaningful. Then, cut and paste and send along with a personal note -- YOUR KIND WORDS ARE PRICELESS!

I believe that this would be a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS that would be most pleasing to God.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

02/12/2008

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WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DIE?


After my retirement from the active ministry in 2001, I accepted a part time position with the Rodenberger Funeral Home in Napoleon, Ohio. My duties center around the Visitation time when friends and relatives come to share in the grief of the bereaved family. Visitation times are different from community to community and range from two days of visitation to none. Here, an average visitation would be from 2 -9 on the day before the Funeral. The numbers of people who will come to pay their respects can range from 50 to 500, and occasionally, a little lower or higher.

I am there to assist the grieving family in any way that I can and to greet those who come for the visitation. I have many opportunities for conversation as the people come and as they leave. If there is a long line of visitors, as the line passes me, there are additional opportunities for discussion and questions.

The question that I am asked most frequently is, “Why do young people die?” The meaning of the word “young” in this question does not have a precise definition. It is asked when a child or a teen passes away. It is a normal question when death comes to those from 20 -60. I have even had people ask me this about persons in their 70’s and early 80’s. In each case, following the question will come the comment, “That’s too young to die.”

Of course the easy answer is that we all have to die and that we have not been given a guarantee as to how long we shall live.

That answer does not satisfy anyone. Possibly the better question is Why do some people die younger than others?

The Bible tells us that we are conceived in sin, and I believe that life begins at the time of conception. I believe that sin became a part of me from the very first second of my life. The Bible also speaks of “the wages of sin are death.” Sometimes it is obvious that sin causes some “young” people to die. Examples are accidental deaths where alcohol, drugs. speeding, ignoring stop signs or lights, or improper use of cell phones is the cause. Certainly murder would also be another example.

We like to talk about children inheriting talents and abilities from their parents, but tend to ignore the fact that children can inherit weaknesses in the body or tendencies to acquire diseases that cause the young to die. Even though people know many families where death regularly come at an early age, all too often life styles do not change and preventive medicine is not sought. When we either abuse or neglect the body that God has given to us, that is also sin, for we are then neglecting or harming a precious gift that God has given to us.

The sins of those who release pollutants into the air, water or soil lead to deaths of those that are too young. Deaths that come from unnecessary activities such as auto racing, athletics, dangerous stunts, etc. also lead to death of the young. Far too many die young because of malnutrition or starvation because in a world of over production, a world of having all the money needed to send space crafts soaring into space, there is not enough money to move food from where it rots and spoils to where it could save lives AND that is sin.

Each death certificate states the cause of death unless there is no forensic way to determine it. Even so, sometimes we cannot say with certainty that inheritance, carelessness, abuse of the body, or anything else is the basic cause.

The important thing is not to determine what sin caused a death, The importance is for each of us to know that death can and will come at any time. As children of God we do not need to fear death. We can proudly state with St. Paul, O Death where is thy sting, O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God who has given us the victory over death and the grave. From the little that has been revealed to us about Eternity with God, I strongly believe that when a person enters into Eternity with Christ, that person WILL NOT ASK, “Lord, why did I have to die so young?” but instead WILL ASK “Lord, why did you wait so long to call me home?”

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DIE?

NOT because they sin, we all sin.

BECAUSE they can. and we all will.

Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour when the Son of God will return.

GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

02/10-11//2008

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LET’S TAKE A STAND--COFFEE

 

I have long believed that all of the rhetoric that we hear, of the problems our nation and world faces, has little substance and leads nowhere. There is always talk about new legislation that needs to be enacted, new funding to correct the problems. Seldom, if ever, do these actions do anything except raise taxes and cause more anguish and frustration. I have long believed that most problems that plague our nation and world can only be resolved by individuals living and acting in the way that God would lead us.

 

LET’S TAKE A STAND will be a now and then series of THOUGHTS on both minor and major things we can do to help our way of life be pleasing to God.

 

Please feel free to send these THOUGHTS on to your friends. Please feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree. Please let me know if you have additional thoughts on the THOUGHT of the day. PLEASE TAKE A STAND.

 

Coffee may seem like an insignificant item on which to take a stand against the problems that face us daily, and it probably is. However, in the past years, not much seems to have been done about the major problems. Consider this:  Is it possible that by attacking some of the seemingly insignificant things that the bigger concerns will also be affected?

 

When I talk about coffee in this THOUGHT, I am not concerned about decaffeinated versus caffeinated, nor how many cups a day is too much, nor where the coffee beans grow or the cost when you buy a bag or can. I am thinking about the coffee you purchase by the cup. First of all I have a hard time understanding the cost of a cup of coffee, with a sandwich or a meal, anywhere from $1.25 to $2.50 and up depending on the general pricing of the restaurant. More irritating is the cost of a cup at a fast food restaurant or a coffee shop. Depending on the size and kind of coffee, the price can easily reach near $3.00, sometimes higher. I realize that some people might have five or six cups during the meal and conversation, and some will have several cups without ordering anything else.

 

I don’t know how many cups of coffee come from a pound, but at some prices it does not take many cups to pay for the pound. My question is, "Is it right to pay so much more than a normal markup for the cup of coffee? Is it right to take money that could be used for more important things and use it to buy a cup of coffee?"

 

There is much news coverage of the economic situation at present. People cannot afford to make purchases that keep our factories and retail outlets going. On the national news again we hear of a call for government funding to help businesses that are struggling. For some reason we do not understand that government cannot solve our economic problems; only the people can, as they spend their dollars with care. In my opinion, coffee that costs $1.00 on up is not a wise use of our money and contributes to our economic woes. Even worse, it makes it ever more difficult for us to support the charities who reach out to help those who cannot help themselves.

 

Yes, I enjoy my coffee. Yes, I go to town every morning for coffee. Yes, I do this with care because my tall cup of coffee and a roll or donut costs a grand total of 75 cents.

 

Will you TAKE A STAND and not buy coffee unless the price is reasonable?

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

01/13-14/2008

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WHO ATE MY FOOD? -- A SHADOW AND PRINCESS STORY

Once again I want to share with you a lesson that can be learned from the activities of our cats, Shadow and Princess. It was time for their annual check up at the Vet. Now that they are a little bigger and heavier, it is easier for my wife to take them to the Vet one at a time. All went well with Shadow, good health, everything fine. A week later it was time for Princess. Again all was well except for one thing. Shadow’s weight was fine, but Princess was a few ounces over the limit for a cat her size. The doctor suggested that instead of leaving the food out all of the time, to limit the amount put in the dish and only to leave it out long enough for them to eat. Of course, this meant that Shadow was also on the same limitations as Princess.

 

When it came time for their evening food, as she often did, Princess took a look at it, and then went off to sleep for a hour or so. After Shadow had eaten and Princess was still sleeping, the food dishes were picked up and put into a drawer. When Princess woke up, she came out to have her supper but there was no food there. Up until this point, the two cats had never had a time when they would hiss at each other; they were truly loving sisters. But not this time. Princess turned toward Shadow, arched her back and began to advance toward Shadow. It was as if Princess was saying to Shadow, "You ate my food, and now I am mad, and I’m going to get you for it." Fortunately, we were there and were able to intercede and stop things before a real catfight broke out. This stage of hostility went on for a couple of days before the harmony returned to the lives of the cats. Oh, yes, there are still times when a little hostility shows through.

 

Life is like that, isn’t it? Princess only assumed that Shadow ate her food. She had no proof. She did not know that we had taken it from her. How many times have we lashed out at others on the presumption that they had done something that upset us? Far too many times I am sure. Not only that, but sometimes it takes weeks, years and occasionally a lifetime before we can forgive someone for something they DID NOT do.

 

There is one more lesson from this story that we need to remember. Just like we were there to intervene between the two cats, God is there to intervene when we get ourselves into the same situation. Princess and Shadow responded to our intervention. Why can’t we respond when God, in His Love for us, intervenes? If we would respond, it might make this a better world.

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

01/09/2008

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AN EPIPHANY THOUGHT --

WHAT KIND OF HEADLIGHTS DO YOU HAVE?


When I began to drive in the early 1950’s, car headlights were simple things. There was dim and bright. The control was on the left side of the floorboard and you used your left foot to change from one setting to the other. Yes, there were some cars where the owner may have installed fog lights.

Today, it is not that simple as there are various kinds of lights that are seen when driving at night. I am most thankful that on many cars, the lights are on whenever the car engine is running and even more important when the windshield wipers are operating. What a great safety measure this is.

When driving at dusk, at night, or in the rain or snow, I notice that there are three kinds of lights on different cars driving toward me. On cars that do not have the automatic activation of the lights, some may have forgotten to turn the lights on; others only have their parking lights turned on. The majority of the cars have their proper lights turned on, although once in a while a driver will forget to dim them for oncoming traffic. These lights, at the proper setting, give good illumination without the glare bothering the oncoming driver. The third group is made up of a new kind of headlight. These lights are almost blinding to the oncoming driver. Some display a bright white light while others tend to be a bluish light. Both are distracting because of their brightness, in fact as far as I am concerned, distracting to the point of being dangerous.

In this Season of Epiphany, when I ask “What Kind of Headlights do you have?” I am not speaking about on your car. I am asking what kind of LIGHT is coming from you, your words, your actions, that proclaim Jesus Christ as Light of the world?

Does the Light of Christ shine forth from you like the older model cars? Sometimes the Light of Christ within you is not turned on. Sometimes it is like just having the parking lights on -- weak, feeble, not enough to get the attention of others; almost like the failure of a door to door salesman who goes to the prospective customer and asks, “You wouldn't want to buy this would you?”

Does the Light of Christ shine forth from you like the newer, brighter, almost blinding lights? Sometimes this kind of a light is so overpowering, even so abrasive, that instead of being drawn to the Light, people turn away?

I encourage you to strive to have within you the Light of Christ that is like the headlights on most cars today. May the light of Christ shine forth from you every moment that your motor is running, and that is every moment of your life. May you also ask God for the guidance to know when the Light should shine on dim and be illuminating and inviting. Then when needed, may God give you the power to know when to switch to the bright lights to give the seeker coming toward you every opportunity to walk with you in the Light that leads all who follow to eternity.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
 

 

01/08/2008

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VETERAN’S DAY

 

Twice a year we pause for special observances remembering those who have served in the Armed Forces of our Nation.

In May it is a somber celebration as we remember those who gave their lives on the battlefields of the world. It is because of them that many people of the world can live in relative peace today.

In November it is a time of joyful celebration of the victories that have been won. It is because of them that many people of the world can live in relative peace today.

Some people would ask, ”What is there to rejoice about?  Our men and women are still perishing on the battlefields of the world?" That is a question that calls for an answer.

First of all, we need to always remember and celebrate the victories, while not forgetting the sacrifices that continue today. If we remember the victories and learn from them, the celebrations will continue. Much is written about the victories in battle; however, If you talk with Veterans of all wars, there were other victories to celebrate. We need to celebrate the lives of many children, who were changed because our veterans gave them love in the midst of gunfire, hunger, loss of family members and so forth. These veterans have done this with a candy bar, a piece of gum, a pencil, a notebook, clothing, almost anything that the soldier had or that people at home has sent for the soldier to give to those who need some love and the assurance that those who were fighting in their land, cared about them and loved them.

As we again celebrate Veteran’s Day, why not check with the Red Cross or another organization to see what you might gather together to send to a member of the Armed Forces. In Honor of Veterans let us continue the victories of giving hope to the poor and needy children of the war torn areas wherever they might be?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

11/11&12/2007

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THE TV EVANGELISTS CONTROVERSY

 

When I heard and read the news reports of the proposed investigation into the finances of some of the most well know TV Evangelists, I was both sorry and glad.

 

I was SORRY because if these accusations are true, all TV evangelists get hurt. There are many who work very hard on a very small number of gifts that they receive from their viewers. Some of them don’t ask for gifts and carry out their ministry trusting that God will provide. Then, if they receive something extra, they use it for extra ministry and not for themselves. We must pray for those who labor for Christ and not for their own glory.

 

I was GLAD because if these accusations are true, then these ministries must be exposed and people must turn their backs on them. If these accusations are true, then these are the false teachers that Peter warns about and we must refrain from supporting them. Are these accusations true? I don’t know. God knows. If they are true, are these the rich that Jesus talks about who come to the feast and go to the best seat at the table, ignoring the poor who look hungrily at the celebration. Are these the Pharisees who point at the Publican and say, "Thank God I am not a sinner like that man."

 

Just one more THOUGHT on this subject. There have been people who are in high places in Christian Television stations and networks who have come out against those accused. I only ask these executives, Why are these people still on your network and station? I realize that you need the income to keep your ministry going. Even so, stop and think for a moment about this question,. "Doesn’t the money you receive for airing these accused individuals feel like the 30 pieces of silver must have felt in the hands of Judas?"

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

11/10/2007

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY


There are many named days that are self serving and/or frivolous.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY on October 25 is not one of them. This a Day that we should all take seriously and pray about being a participant.

Many choose not to participate because they don’t have time, OR they don’t know what to do, OR they feel that just one person cannot make a difference.

If you are one of those people, please take a moment to read my response to you:

YOU DON’T HAVE TIME – How much time does it take to smile at someone, or just to have a smile on your face the greater part of each day? The next person you see at the store, at work, at school, or on the street may desperately need to see a smile, and what a DIFFERENCE IT COULD MAKE if they saw your smile.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO – Each of us have talents that could make a big difference in the life of someone. There are many, many agencies looking for people with your talents to volunteer in whatever they do to serve people. Names and phone numbers of these places are readily available. If you can’t find a place, let me know and I will try to help you in your search. Maybe you don’t want a regularly scheduled time to volunteer; then do it on your own schedule. Just look around and you can identify plenty of ways that you can make a difference. Is there someone in your neighborhood who should not be on a ladder to change a light bulb or something similar? Is there someone who lives alone and does not often have pie or cake because a whole pie or cake is too much for them to eat? Get better acquainted with those around you at home, work, or school. Learn their needs and where you can, offer to help, and YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

ONE PERSON CANNOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE – In the above examples it is one person making a difference. In larger tasks, each one additional person who joins hands in the task MAKES A DIFFERENCE in the outcome of the task.

On
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY will you at the very least pray this simple prayer?

LORD, I want to make a difference.
Open my eyes that I might see what you would have me do, And give me the strength and courage to do it, AMEN.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

10/24/2007

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WHERE DID THAT TREE COME FROM?


We are fortunate to have many trees on our property. The trees bring beautiful color in their growing season and then the brilliant colors of the Fall. The trees provide shade on a hot summer day and give protection when the winds blow. Some produce tasty fruits and nuts, and a few can become a nuisance, such as when the wind blows through the cottonwood trees.

Trees are also interesting in that we sometimes discover a tree growing where we know that we have not planted one. Then we ask, “Where did that tree come from?” Sometimes we can answer the question by saying that the winds blew the seed and it landed there; other times the birds receive the credit for dropping the seed, and then there are the times when we have buried garbage that contained seeds.

There is one more interesting way that these trees appear. We know that at the base of the tree trunk, suckers often grow. These suckers grow from the roots of the tree that are just below the top layer of soil. This is easy to understand. Then there are times when these same trees will shoot up a distance away from the tree or even from roots of a tree that has been cut down years before. It is hard to imagine that these roots can remain for a period of time, and a new tree will shoot forth from the root.

Maybe this can help us to understand the references to the “Root of Jesse” as is found in Isaiah 13 and other places. Jesus was “of the house and lineage of David” and David was a descendent of Jesse. From David to Jesus, not much is heard of this lineage; yet the root remained alive, and from that root arose a new shoot -- Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Not only do those tree shoots help us to understand this, they also challenge us to be diligent in our Bible Study and in going into all nations teaching and baptizing in the name of Jesus. We sometimes pass off accounts of the Church of Jesus Christ surviving after years of nothing being heard of it behind the Iron Curtain, in China, and in other lands where Christianity has been outlawed and persons who believed in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were persecuted and even killed. Yet the roots remained. When the Iron Curtain was lifted, the church came forth from the roots; the same in China, and we hear of the same thing happening in other countries where Christianity is not welcome.

There is still the ever important area of these roots and our youth. For some reason, over the years we have backed away from taking seriously the planting of these seeds and the growing of these roots in the lives of youth. While athletics are demanding more and more time, the church is providing less and less. How can roots grow if they are not properly fed?

The next time you see a new tree shooting forth, instead of asking, “Where did that tree come from?” ask yourself, “Are my roots strong enough to survive if my rights to freedom of religion are taken away?” Then ask another question, “Am I doing as much as I can to help the youth and others strengthen their roots?” May we be the water and the fertilizer that the roots of our faith and the roots of the faith of others may survive--regardless of whatever attacks may seek to destroy our faith.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

10/01/2007

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SEPTEMBER 30 & OCTOBER 1, 2007
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP WEEK
 

This is the beginning of Christian Leadership Week. You probably will not read anything in the paper about it, talk shows will ignore it, except some of the religious talk shows, and it may not have been mentioned in your church this week.


It is not my purpose in this THOUGHT to call for great celebrations giving praise and gifts to Christian Leaders. It is not my purpose to call for honors for those who have paid positions in Christian Leadership. It is not my purpose to praise those who have used their names or finances to gain honorary positions so that their name is associated with things that make them look good.


My purpose is to ask you to pray for those who freely give of their time and talents to LEAD people to the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel.


This could be the Pastor who is paid but goes far beyond the numbers of hours of work that the pay represents as he shares the GOOD NEWS not only with His Sunday Morning words but with his very life.


This could be that tireless person who works with the youth and not only understands them but is also able to let them know that God loves them. That LEADER is always ready to respond when a youth calls or comes for help.


It could be that person who regularly goes to nursing homes just to visit. That visit LEADS the residents to know that God has not forgotten them even if friends or family don’t come very often.


It could be the person who is a faithful volunteer at a Prison Ministry, a Nursing Home, a Soup Kitchen, a Homeless Shelter, or any way the actions show God’s Love.


It could be YOU. Who does the Holy Spirit want to help you LEAD one step closer to faith today?


Pray for all Christian Leaders that many might be led to Christ.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

09/30-10/01/2007

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THE ISRAELI FARMERS MISSED THE FIRST STEP!
 

The Toledo Blade carried an interesting story in the Religion Section on September 8, 2007. The headline read, "Israeli farmers coping with requirement to stop work." The problem arises because the Ultra-Orthodox Jews still follow an ancient Old Testament law that requires them to stop working their fields for a year, every seventh year. This began with Rosh Hashana at sundown on September 12 and continues until Rosh Hashana in the fall or 2008. This is known as a Sabbatical year.


The problems are real. Many of the companies that buy spices are ultra orthodox and will not buy these spices during the sabbatical year. For the ultra orthodox farmer, the profit margin is so low that they can’t afford to go a year without the income from their fields. Some non orthodox merchants go along with the sabbatical year because they do not want to lose the business of the ultra orthodox Thus the sabbatical year has become an economic issue versus a religious issue, but it should not be an issue at all.


If my understanding of the Old Testament is correct, along with the command that the land lay fallow every seventh year is the promise that God will provide. This is where I believe these farmers missed the first step and why they are having problems today.  If we go back to the interpretation of the dreams of the seven fat cows being devoured by the seven lean cows and the same with the stalks of corn, we remember that God said that during the seven good years the people were to put aside enough to last them through the seven lean years. Therefore, if they are going to observe this ancient law, they must take the first step of preparing for it in the six preceding years.


While Christianity has long ago understood that Jesus abolished many of these laws, this does raise some questions and makes a point. The point is that doing God’s will takes work. For these ultra-Orthodox Jews, they seem to have forgotten the work they needed to do to prepare and should not expect anyone to support them in something that God has given them directions for implementing. The question that it raises is this. Sabbaticals still exist.  In the church, elected officials, presidents and professors of Seminaries and other Higher Education often take a sabbatical year or maybe a shorter period of time. My problem with this is that many who take sabbaticals also miss the first step. A sabbatical is not something that is earned or given, it is something that a person chooses to do as a part of his or her Christian Life. If that is the case, then the person who seeks a sabbatical should prepare in the preceding years to have the resources available to exist during the sabbatical time. It seems to me to be wrong to take money given for the Mission of the Church to provide Sabbaticals that are often in some wonderful vacation spots overseas.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

09/13/2007

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LEST WE FORGET


Today marks another somber observance of the event that few people believed could ever happen. Yet it did. In New York, Washington D.C. and rural Pennsylvania there will be services of remembrance for those whose lives were lost. These services will be held LEST WE FORGET those who died either as victims of the crashes or as rescuers.

While we remember that terrible day, we will be reminded that the threat continues for another attack, the kind, the time and the place are unknown. Many people will not forget 9/11 and they will not ignore the possibility of another attack. At the same time they will heed the advice of Homeland Security Officials, they will be cautious as they carry out their normal life patterns.

Many have called theses attacks Satanic. That may well be as the attacks showed no love, no compassion, nor respect for innocent human lives. LEST WE FORGET, the shocked, bereaved people of the world turned to God seeking His Strength and Comfort. The people of the world have done this over and over following each attack in whatever nation it occurred. Even before calls for retaliation sounded, people were praying.

LEST WE FORGET, Satan is still active today, not only in the attacks that continue to take place but also those that are promised to come. Satan is active today in your life and in mine. Satan does not want us to turn to God in prayer and he rejoices when people respond to the call of the terrorists to join them.

LEST WE FORGET that even as powerful as Satan is, God has defeated him. If we ask God and put our trust in Him, He will protect us from Satan. If we ask God and put our trust in Him, he will lead us to help someone escape from the hold that Satan has on that person.

LET WE FORGET, I hope you would join me in daily praying Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayer or at least these words. ”Let thy Holy Angel have charge concerning me that the wicked one have no power over me.”

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

09/11/2007

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THE BIG TEN NETWORK:


WE PAY SO THEY CAN PLAY;

NOW WE HAVE TO PAY SO WE CAN WATCH THEM PLAY!

 

A hot topic of conversation around here is the decision of the BIG TEN Football Conference to televise many of their football games on their own Big Ten Network. Unfortunately for the fans here in Northwest Ohio, and probably other places, most of the providers of cable and satellite services chose not to add this network to their packages.

Even if every cable and satellite service carried this network, I would still have a problem with it. I believe that it is wrong to have to pay so they can play, and then we have to pay to watch them play. I don’t have a problem with paying to enter the Stadium to watch them play, but I do have a problem with making those who are not able to get a ticket to the game pay for the privilege of watching them play.

Every Big Ten School depends on money from people for their existence and growth. Most of them are supported through taxes paid by all residents of the State, while all of them continue to seek larger and more donations every year.

I pay so they can play through the taxes I pay to the State of Ohio.

I could pay so they can play if I responded to appeals for donations from the University or affiliated groups.

I pay so they can play as I purchase products that provide individuals and corporations the income and ability to make such huge gifts.

TO THE BIG TEN:

Are you teaching the student athletes to take as much as they can from anyone they can, no matter who they deprive, as long as the money flows in?

Are you teaching the student athletes that they have absolutely no reason to feel bad if they deprive people of some of the joys in their lives? Here I speak of the people who cannot afford ANY kind of cable or satellite reception, or those who are terminally ill and find joy in watching their favorite team. To put it bluntly, are you teaching that as long as you bring in the money, don’t worry about who you hurt?

Are you teaching the student athletes that on the collegiate level it is no longer a game, but a business that MUST show a profit?

Are you willing to reconsider this decision and once again give to  ALL who support you with their taxes and their donations so they can play,  the opportunity to watch them play without having to pay?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

09/07/2007

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LABOR DAY -- “WE CAN’T HAVE OUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO.”


I have some real concerns about Labor Day; not the Day itself, but the observance of it. In my RAMBLINGS FROM RON Newsletter (which is free, just send me an e-mail requesting it) I feature a different web site each month. In the last issue I suggested a site dealing with the History of Labor Day and suggested that people look at it and other sites as they prepared for Labor Day this year. I also included a comment that deals with trying to “have our cake and eat it, too.”

To explain the above, I raise these questions.

Why do people, who march in Labor Day Parades, watch and applaud as the parade passes by or present and/or listen to Labor Day speeches, and then stop at one of the “Mega” or “Super” stores on the way home to buy products made in foreign countries?

Why do businesses who rely on the labor force of our nation, choose the less expensive labor of other nations to provide their materials, parts, products and profit?”

If you are thinking that here is another appeal for keeping employment here at home, you are wrong. Even though I strongly believe in buying American products produced, grown, or made by Americans, there is a much more serious problem that as Christians we cannot ignore.

A major accomplishment of the Labor Movement was to assure workers of a living wage and safe, working conditions. There has not always been victory in this cause, as there are still far too many deaths in mines and in other fields of dangerous work. At the same time, there has been success in getting rid of the shame of sweatshops and inhumane and degrading low wages, even though some still exist hidden in the dark corners of our cities.

Sadly, we hear reports of these inhumane conditions existing in the very countries that ship so many products to our stores. We hear of businesses owned by celebrities who have sweatshop like conditions for their employees in other countries. We find American businesses and business people profiting from those conditions that the American Labor Movement sought to stamp out.


When I say “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too” by using that old phrase I am saying - -

You can’t applaud, cheer, fight for and support the Labor Movement today IF on the way home you are going to buy a product that comes to our stores out of the very system the Labor Movement sought to destroy. You can’t have it both ways, you have to make a choice!

What do these Words of Jesus have to say about this, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me.” Read St. Matthew 25:31-46 and remember that Jesus said these words not only to those who did good but also to those who did not. Think about what Jesus says the consequences are for those who did not do the right thing.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

09/01-02-03/2007

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HAVE YOU READ ALL THOSE BOOKS?


Like many other people who like to read, we have many, many books in our home. In my study/office, we have floor to ceiling bookcases along with the normal bookcases and shelves throughout the house. These are mostly books that might be found in any home. In my workroom, that you enter through the garage, are books from my Pastor Library. In addition, there are about 15 boxes that hold books because no additional shelf space is available. Whenever visitors came to my office or to our home, often they would ask, "Have you read all those books?"


During my years in the Parish Ministry, one of my greatest joys was calling on people in their homes. When I would go into a home for the first time, I would look to see if there was a bookshelf or a bookcase. If I did see some books, I would ask if they had read all those books. Then we might talk about the books they had, and if I had read one or more of them. it was a great way to move into other conversations, since we began by talking about something we both knew about. Sometimes there would be a book that contained two or more books such as the Condensed Books Series. That would make it easy to ask if they had ever seen a book big enough to contain sixty-six books? By far, the majority of the times, the people would say, No. I would point to the Bible and say, there is one that contains sixty-six books. Then we could talk about reading all those books.


This weekend, would you consider reading a few of those books? Some are very, very short and some quite long. Some are interesting, some tend to be boring. Some are easy to read and understand; some take some time and thought. That is no different than any other collection of books.


Most books entertain or educate. This collection of 66 books does more than that, it gives us all that we need to do our part in making this world a better place to live while we await the Call from our Lord to His House of many mansions.


Take a moment, and go to where your Bible is placed. Pick it up and ask yourself, "Have I read all these books?" If not, why not? Yes, why not start today?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/31/2007

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MY LAWN LOOKS NICE AGAIN


Throughout the world the weather has been unpredictable and often destructive in recent years. Some people observe the destructive weather and wonder if there is a message from God involved. That is a subject for another time.


Here where I live, we have gone through a long period without rain and then rain in such volume and force that the drying creeks and lowering rivers, soon overflowed their banks and flooded many areas.


As a result, the person who mows my lawn has only been here three times in the last 8 weeks. The first two times the grass did not need to be mowed, just the weeds. Then some rain began and the grass began to grow, as the weeds continued to grow. Just when it should have been mowed again, the floods came. While our home was not involved in the flood waters, the rains that fell made mowing impossible for several days. By the time the ground was dry enough for the mower, the lawn was a ragged looking sight – grass and weeds of different shades of green and each growing at different heights. It looked terrible.


Kyle came and spent his four hours on the riding mower. When he finished, it was a joy to look at the lawn. Everything was even ,and from a distance it seemed as if all of the weeds were gone. Now a few days later as the weeds grow faster than the grass, that beauty is fading.


That is so much like life. I look at my life and everything seems fine. Then I look a little closer and I see the weeds of sin erupting and growing to the point that they can overshadow the gentle blades of love. As a result of a simple prayer, Jesus comes to me, and. with the Blood He shed on the Cross. wipes those sins away. OH, that feels so good. But wait. Those sins begin to shoot forth again! Just like the grass and the weeds, isn’t it? Yet, there is one major difference. Kyle has to wait for the grass to grow long enough and for the right weather before he can mow again. Jesus only waits for us to call upon Him. He will come and cleanse us daily, even hourly or every few minutes – All we need do is ask Him.


Sometimes we can’t help it that our lawns look shaggy because of he weeds. We CAN do something about the sin that grows within us.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/29/2007

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CRACKERS OVER THE KEYBOARD DAY, AUGUST 28


Yes, that is what my calendar of special days lists. I can’t even begin to imagine what is supposed to be celebrated on such a day. At the same time, I can see a THOUGHT to share with you under this theme.

It is well known that cracker crumbs cause problems with keyboards. So why do they do it?

It is well know that crossing the yellow line while passing another vehicle can cause death or injury to the people in the car that you cannot see. So why do they do it?

It is well know that reacting in anger can cause broken relationships, harmful injury, and even arrest. So why do they do it?

It is well known that God is offended when people take His Name in vain. So why do they do it?

It is well known that peoples' lives have been ruined when others said something harmful about them that was not true. So why do they do it?

You can add a lot of other “So why do they do it’s” to this list.

Maybe they do it because they only care for themselves and are not concerned about others.

Maybe they do it because they are distracted by other things and don’t realize the harm they can cause until it is too late.

Maybe they do it because they do not understand that to love your neighbor is to help and befriend him or her in every way.

Maybe they do it because they have no idea of how God wants them to live.

For whatever reason, we, like St. Paul, do the things we should not do and don’t do the things we should. Let us always remember that just as the repair service is there to fix our keyboards, God is there to repair our sinful life.

PLEASE, DON’T EAT CRACKERS WHILE WORKING AT YOUR KEYBOARD!

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/28/2007

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WHY DON’T I DO THAT FIRST?


Are you like me? When I come into the office to begin to write, there are always a few things on my desk waiting to be taken care of. It may be a few bills that I need to pay. It may be a list of letters or e-mails that I need to answer. If may be a few pieces of paper that I need to file. Always, not seen but there, nonetheless, the two articles that I try to write six times a week for this web site. I will review the letters and e-mails that I need to answer, and possibly select one for a reply. My usual action then is to put it down with a promise that I will write the two articles first, and then the replies. Night after night, by the time I finish writing the articles, it is too late to write the letters.

Today I again thought about an e-mail for which an answer was long, long overdue. As I reviewed the message I had received, this time I thought, “Why don’t I do that first?”

This time I did write the reply first. It only took a few minutes. If it should happen that I am not able to complete both articles tonight, it won’t be because of the few minutes spent on the reply.

Maybe this should be a motto for other activities in our Christian life. We all know that the encouragement from God’s Word is to give to our tithe to the work of the Lord before spending the rest for other needs.

If God expects that kind of a financial response, it should follow that He also expects a percentage of our time and talents. As you read the following statements. I use the word “I” not to refer to me, the writer, but to you, the reader. As you read, honestly ask if any of them apply to you.

I don’t have time to study the Bible.

I don’t have time for daily devotions.

I don’t have much time to pray because as soon as I begin, I fall asleep.

I don’t have time to send a personal letter or an e-mail; all those cute things I forward should be enough to keep in touch.

I have talents that the church could use, but I don’t have time to offer them.

I don’t have time to talk to my friends about God; by the time we cover the gossip and recent events, we have to get on with our other obligations.

Now add your own “I don’t have time sentences.”

Consider how much time any one of these would take. Most of them do not take much time at all. Then ask yourself, WHY DON’T I DO THAT FIRST?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/26-27/2007

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WHY I DON’T PRAY FOR RAIN

 

It may sound strange for a Pastor to say that he does not pray for rain, but I do have a reason for it. When I share the reason with you, I hope you will not only understand why I do not pray for rain, but you might also find some help for your own prayer life.


Certainly every pastor who has ever served a rural parish can attest to the fact that more prayer requests come in to ask for rain than for anything else. I understand this as the farmer’s income for living depends on the growth of the crops planted in the fields. When the rains don’t come, the income is not there and this is crucial for the farmer.


In the early days of my ministry, I did respond to those requests. At times, the response of the people was not what I expected. Some would complain because they had an outdoor event planned, or a farmer had cut hay the night before and needed to have it dry so he could bale. The response that made me change my thinking was when I responded and prayed for rain, and it did rain for three or four days, the next Sunday the same people would request that I pray that that rain would stop. I began to wonder if God was saying to me and those who made the prayer request, Please make up your mind.


Ever since then when I have been asked to pray for rain, I give a comment that produces a smile, and I hope also teaches a lesson and then I explain. The comment I give when someone sees me and I asks that I pray for rain, I respond. "I am in sales; not production." It is my hope that this response will remind them that our purpose is to be the sales people who take the good news of the Gospel to others and leave the blessings to God for Him to provide them as He pleases. I then explain that I will not pray for rain, but I will ask God to send favorable weather upon us. Even the days of rain and the days of sunshine we place in God’s Hands and receive those gifts as He chooses to provide them. Let us also remember that God can choose to use the weather in teaching us how helpless we are without His freely given gifts. Can this also remind us how helpless we will be in Eternity if we do not accept His freely given Spiritual Gifts?


In our prayers we sometimes pray for specific things. Maybe we should pray in such a way that we allow God to grant us that which He knows that we need. In this way we can even receive the answer to a prayer that we had no idea we needed to offer.


Lord, we pray for favorable weather.


Lord, we pray for the ability to face each health issue that presents itself to us.


Lord, we pray that you might send us to respond to the needs of another without even knowing that the need exists.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/25/2007

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BE AN ANGEL DAY, AUGUST 22nd


When I saw on the calendar that August 22nd was “Be An Angel Day,” I wondered what the people were thinking when they named the day. I really have no idea what is implied, but it did lead me to some thoughts. Now I think it is a good idea.

First of all, it reminds us of the existence of angels. Many people don’t even think about the existence of angels, even though we read about them in the Bible. If you pray Luther's Morning or Evening Prayer, you are praying these words, “Let The Holy Angel have charge concerning me....”
Secondly, being an angel could lead us to find out what angels do. The Bible tells us they brought messages from God, sometimes directions for what they should do, and other times warnings against what they have been doing. There were also times when angels brought comfort or answered questions of the faithful.

Third, it can lead us to ask what do angels look like today? This is possibly one place where Hollywood and Television have it right when the people playing the role of an angel look just like other people. You ask, why these actors do not wear white robes? The answer is simple. From what we can tell, robes were the type of clothing people wore in those times. If you recall, there were times when the people did not know they were talking to angels; they thought they were just people until after they had parted from each other. It was then that they talked about if that was an angel that had been among them.

Do people see angels today? That is a question I can't answer with facts. I believe that they do. I believe there are angels among us who are there at the right time with the right answer or help that we need. I believe that there are angels who test us, to see what our response is to the need they present. I remember a Seminary Classmate telling some of us about his drive across the many states from his home in the Northwest to the Seminary in Iowa. He talked about driving one of the (at that time) lonely stretches of highway. Often you could drive many miles without meeting another car. On his drive, he came to and passed two people hitchhiking. A few miles down the road he thought that he should have stopped and given them a ride. He turned around and went back. They were nowhere to be seen. My friend did not see another car. As it is in these wide open spaces, there was not a crossroad or even a path in those miles. The people just were not there. My friend was convinced that these people were angels, sent by God to test him, to see if indeed He would respond to the need of “one of the least of these.”

I believe that angels do exist and that they are among us. I believe these servants of God have touched the lives of many people. I believe that they have had an impact on my life.

I also believe that God uses people like you and me to be in the role of angels from time to time. No, we are not the Holy Angels, we are still sinful man and sinful woman, yet God wants to use us, -- yes God does have something He wants us to do.

BE AN ANGEL DAY.   I kind of like the idea.  If it would turn out to BE AN ANGEL EVERY DAY, that would be wonderful. The next time you see someone and a thought tugs at your heart, why not pause and say a short prayer:

Lord, is there something you want me to do for this person?

If so, help me to understand what it is I am to do.

Yes, Lord. I am willing to be one of your angels today. AMEN.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/23/2007

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I THOUGHT I HAD IT FIXED


Heavy rains came to Northwest Ohio.  Other areas have had heavier amounts of rainfall, but the six inches we received at our home caused enough problems for me. This is one of those storms where several inches fall within an hour or two. Several years ago we had such a storm and our basement filled with water. Fortunately, this is all ground water with no sewage involvement and is somewhat common when you live in flat terrain as we do. What a mess!  Many loads removed by the weekly trash pick up and much scrubbing and cleaning.

We contacted a different plumber and he made the needed corrections that would move the water out of the sump pump pit faster. A few years went by and no further problems. I thought I had it fixed, so we turned the plain basement into a comfortable living space for hobbies, canning, sewing and so forth.

Well, this morning we found out that I didn’t have it fixed, as the heavier rains came, and the improved plumbing could not keep up. Six inches of water--but this time not as much damage. Most things were in plastic boxes and off the floor. A couple of rugs are drying and we don’t know if they are beyond saving or not. The laminate floor will probably have to be replaced. We will try something else and again I will say, I think I have it fixed.

You may be wondering why I take your time to read this. Others have had worse experiences with floods, tornados and hurricanes. You are correct in thinking that way.

My purpose in telling you this is not to gain your words of support. My purpose is to hope you might remember this story or your similar story and relate it to your faith.

I was tempted = the rains came.

I sinned = the water came into the house.

I prayed and asked for forgiveness = I used the rags and the mops.

God cleansed me of my sin = I cleaned up the basement.

Everything was okay, I THOUGHT I HAD IT FIXED.

BUT NO!

I did ask God to help me to change for the better = I called the plumber to make changes

I was tempted again = the rains came again.

I sinned again = the water came into the basement again

I prayed and confessed again = I got the cleaning supplies ready again.

God cleansed me again = I cleaned the basement again.

Everything was okay again, I THOUGHT I HAD IT FIXED.

It may happen again. I may get tired of cleaning, BUT God will never tire of cleansing me.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/21/2007

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WHAT KIND OF LAUGH DO YOU HAVE?

 

I conducted a Funeral Service for a mother of three. This lady was in her mid-thirties when "in the twinkling of an eye" her life ended in a traffic accident. When I met with her family, we spent quite a bit of time talking about her. I kept hearing people talk about the fact that you might not know that she was in the room, but when you heard her laugh you knew she was there. I could not recall this laugh from the times I was in her presence, but so many people told me this that I decided to use it in her funeral meditation.


When I mentioned this, the people gathered there for the service, laughed as they knew what I was talking about. At that point I added something else that the family told me. When she was young, one day her sister heard her laughing in many different ways. Her sister asked, "What are you doing." She replied, "I am trying out different kinds of laughing to see what kind I want to use." Those gathered laughed again.


I honestly cannot say what my laugh is like as I have never thought about that. Maybe I should give it some thought. I know that the laughs of some people are very irritating, in my opinion. Others laugh and I just feel better hearing them laugh. Some laughs don’t bother me one way or another.


I think I will pay attention to my laugh and see if there might be something I could do to help my laugh bring joy to others. How about you, WHAT KIND OF A LAUGH DO YOU HAVE?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/18/2007

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THE TWIN CITIES TRAGEDY --
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? PART 5


The tragic collapse of the Interstate Bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul has captured the attention of a multitude of people. Tragedies take place all too frequently and each is important; each deals with people who suffer. As I write these THOUGHTS, it is not my intention to overshadow the loss of life, the pain or injury and sorrow, or the economic loss because of the disruption of traffic patterns. My purpose is to look at these events and see what we can learn from them as we walk with God. I must also add that the information I have comes from the news media and from forwarded e-mails. Some of it may not be correct.  Even so, I will still use it if it leads me to a THOUGHT I want to share.

ADDITIONAL DIVERS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO SEARCH FOR THE LOST was the theme of many news reports that gained quite a bit of coverage. Following that announcement and repeated reports of the danger from all the the underwater dangers, the news reports seemed to fade away. It is strange that we could see story after story and picture after picture of the collapsed bridge, but when additional divers arrived and recovery efforts were underway, seldom a picture or a story. The same type of coverage seems too evident regarding the most recent mine disaster.

Why is this? Does the media determine what we are interested in? Do people want these stories to go away because they don’t want to be reminded of the fact that tragedy can happen to anyone at anytime? Do we want to put aside anything that interferes with moving forward to achieve what many call the “Good Life?” Whatever the reason, it is only a matter of days or weeks before both the bridge collapse and the mine explosion will be forgotten by all except the families directly involved, either as families involved in the event or by being inconvenienced by the after effects of the tragedy.

This same thing happened at a Cross and three days later at an empty tomb. People talked and talked about the Crucifixion of Jesus and then again about His Resurrection. As time went by, those who believed and rejoiced talked about it less and less while those who did not believe continued to try to remove that belief from the lives of people.

Now back to the scene of the bridge collapse. Even though there is no longer the massive press coverage, the divers are still there. As weather permits, they go to the darkness of depths of the Mississippi, seeking those who are lost. Those bodies may be trapped by the large pieces of the bridge that have fallen or other unknown items at the river bottom. Some of these large objects may not be secure and could move at any time, placing the divers in peril. It is possible that some of the bodies may have been carried away by the current and may be lodged in other debris farther down steam. For the divers, the only thing that is important is finding the lost. At great risk they continue to seek. We need to thank them for this by daily remembering them in our prayers.

The same thing applies to those who are still trying to bring back the lost who have been trapped by Satan and are not able, on their own, to escape from their imprisonment in sin. Some have even been carried away from the still waters to the turbulence that only Satan can provide. Even in the darkest days of tragedy, of man’s inhumanity to man, God’s divers are still there. There are still people who risk friendships, who risk economic security, and in some parts of our world, risk their lives, as they continue to take the lifeline of Jesus and His Love to those entrapped in sin.


I thank God for those divers who risk their lives to bring back those bodies from their captivity in the waters of the Mississippi.

I thank God for those people of faith who take risks to bring back those who have wandered away from the Love of God and are now in captivity to Satan.

There are enough divers searching for the lost bodies. May they find them soon.

There are NOT enough Christians searching for the lost sheep. May you join with me and other believers, as we need to find them soon.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/12-13/2007

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THE TWIN CITIES TRAGEDY --
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? PART 4
 

The tragic collapse of the Interstate Bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul has captured the attention of a multitude of people. Tragedies take place all too frequently and each is important; each deals with people who suffer. As I write these THOUGHTS, it is not my intention to overshadow the loss of life, the pain or injury and sorrow, or the economic loss because of the disruption of traffic patterns.  My purpose is to look at these events and see what we can learn from them as we walk with God. I must also add that the information I have comes from the news media and from forwarded e-mails. Some of it may not be correct. Even so, I will still use it if it leads me to a THOUGHT I want to share.

WE DIDN’T HAVE THE MONEY was reported by the news media as the reply given by Highway Department officials when asked a question similar to “Why was bridge maintenance not up to date?” The individual went on to indicate that there was plenty of money for new construction but not enough for maintenance.

It is not my purpose to argue if the lack of funding did or did not make a difference. I only want to ask what can we learn from this tragedy? I do have some questions concerning moneys allotted for new construction and keeping old construction up to date and safe.

Who makes the decisions as to how the money is allocated, and does political pressure have a strong hand here?

New construction benefits business and industry more than the passenger traffic. New construction does not face the opposition of land owners because these land owners are usually farmers or residents who are unfortunate to live in the path of the new construction. Whereas, maintenance and/or rebuilding a present structure brings cries of outrage and political pressure from business and industry who will suffer a temporary loss of business while the reconstruction is taking place. Can you even begin to imagine the cries of outrage that would have come had I-35 W been shut down and replaced? By the way, can you imagine the President flying to the Twin Cities and offering financial aid if the bridge had been safely shut down?

Then is all new construction really needed?  Here where I live, two new exits and entrances to the Ohio Turnpike have been added in the past few years. Each has a major industry near it that relies heavily on truck transportation. In both cases, the entry and exit from the turnpike saves about ten miles one way for each trip and none of this through city traffic. In an earlier THOUGHT, I had written about the millions of dollars being spent to make US 24 a four lane highway between Toledo, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana to make this Fort to Port Highway a safer highway. The same safety result could be achieved if everyone obeyed the speed limit and for those who choose not to obey, the Highway Patrol's carefully watching.

No one wants to take the blame for the bridge collapse and I am not sure that any one person is responsible. If we speed or refuse to obey other traffic laws, if we use cell phones while driving or other distractions, then maybe we do need new highways to protect others from us, even if other bridges collapse. If communities are threatened by business, industry and political pressure to provide new construction or they will move away, well maybe we need new construction even if bridges collapse.

WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY!  I don’t understand it. The Commandment “Thou shalt not kill” includes doing anything that might harm someone. The bridge fell down for some reason. If it could have been avoided, it would have been worth every cent and every mile of new construction not built. Maybe our biggest problem is that we can point with pride and say, “See what we built.” After maintenance and repair, I wish we could point with the same pride and say, “See what didn’t fall down.”

How do I relate this to God’s Word. We have been given talents in life. We make the decision how to use them. People see our WORKS, both good and bad, but they don’t see God’s GRACE within us as God daily reconstructs us. As we ask in faith, He wipes away our sins. Isn’t it neat to think that God constructed you once and daily wants you to come to Him for maintenance?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/10/2007

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THE TWIN CITIES TRAGEDY --
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? PART 3


The tragic collapse of the Interstate Bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul has captured the attention of a multitude of people. Tragedies take place all too frequently and each is important; each deals with people who suffer. As I write these THOUGHTS, it is not my intention to overshadow the loss of life, the pain or injury and sorrow, or the economic loss because of the disruption of traffic patterns.  My purpose is to look at these events and see what we can learn from them as we walk with God. I must also add that the information I have comes from the news media and from forwarded e-mails. Some of it may not be correct. Even so, I will still use it if it leads me to a THOUGHT I want to share.

The LONG IGNORED INSPECTION REPORT SHOWING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS is something we are all in need of learning from.  I am referring to television news reports stating that some years ago Inspectors filed a report of a need for repairs to the bridge that collapsed.

The first thing that is important to say is that I do not know if the report is true or not. Before I accept it as fact I have to ask these questions:

Who released the statement?

Was the statement released on the basis of an official document in the person’s hand or was it released to throw suspicion of fault on others?

Are the items listed in the document really the cause of the collapse?

These questions need to be asked every time we hear someone blaming someone or saying something negative about someone.

The second important consideration is, Regardless of whether the information in the report is the cause of the collapse or not, the question still remains, Why were these statements or signs of potential danger ignored? We dare not rush to judgment here because we probably have done the same thing under different circumstances:

Have you ever had a serious ache or pain that indicated major future health problems and then ignored the warnings?

Have you ever heard severe weather warnings that included not to drive on certain roads and then ignored the warnings?

Have you ever looked at your gas gauge and saw the indicator on E and ignored the warnings?

Maybe none of the above seem as serious as the bridge collapse, but even these could result in tragedies. But what about the next one?

Have you ever heard or read the Words of Jesus, “Nobody comes unto the Father but by Me,” and ignored them? If you have ignored them, you still have a chance. Referring to the Rambling Thought for yesterday, your twinkling of an eye has not yet arrived.  There is still time to make the corrections in your life that will lead you away from Eternal Death to the joys of Eternal Life.

 

Possibly the most important thing we can learn from the Tragedy in the Twin Cities is that we can’t wait until tomorrow to respond to warnings concerning either our spiritual or physical life because tomorrow may not come.

GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/010/2007

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THE TWIN CITIES TRAGEDY --
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? PART 2


The tragic collapse of the Interstate Bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul has captured the attention of a multitude of people. Tragedies take place all too frequently and each is important; each deals with people who suffer. As I write these THOUGHTS, it is not my intention to overshadow the loss of life, the pain or injury and sorrow, or the economic loss because of the disruption of traffic patterns.  My purpose is to look at these events and see what we can learn from them as we walk with God. I must also add that the information I have comes from the news media and from forwarded e-mails. Some of it may not be correct. Even so, I will still use it if it leads me to a THOUGHT I want to share.

The SUDDEN DEATH of those in this tragedy leads me to reflect on two different thoughts. I certainly join with others in prayer for the families in this time of sorrow.

People have a tendency to not think of death. They hear or read the words that St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians -- “in the twinkling of an eye, we shall all be changed” -- but think they need not worry about them for years to come. The people who died did so in a twinkling of an eye as the bridge went down. The same thing applies to heart attacks, storms, floods, traffic accidents, murders and what are often called unexplained causes. Out of this Tragedy in the Twin Cities, may we learn that tomorrow or even the next minute we may not have the chance to turn to our Loving God.

The other thought relates to how we react to those who mourn. On January 24, 1965, people around the world were able to watch via television the funeral service for Winston Churchill. On that same day a Pastor, friend of mine, conducted a funeral service for a long time church member. The television cameras allowed us to see the great crowd of people. Seventeen people attended the service for the long time church member. I am sure that many people will be present at the services for those who died in this tragedy and this is as it should be. I am also sure that there will be services in many places where there will be very few who will come to support the families. This is NOT as it should be.

Can we learn from the Tragedy in the Twin Cities that we may not have the opportunity tomorrow to accept Jesus as our Savior?  May we learn that when there is a death, no matter who the person was, no matter how the death took place, there are families mourning, hurting in sorrow, and God wants you and me to give them comfort and hope, not only in the first three days after death, but in the weeks, months and even, years to come.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/09/2007

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THE TWIN CITIES TRAGEDY --
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? PART 1


The tragic collapse of the Interstate Bridge connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul has captured the attention of a multitude of people. Tragedies take place all too frequently and each is important; each deals with people who suffer. As I write these THOUGHTS, it is not my intention to overshadow the loss of life, the pain or injury and sorrow, or the economic loss because of the disruption of traffic patterns. My purpose is to look at these events and see what we can learn from them as we walk with God. I must also add that the information I have comes from the news media and from forwarded emails. Some of it may not be correct. Even so, I will still use it if it leads me to a THOUGHT I want to share.


The FIRST RESPONDERS provide us with a lesson to be learned. Most of the time when we think of FIRST RESPONDERS, we think of people trained to respond to emergencies who can arrive before the big equipment reaches the scene. In the TWIN CITY TRAGEDY, these first responders were the people in the cars who were either on the bridge and were able to escape from their cars or people who had made it across or not yet driven onto the bridge. I have not heard many stories about how people were rescued. I have seen pictures of those helping the children from the School Bus. I am sure there are stories of some who risked their own lives to help others to safety. I am also sure that there are some who drove away as fast as they could so they would not have to get involved. I heard the story of one couple who helped a lady to safety. The lady asked the couple if they would take her home, which they did.


WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS? What would the results have been if no one responded immediately? What if everyone said that they were not trained for this and the people crying out for help would just have to wait for the professionals to arrive. Think of how much worse the panic would have been for those children on the bus and for others.


There are so many people today whose bridge of faith is crumbling and many who call themselves Christians don’t want to get involved. They say they re not trained, they don’t know the right thing to say or do. Those FIRST RESPONDERS on the bridge were not trained; they didn’t know what to do or say. THEY JUST DID and somehow people were helped. Can’t we do the same thing with those on the collapsing spiritual bridge? You don’t have to know what to say or what to do, JUST DO.


I believe that somehow God led those responders on the bridge to do the right thing, and I believe He will lead you to do the right thing for people on the spiritual bridge.


I join with multitudes who say THANK YOU, FIRST RESPONDERS for what you did to either save a life or remove a person from danger. Oh, how I hope that someone can call you a FIRST RESPONDER and thank you for saving them from falling into the depths of sin.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/08/2007

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THE IOWA DEBATES --
THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT WAS NOT ASKED


I did not watch the Republicans debate on Sunday Morning, August 5, 2007 and probably will not watch the Democrats debate on August 19, 2007.

The question that was not asked is: “How important is God in your life and how important would He be in your decisions as President?” I suppose that a couple of the candidates might say, “Not important at all.” Many would say "Very important and/or I rely on God for guidance."

My response to answers like that would be that it is a politically correct answer but not acceptable to God. The only acceptable answer for God would be one of your action of not being present for and not participating in the debate because you have chosen to ‘REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY AND KEEP IT HOLY.”

I would ask ABC why they chose the normal Sunday Morning times of Worship to present this debate. Is it because they do not care if they offend God as they tempt people to skip worship?


If you watched the debate and did not attend worship, is it because you wanted to hear promises from candidates that for the most part will not be kept? Wouldn’t you rather hear promises that will not be broken?

As you read this, you may say, “What difference does it make? We do all kinds of other things on the Sabbath? You might even be correct if you say that your Worship Service is more entertainment than anything else.

God said, “If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments.” Yes, that does include, “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy.”

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/07/2007

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HANNAH’S SOCKS


The Toledo media has been airing and printing a story concerning Hannah’s Socks. You can read the story by going to WTOL.com or The Toledo Blade.

It is an interesting story that begins two years ago when Hannah was four years old. It was Thanksgiving and she was standing by her mother who was helping to serve Thanksgiving Dinner to the homeless. Hannah was watching a man who had just come to the line for his dinner. She told her mother that the man must have cold feet because his shoes had holes and he was not wearing socks. She told her mother that she wanted to give the man her socks.

The mother could not do anything about it then, but she also did not forget about it. The next day she took Hannah to the store and bought numerous pairs of socks and she and Hannah took them to various homeless shelters to give to those who needed socks.

The story did not stop there. A year ago Hannah collected socks and others joined her so that the man’s feet would not be cold. This year Hannah’s Socks became a recognized charity. Collection points were set up, and a Picnic was held where people brought socks, made donations and enjoyed food and entertainment. The goal went from wanting to give one man her socks to a hoped for 10,000 pairs. The final results are not yet in. Hannah is now six, but what a lesson we can learn from her!

Hannah has taught us that we don’t need to be concerned about all the problems of the homeless; just take one little piece and do what we can. Then let someone else provide the shoelaces and on and on. It may not be the homeless, it may be some other cause that you can do something that would provide for one thing. Contact your favorite charity and ask:  ”What is one item that you use a lot of during the year and how much do you use?” If they give you a list, select the least expensive and start there. Ask your friends, local churches, and employees at businesses to join you. In doing so, you and those who donate develop a relationship with the charity and your gift allows the charity to use the funds saved for other needs.

If Hannah can do it, I think you can also. Is this SOMETHING THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/05-06/2007

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FLIES AND WASPS ON THE WINDOW SCREEN – PART 2


Yesterday I wrote about the flies and wasps on the window screen. I mentioned how they tried to find a way out and how they would sometimes fall victim to the cats.

Today I switch to what is on the outside of the screen. This time in place of flies and wasps, there are the moths that gather when it is dark outside and the light is turned on inside. Now the reverse takes place; these moths want to come inside while the flies and wasps wanted out. Princess and Shadow, our cats, are just as interested and try their best to get those moths. They seem to be frustrated when they pounce on the moth, only to have the screen stop them. They will sit there and look as if to say, “What happened?” They will sit there and try again and again with the same failure. The only way they can get those moths is if I remove the screen. If I do that, out the window they go and since they have never been outside, who knows what will happen to them. They are too much a part of the family to take the chance.

This reminds me of a friend that I met 49 years ago in September. I only knew him a year, but he made an impression on me. When I entered my first year at the Seminary, like all other Seminarians, I became acquainted with the staff of custodians. One of them became a friend to almost every student. He was so thankful to work at the Seminary and gave evidence of that through his hard work, his doing the extra things for the Seminary, the staff, and the students. He was thankful because he was accepting a second chance for a good life.

Every Seminary student participated in a program of basic training as a Chaplain in a Nursing Home, a hospital, a Mental Health facility, or a prison. The students in classes before mine who went to the prison on a regular basis became acquainted with this man. As visit after visit took place, a bond grew between this man and the students. In time this man was released on parole with the condition that he accept a job as a custodian that was offered by the Seminary. He was not only on parole, but he was also a recovering alcoholic. In addition to the Seminary job, he was hired to clean at some places where he was trusted and highly valued.

He would talk with us and tell us about the temptations that he faced each day and how the Seminary and AA were so helpful in turning his back against the urge to drink again. In the last week before his parole was up and he would be a free man, he had a meal with some of us. He was excited and promised to tell us how it felt to be free when we would see him the next week. He was looking forward to going to his sister's on the weekend for her birthday, and she was equally as happy as he that the parole would be lifted.

That was the last time most of us saw or talked to him. He was to be released from parole on Monday. The screen of God’s love had been there through the Seminary, AA, the parole officer, others who employed him, and many friends. Then someone removed the screen and out he went.

On Monday, the day he was to be removed from parole, we received word that he was back in prison. A couple of the Seminarians who had been closest to him made the long drive to the prison to see him and let him know that we still cared. It was a sad story. He had tried so hard and without his knowledge, someone removed the screen. It was a nice gathering at his sister’s home UNTIL someone thought it was time to celebrate the freedom that would come in two days. This someone, removed the screen by lacing the punch with bourbon. As I understand it, when he tasted it, he put it down. But then this person and possibly others encouraged him by saying, that little bit won’t hurt you.

The screen was down. It was not long before he got into a car and the police noticed him speeding. As they gave chase, he crashed into a building. Physically he was not hurt, but who can measure the mental and spiritual hurt, who can measure what he lost by returning to prison and spending more and more years behind bars.

I won’t open the screen and let the cats out.

When someone you know faces temptations, whatever they might be, please don’t open the screen by encouraging them and saying a little bit won’t matter, or even worse, God won’t care just this once. Keep the screen closed.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/02/2007

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FLIES AND WASPS ON THE WINDOW SCREEN -- PART 1


I have a room that I enter from the garage that is my “thinking room” and a work area for various projects. I do spend quite a bit of time there thinking and doing some projects that have a tendency to make a real mess. One of those is removing the sunflower seeds from the dried plant head and setting them aside for use in the bird feeders. You can imagine the mess this makes at times.

It gets hot in the garage during the summer, so I have a window next to my work table cranked open. When the garage door is open for driving the cars in and out, flies and wasps often decide they want to come in. Once the door is closed, they will look for another way out. While there are other windows in the garage, they naturally come to my open window as I believe they can sense the air currents entering there and believe they have found the way out.

It is interesting to watch them as they crawl all over the screen, up and down, side to side, seeking a way to exit. I can try to move them with a fly swatter or a yardstick but they will only go from one place on the screen to another. Seldom will they fly far enough away from the surface of the screen to go to another part of the garage.

An interesting sidelight is to watch Princess and Shadow as they get on the table and watch. Soon they are trying to get those flies and wasps. They will watch intently and then suddenly lunge, and often that is "goodbye fly." Other times the fly will begin to fly around and the cats will watch intently. ZOOM. A paw will dart out and the fly will be caught in mid-flight and it is "goodbye fly."  I get a little jealous, as sometimes I miss a fly with the fly swatter when the fly is sitting still.

What a LESSON FROM NATURE this is.  I am the fly. The screen is my sin. I look through that screen and see the freedom that I want, and I try and try to get it, but my way is blocked. God is the fly swatter or yardstick that is trying to get me to fly away from the screen to the real freedom. The freedom that is not outside the screen, but to take a step back and see that freedom is within me as God works in my life. If I keep trying and trying on my own to break through that screen of sin, I will fail as Satan will lunge or strike out and capture and destroy me. If the fly and wasp would only take the little encouragement that I give them to fly away they would be free.  If only I would hear the voice of Jesus saying, "Come unto me and Rest,” I would be free.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

08/01/2007

 

 

Comments:  FLIES AND WASPS ON THE WINDOW SCREEN -- PART 1

 

Yes, respect for our parents is so important.  We were lucky to be raised to respect our elders - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, Pastors etc.  The world would indeed be a much better place if people respected others more.
 
I also really enjoyed your article about the flies and wasps.  What a neat comparison you made to us humans in our lives with Christ.  
 
In Christ's love,

CC in Ohio

 

 

I loved the symbolism you used in the last paragraph. 

KM in Ohio

 

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RESPECT FOR PARENTS


On my calendar of special days, August 1st is designated as Respect For Parents Day. While respect for parents is something we should do every day, it is good to pause and take time to give careful thought. After all, if parents are not able to teach children to respect them, we certainly cannot have much hope for those children respecting others.

Teaching respect is more than just having children be obedient. It is setting an example of respect for the children to observe, to learn, and to imitate.

Children are punished when they show disrespect for not telling the truth. How often do they hear their parents not tell the truth when grandma asks a question?

Children are punished when they curse or swear. How many times do they hear their parents use the same language.

Parents are often heard complaining because Grandma has asked them to do something they don’t want to do. Is it any wonder that children show disrespect by complaining about things they don’t want to do?

Respect for parents is something that both children and adults need to continually work on. On Respect for Parents Day, I hope you will give it some thought.

O yes, someone always says that their parent or parents do not deserve their respect because of the terrible things they have done. That may be true. Just remember this. Each parent is a Child of God. Each parent contributed to giving you life.  Maybe the greatest thing that you can do on Respect For Parents Day is to pray that God would send the Holy Spirit to touch the life of that parent.  If you pray this over and over, it may just be that sometime that life will be touched, that God will work and live within that parent, and you would be able to proudly say, with respect, “Hi Mom” or ”Hi Dad.” With God all things are possible.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

07/31/2007

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OLD JOKES?


Some years ago I agreed to speak at local agricultural annual meeting. As usual, the ladies of the local church where the meeting would be held were planning one of their always excellent meals. The question for me was, “What would I prepare for my speech?” I made the decision to use several jokes and relate each joke to a part of my theme. I had tried this with sermons before and felt that it was effective.

I developed the sections of my speech and then began to look for the jokes. I went through book after book and could not find them. There would be families present and I wanted jokes that were acceptable for all to hear. I could not find what I needed and began to ask myself, “What happened to all the old jokes?”

I kept looking and found some older joke books and there were the ones I was seeking. I told those jokes and people made different comments after the speech: “I remember that joke from along time ago.” “We don’t hear jokes like that any more.” “I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time.” “I will remember the joke and how it related to what you said.” As I drove home I was so thankful that I remembered and told again those old jokes.

By the way, when and where do we hear the Old Bible Stories? Maybe we ought to find that Old Book, the Bible, read them again and tell them over and over. Maybe people need to hear the Old, Old Story of Jesus and His Love even more than they need to hear the Old Jokes.
 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

 

07/29-30/2007

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SOMETIMES I LEAVE A TIP, SOMETIMES I DON’T


The simple task of leaving a tip has sometimes been a problem for me. It has become even more of a problem as I now see Tip Jars or signs such as “Tips are appreciated” prominently displayed in so many locations.

Here are some things that bother me about tipping.

When I go out to eat, I am expected to leave the same tip for those who give excellent service and those who provide extremely poor service. Sometimes I leave a tip, sometimes I don’t.


When I eat at a self serve style restaurant, I am expected to leave the same tip for a person who may, at the most, refill my coffee cup. Sometimes I leave a tip, sometimes I don’t.

When I stop for an ice cream cone, there is the Tip Jar. If I don’t leave a tip about the same size as the cost of the cone, it gives the impression that I am not treating the person fairly. Sometimes I leave a tip, sometimes I don’t.

Today, many who have jobs with high salaries expect tips. In convenience stores where the clerk does nothing except total your bill, there is the sign, “Tips appreciated.” In both of these cases, I never tip.

I understand that there are some very low paid people and that tips make a big difference. In fact, tips often move these people from among the lowest paid to receiving above average income.

What I don’t understand is why I am the one responsible for rewarding some for the poor service that I receive.

I don’t understand why if I have a bill for $100.00 and you have a bill for $10.00 and we both get the same smile, the same service, why am I expected to leave a tip ten times the size of yours?


It would be wonderful if the business owner would build into the prices the amount needed to raise the employees wages to equal what he or she would receive in tips. Then it would be the responsibility of the business owner to deal with those whose service is often poor public relations.

To be real honest, Sometimes I leave a tip. MOST of the time I don’t---- the service is not worth it.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

07/27/2007

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WHAT IS IMPORTANT?


Sometimes we forget to ask the question, “What is important?” As an example, the ongoing debate over Creation. Many discussions take place and many articles are written on the subject of how the world came into being. It is not my purpose to engage in that discussion here, but just so you know, I believe that Creation is just as the Bible says in Genesis. GOD SAID and IT WAS.


My purpose is to show why I believe we must ask the question, “What is important?” concerning any subject. I learned to ask this question because of a vacation and the reading I did on that vacation. On some of our vacations we would visit some of the historical sights along the way. We would stop and all go into the museum if there was one and check to see what else would be of interest. One of these stops was at the place dedicated to the life of George Washington Carver. There was a small museum, a gift shop and a walking tour where at various stops Carver’s life was depicted. Walking tours were usually more than my physical abilities could handle so I would buy a book about the person or place while Jane would take the four children on the tour. I would usually be able to read just enough so I could enter the conversation with them as we continued our vacation drive.


The life of George Washington Carver is a biography that everyone should read. It is from his story that I learned the importance of asking the question, “What is important?” He did not debate the creation. He walked the grounds and fields of Alabama seeking agricultural answers to the poverty of many farmers. As he walked along, he might see something, stop and pick it up, and asked the important question, “God, why did you create this?” He not only would ask the question but he would ask it with the confidence that God would give him the answer. For two examples, the peanut and the clay Alabama soil; Carver came up with more uses than one could imagine and in doing so not only gave the Alabama farmer a new outlet for the peanut crop, but gave you and me many products that we use today that came from the clay soil and the peanut.


The next time you debate an issue, make sure you are debating what is important. If you are not doing what is important, you may not be doing what God wants you to do.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.
 

07/24/2007

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I’M WATCHING THE GAITHERS


As I write the RAMBLING THOUGHT, the
GAITHER HOMECOMING HOUR is on my TV screen. As one who has neither cable or a dish, I feel fortunate that there are four stations where I can receive these programs. In fact WLMB, a Christian Station In Toledo, airs these programs a minimum of seven hours a week.

Why do I take this space to write about this program? It is because I enjoy it so much and want to share it with you. I really enjoy this style of Gospel Music. It is alive and the lyrics are always meaningful and usually easy to understand.

But there is more than music. There is always comedy mixed in. It maybe the combination of the Bluegrass Music of
the Lewis Family along with the wild and funny antics of Little Roy Lewis. It may also be the stand up comedy and music of Aaron Wilburn, as well as the ongoing interactions of the regular cast of famous Gospel Singers. Then there are the talented groups such as The Easters, the Isaacs, and the Martins. When these groups sing a cappella, I almost become spellbound. There are also the great singers of yesterday, today and those who will achieve greatness tomorrow as well as inspirational music that comes from the piano when the late Anthony Burger sits down to play. As a plus, there are often guests such as Larry Gatlin, and the late Boots Randolph.

There is another reason that I use this space for the
Gaithers. There are very few programs on any Channel, other than the religious channels, that would receive a passing grade from God. If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that many programs that we watch, because of their content, lead people away from God. It is my desire to be led to Him and not away from Him.

There are a couple of other programs that I watch that have a high entertainment value, plus the message of Jesus and His Love.

If there are programs that are of high interest to you, please let me know so that I can enjoy them also.

If you can’t locate the Gaithers in your area, then I suggest their
CD’s and DVD’s. I only have one or two but I really enjoy them.

I’m watching the Gaithers and I invite you to watch them also.

 

 

07/21/2007

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TERROR ALERT


After 9/11 decisions were made to send troops to eliminate terrorism so that freedom loving people of the world would be safe. Later the decision was made to send troops to Iraq to eliminate terrorists threats to our nation. It appears that at great cost of lives and dollars, neither venture has worked. Possibly the only benefits have been to those who profit from wars.

It is not my purpose to debate if the actions and decisions in both of these continuing conflicts are right or wrong. My purpose is to ask, “What are you doing about the TERROR ALERTS?”

The Senate has just finished a debate that everyone knew in advance would be a waste of time and expense. Protests and petitions abound. Rallies for and against are widely reported in the media. TERROR ALERTS, threats and actual destruction take place all over the world and lives of those innocent people, not involved in battle, are lost.

“What are you doing about TERROR ALERTS?” You might say, “Nothing, what can I do?” You can PRAY. Some people think that it would not do any good, that it is a waste of time. It can do some good and it is not a waste of time.  God has promised that.

There are probably some terrorists that are not fully committed to the cause --  PRAY FOR THEM. Pray that God would give them the courage to walk away or to get a message to someone about what may be planned.

There are many innocent people who know things about terrorists but are afraid to speak up. PRAY that God would send His Holy Spirit upon them that they might have the courage to inform authorities of these events
.
There are terrorists in many places in our nation. PRAY that they and other terrorists might make a mistake and reveal their plans and actions.

PRAY in any way that you can that the terrorism of evil would be overcome by the goodness of God’s love.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

07/19/2007

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ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE, ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE


A NOTE FROM RON - Within the following RAMBLING THOUGHT I will make reference to Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers as well as to a Devotion that I wrote for July 13, 2007 based on Galatians 5:16-26. This Devotion carries the Title, ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE. If you click on them when they are mentioned, you will be taken to that page.

On July 13th, I wrote a Devotion under the title of
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE based on Galatians 5:16-26. Do you remember these words, from a song by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, that were made popular by Bing Crosby? - "You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative."


Ever since then, these words have been going through my mind in relationship to my Christian Life. Even more than that, these words can and should also apply to the debates over Biblical issues that take place anywhere from people in a discussion, to a gathering in a congregation or to a National Gathering of a Denomination in Convention. What are these issues? They can be wide ranging.


ON A NATIONAL SCALE:

Should Clergy living in a same sex relationship be allowed to be a Pastor of a Congregation?


Should same sex marriages be endorsed by the Church?


Is abortion in agreement with the Word of God?


Does any war receive the endorsement of God?

ON A LOCAL CONGREGATIONAL LEVEL:

Which is more important:   to draw people to worship because of the Word of God or because of the music, actions and activities offered?


Which is more important:   to have the latest in multimedia equipment or to be sure the needy are given a chance to improve their lives?


Which is more important:   to have the Pastor at meeting after meeting or having the Pastor ministering to the needs of the people of the congregation and the community?


Which is more important:   having a Pastor who makes all the calls on new people to the community and the unchurched who have lived there for years or having every member see this as a part of their response to the love of God?

ON A ONE ON ONE BASIS:

Which is more important:  ignoring people who are not like you or taking a risk and getting to know and understand them?


Which is more important:   giving to God the first from your paycheck or giving Him part of what is left over?


Which is more important:   to trust God to help you provide for your needs or rely on the lottery or other forms of gambling?


Which is more important:   having your children provided with the finest things in life or having them provided with a solid basic knowledge of God’s Word?

Many more questions could be added to the four in each category and each of these and other questions would have the two possible answers from different people. This takes place even in the Church, locally and nationally. How can this be? There is only one God, so there should only be one answer. Yet, both sides will quote from the Bible to prove they are right.


In my way of thinking, if God provides the right answer then the opposing answer must be provided by Satan. This makes the situation even more difficult because it raises the question, how do I know if I am following God or Satan? As far as I know, there is no way to figure it out. All you can do is PRAY and TRUST. 
Pray Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers each day. Particularly pay attention to these words, "Let Thy Holy Angel have charge concerning me that the wicked one have no power over me."   PRAY and TRUST!


Think of it like this:

Accentuate the positive - Let Thy Holy Angel have charge over me.


Eliminate the negative - That the wicked one has no power over me.

GOD’S PEACE.  SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

07/17/2007

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I SAW IT, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE IT!


It was a beautiful morning as I was parked in the Mall Parking Lot while drinking a cup of coffee. Some of you know that as I observe nature, people and everyday activities, I discover so much of God’s continuing love and man’s continuing rejection of that Love.

Well, it happened again this morning. A beautiful, bright red, new convertible with the top down was driven into the lot and parked just a row over from me. How it brought back desires of the past to own a bright red convertible, and like the driver of this car, enjoy the cooling breeze.

I watched the driver get out of the car. It was then that I saw what I don’t believe. As the driver walked toward the mall, the driver turned, faced the car and pressed the remote to lock the doors. Now tell me, why would you lock the doors when the convertible top is down?

It is kind of ridiculous, isn’t it? But wait a minute. Is it any more ridiculous than what many people do in Church every Sunday morning?

As an example, what about people who go into a church and pray within the words of The Lord’s Prayer “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others, Lead us not into temptation...” This can be just as much of an automatic reflex as locking a convertible when the top is down. In this case, the locking is the request to be kept from temptation, while the top down is the very fact that so often we do not even consider what sin might be in our life. The driver goes forth confidently because the door is locked not realizing that what is valuable is vulnerable. When we resume our daily life with confidence after this prayer, we do not realize that we are also vulnerable because we have not confessed our sin and maybe have not even recognized it.

The car is subject to theft and damage. We go forth from prayer to buy a lottery ticket, to anticipate the next sexually suggestive scene of a soap opera or most TV shows, to enjoy the talk shows where they attempt to shove aside faith and Christian beliefs to advance their own code of social and acceptable conduct.

The driver left the car open to thieves and vandals. It is so easy for us to leave our lives open to welcome the destruction that Satan can cause.

Sunday after Sunday people attend worship services and when they leave, how different their lives are than during that hour in church. I have seen it. I don’t want to believe it, but it is true.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

07/13/2007

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FATHER'S DAY


What did you give on Father’s Day? No, sons and daughters, I am not asking you. The question is for Fathers.

Dad’s – if your children were in the room with you, did you look at them and recall some wonderful memories? If your children now live away and could not be there, did you in your mind see them as little again and wish they were there with you?

Dad’s – as you thought about your children what did you think about?

Did you wish that you would have given them more of your time when they were small? I wish I would have.

Did you wish that you would have loved and hugged them more? I wish I would have.

Did you wish that you would have given them better advice and taught them additional concepts that would have helped them in life? I wish I would have.

Did you wish that you would have prayed with them and for them more often and been more faithful in sharing with them the story of Jesus and His Love? I wish I would have.

There are certainly many other things that you wish you would have done, and so do I.

It is not too late. That is why I ask, “What did you give on this Father’s Day? There is still time to make those wishes come true.

Just one more thing. There are Big Brother Organizations that need you to be a father figure for a child whose father is not available because of death, illness, serving in the military and even desertion. What you can give will not only help you but will cause a child’s dreams to come true.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/17-18/2007

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VINEGAR DAY


Yes, according to the list that I consult, today is Vinegar Day. My first thought was “Why would anyone want to celebrate Vinegar Day?” It took just a few minutes of thinking about vinegar and my thoughts changed to “Why not?”


Vinegar has many uses. It is used in home canning. It is used in salad dressing. It is added to water for cleaning floors and windows. It is added to food to bring out a wonderful flavor. There are many more uses that I am sure many of you could add, but this is enough to show vinegar has many uses. In case you are interested, and even if you are not, my favorite use of vinegar on food is to take a big scoop of mashed potatoes and put on plenty of butter. Cover that with fresh cooked spinach and dribble vinegar over the pile. Then kind of mix it all up, take a forkful and enjoy.


In many homes when vinegar is purchased it is kept in the back corner of a shelf or in a utility room closet. People know where it is, but seldom need to use it. Maybe this is because they don’t realize how many uses there are for vinegar.


Does that remind you of something else? In many homes the only use for the Bible is to be placed on a table or at the end of a bookcase shelf. In case someone would need it for something else, they know where it is, but they seldom need to use it. Maybe this is because they don’t realize how many uses there are for the Bible.


On this VINEGAR DAY, find that jug of vinegar, dust it off, and think of the way it might be used in your life. While you are doing that, why don’t you get the Bible, dust it off and consider how many ways it can be used in your life.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/16/2007

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RUTH BELL GRAHAM

 

A Child of God, 1920 - 2007


Many are sad as they have learned of the death of Ruth Bell Graham. Much has been said about her: Born in the Mission Fields to Missionary parents. One who desired to be a Missionary herself. She married Billy Graham. Mother of children. Dedicated to the ministry of Billy Graham. Leader in outstanding Christian Service to many and varied types of people.


I could write many paragraphs about Mrs. Graham. Instead of reading what I might have written, I encourage you to do a search on RUTH BELL GRAHAM. Look at several aspects of her life. Read of what she did. Ask yourself what you can learn from it. Give thanks to God not only for how her faith has touched others in the past BUT ALSO how the stories of her faith will continue to touch many in the future.


Many words could be used to describe Mrs. Graham, but I prefer:

 

 

 

06/15/2007

 

FLAG DAY


Today is Flag Day. When I run some errands later, I hope that I see many, many flags that people have flying in front of their homes and businesses. My neighbor has erected a flagpole and what a joy it is to look over there and see that flag flying each day.

I hope you will take time to search the web and discover facts and stories about the flag that maybe you have forgotten or have never known.

Instead of writing about the flag I want to encourage you to do something about the flag. Here is a project for an individual or a group The group might be a veterans organization, a church group, maybe a Scout or 4-H or other youth groups, and maybe just a bunch of neighbors and friends --Any kind of a group.

THE GOAL: To help as many people as possible to be able to display an outside Flag by next Flag Day.

WHAT DO YOU NEED? You need IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY to find ways to encourage people to display the flag. It might be through letters to the Editor; it might be through clever slogans or posters. It could also be by one line statements that you slip into your conversations. The best way of all is by the pride you show in displaying the flag at your own home, apartment, or condo.

WHAT WOULD THE COSTS BE? Not a cent, as there is nothing to buy and nothing to sell, only something to give. You give your thankfulness for living in a nation of Freedom when you and a growing number of others fly the flag that represents that freedom.

Just one more thing. When you fly that flag, please consider flying the Christian Flag right along with it.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/14/2007

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WHAT HAPPENED TO HONESTY – IN SPORTSMANSHIP?


I do not attend local sporting events so these comments are based on the college and professional games that I watch on TV. As an additional disclaimer, my comments do not apply to all sports. As an example, golf is probably a sport where it is the most difficult to be dishonest.

I have always believed that the responsibility of a coach was to not only help each player achieve the most from the talents the player has, but also to help that player become a well rounded citizen and achieve in the world outside of sports. At one time, I enjoyed watching as many TV sports presentations as possible. That is no longer the case, and here are examples of my reasoning.

In baseball, the umpire calls a strike or calls a player out at one of the bases. The player argues. The coach argues. The pitcher and the catcher know that it was not a strike, but do they say something? NO. The fielder knows that the foot was not on the bag or that the tag was missed, but do they say something? NO.

In auto racing, a driver deliberately bumps another driver causing that driver to crash. The official does not call it deliberate. The driver knows that it was done on purpose but does the driver say something? NO.

In football, a spectacular catch is made and the official calls it a completed pass. The opposing coach challenges the call with the belief that the ball hit the ground before it was caught. The review is made and because of inconclusive evidence the call stands. The receiver knows that he trapped the ball and did not catch it, but does he say something? NO.

Often after these situations and many other examples that could be shared, the broadcasters will state that the call the official made was wrong. At times the newspaper and TV reports will say that had the decision of the official been correct, the outcome of the game would have changed.

If parents try to teach their children to be honest, to play by the rules, why do we accept this kind of behavior and hold these teams, coaches and athletes in such high esteem? Is honesty only acceptable if it is in our favor? Whatever happened to: “It is not whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game?”

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/13/2007

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WHAT WOULD DETECTIVE SERGEANT JOE FRIDAY

SAY IF SOMEONE SAID,
“WAS IT TUESDAY? OR WAS IT WEDNESDAY?”


Pastors hear many conversations over the years. I have heard and been included in many groups of friends where the conversation concerned a person who had just passed away. Mr. and Mrs. A are talking to Mr. and Mrs. B about Mr. C who died two days ago. Mr. A. is telling Mr. and Mrs. B that he had just talked to Mr. C on Tuesday, then Mr. A pauses, turns to Mrs. A and asks her, “or was it Wednesday?” At this point Mr. and Mrs. A discuss what they were doing Tuesday and Wednesday so they can figure out when Mr. A talked to Mr. C. My question is, ‘WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?”

Mr. A, in saying that he talked to Mr. C, is simply trying to prove that Mr. C was alive either three or four days ago which is rather obvious as everybody knows that Mr. C died two days ago. What Mr. and Mrs. B really want to know is, ”What did Mr. C have to say?” It really does not make any difference which day it was. Sometimes I wonder if Mr. A. is just trying to impress Mr. and Mrs. B. about how busy he and his wife are.

At other times I would like to quote Detective Sergeant Joe Friday, Badge 714 of DRAGNET, who is given credit for the phrase, “Just the facts, Ma’am.”


This kind of a stumbling response bothers me even more when I hear people give “was it Tuesday or Wednesday” kind of answers to political or religious questions. We can’t give answers for the purpose of impressing others as to what we do or what we think we know, we can’t give answers designed to what they want to hear, if it is not a correct answer. How many politicians have raised millions of dollars with Tuesday - Wednesday types of answers? How many pastors have sent people away with false hopes? Some would say, What difference does it make as long as the people feel good.


It does make a difference. Like Joe Friday, I say Mr. or Ms. Politician, just the facts, please; the same with you, proclaimer of God’s Word.  Just the facts, please. The facts are what I need. It might hurt to hear them, but they are what I need.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/12/2007

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I LOVE BANANA SPLITS


Today and tomorrow are BANANA SPLIT DAYS according to my calendar. The third job that I ever had was as a Soda Jerk at the Hollywood Ice Cream Store in Benson, an area at that time the west edge of Omaha, Nebraska. I was fifteen when I started and I really liked making banana splits, but I enjoyed eating them even more. To slice that banana length way and place it in the boat. Then one scoop each of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Add to that the three toppings and the nuts and for you I would add the whipped cream and the cherry. I preferred not to have that part on mine. When you were about finished, in the bottom of the dish was the most delicious part. The melted ice cream from the three flavors mixed together from the remainder of the three toppings. Nothing could be better, I thought then and I still do.

Of course there is a lesson in that. God needed a bigger dish than a banana split boat. He made it and called it the Earth. It took far more than three items to fill it so he took people of every nationality, every color and every creed and placed them in the Earth, slowly but surely. He began with two and called them Adam and Eve. As the dish, called Earth, filled, He added toppings of love, sharing, peace and worship. God knew that as all of this melted together, it would be something very special. For some reason, one person in the boat did not like to share and did not want peace. This person finally was able to throw out peace and for good measure got rid of love also. That beautiful dish called Earth was now ruined just a surely as my banana split would be ruined if two dips of ice cream would be removed.

We know that Earth continues a downward spiral because peace and love have been removed. We know that, because we live here.

Celebrate banana split day and as you eat that still enticing dish, think of what you can do to help bring peace and love back to earth.

HAPPY BANANA SPLIT DAY. If you have one, think of me.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/08/2007

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OUR BLACKTOP WAS RESEALED AGAIN


Every two years we receive a card from the paving company informing us that it is once again time to reseal our blacktop driveway. Because I want to keep my driveway in good condition, I send the card back accepting their price and wait for the crew to arrive. When they come, they do a great job. First they trim the grass from the sides of our long and circular blacktop; they follow this with a blower so that the surface is free of dirt and grass; next they inspect all cracks and fill them with the materials that bind the blacktop back together; and finally they spray on the black sealant. When the job is finished, what a remarkable change. The dirt, the cracks, the weeds along the edge, and the dirty gray/black color is gone. Now we see a glistening black that covers all of the imperfections that were there. As the crew leaves, I know that in two years we will receive another reminder to have it resealed again. In addition, in a few days we will receive a large bill for the work they did.


Isn’t this similar to what Jesus does for us with one or two differences?


Jesus looks at us and sees the dirty stains from our sins and He sees the cracks that Satan has caused so that evil thoughts, words, and deeds can creep in and expand.


Jesus sends a reminder through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes this reminder comes through a random thought and other times from a twinge of conscience.


We acknowledge the reminder and through prayer ask God to do the resealing to keep Satan from making more inroads. In our prayers we ask for forgiveness.


Jesus hears our prayer, our pleas for forgiveness and strength. Through the Blood of Jesus, shed on the Cross, He washed us whiter than snow. The sins are forgiven, the cracks are closed and all is well.


Now the differences:


We can’t wait two years. Each moment Satan is seeking to break through into our lives. Each day we need to be cleansed, to be resealed.


We don’t receive a bill. The cost was paid once and for all by Jesus when He died for our sins.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/06/2007

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PROMISES


On the DEVOTION page for today I have written on the PROMISE of Salvation that God gave to Abraham.  As I wrote, I began to think about PROMISES today.  A PROMISE should be something that when it is stated, it should be kept. Then I think of promises that I have heard that have not been kept. So many promises seem to be just words with no meaning. Unfortunately, some of these broken promises really can hurt people.

As examples:

Parents have you ever promised something to a child just to get the child to quit bothering you? If so, did you always fulfill that promise?

When you have attended a visitation at a Funeral Home, have you ever told a grieving family member that you will visit them at their home next week or next month? Did you make that visit?

When you have sent a Birthday Card or a Get Well Card to someone who is elderly, or who lives alone, or is in a Nursing Home, have you included a note saying that you will stop by to visit them? Did you make that visit?

That child, that grieving family member, and that sick, lonely or elderly person may have been deeply hurt if you did not keep your promise. This is not a guess on my part; this is what I have been told on numerous occasions--how much it hurts.  If you have made promises and not kept them, I wish you could have stood with me at a bedside and heard the person say, “_____________ said she was coming to see me, but she hasn’t.  Do you know if she is okay? I'm worried about her since she has not been here.” These words were accompanied by tears gently sliding down this caring face.

As God’s people, let us be sure that we are going to keep a promise before we make one. By the way, this applies to promises that we make to God as well.

May our PROMISES never cause hurt and sorrow because we break them.

May our PROMISES always bring the joy and LOVE of Christ because we keep them.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/05/2007

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WHAT DID THE CHILDREN LEARN IN SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK?


If you would ask children what they learned in Sunday School this week, an ever-growing number of them would probably say, "Nothing." That might be a proper answer, but not a correct response.


With the start of the Summer months, an ever-growing number of children are denied the opportunity to attend Sunday School during these months. A Summer Worship schedule is enacted so that Worship will be at an earlier hour. Sometimes an early and late service are combined at a time that is satisfactory to most worshipers. As a result Sunday School is "on vacation" until September. In places where there is not Sunday School during the summer, the answer "Nothing" may be a proper answer, but not the correct one.


Without saying a word, we are teaching our children a very damaging lesson when we eliminate Sunday School during the summer. Here is what I believe we are teaching:


We are teaching them to disobey two Commandments, "Thou shalt have no other god’s before Me," and "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy." We are saying that our leisure needs are more important than our Spiritual needs. People often ask why youth seem to disappear from the church in their teen years. It seems to me that we are teaching them that God is not that important when we cancel Sunday School for the summer. As a result, if they have something better to do on the Sabbath, even if it is sleeping late, why not do it?


We are teaching them that it is okay to do Christian Service as long as it does not interfere with our enjoyment of daily life in the world. Often the reason given for not having Sunday School is that the teachers need a vacation. Certainly, it is right that a teacher might be gone for a Sunday or two while being away on Vacation, but I don’t recall any time where God called someone to serve Him and then said "just do it when it does not conflict with your daily schedule."


We are teaching that being a Christian is not any different than belonging to any other organization. It is as if we are teaching: Pay your dues, Come to meetings once in awhile, and Help out when you can. This teaches salvation by WORKS which is in total opposition to Scripture.


Will you do what you can to be sure that in future years your church continues to offer Summer Sunday School, or if you do not have it now, to make it available next year? We have such little time to share our faith with the children. Let us not waste it. Let us make sure that they can see how faith drives us to tell them the story of Jesus and His Love. Let’s make sure that as we teach, the children will know that we are teaching because it is a joy to serve God.


How does this verse fit with Not having Sunday School in the Summer: "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, For of such is the kingdom of Heaven?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/03-04/2007

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THE SIMPSONS AND SPRINGFIELD, MINNESOTA


I want to publicly congratulate the officials and people of Springfield, Minnesota. Recent news reports state that they have said No to an invitation to be among the Springfields eligible to have the title of the honorary Hometown of the Simpsons. From the comment that I read, it seemed that these fine folks wanted nothing to do with associating their name with those who live the life style of the TV Simpsons and soon to be Simpsons of the movies.


I am sure that there will be many Springfields who will do everything they can to receive this Simpson Hometown designation. They will only be looking at the possible economic windfall that could possibly come their way. That is too bad when we push moral values aside for the sake of the dollar. If any of these communities want to endorse and thereby accept the Simpson’s moral values, then they had better increase their law enforcement budget because they will need it. I wonder what Abraham Lincoln would have said about his Springfield, Illinois seeking the designation.


I wonder what Harry S. Truman would have said about Springfield, Missouri seeking the designation.


I encourage and urge all of the other Springfields to join with Springfield, Minnesota, and decline the invitation to lower their standards.


By the way, I think I know what God would say – "You take away the right to pray in certain places, you remove pictures and writings that relate to me from public buildings, and now you endorse a lifestyle and actions that go against my Teachings." How close are we getting to hearing God say, "This cannot go on any longer; I am sending my Son, Jesus, back to gather the few faithful and return with them to me."


THANK YOU, SPRINGFIELD, MINNESOTA!


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/02/2007

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NATIONAL PEN PAL DAY


Today is National Pen Pal Day. It might even be International Pen Pal Day, but my calendar didn’t say that. I never had a Pen Pal. I wish I would have had one. I can remember classmates talking about letters they received from Pen Pals, and it always sounded interesting. Some Pen Pals lived in other countries and others a State or two away. Some Pen Pals wrote to one another for a lifetime.


I wonder if it is the Internet and e-mail that has cut down on the number of Pen Pals. A couple of times another person and I have decided we would write to each other via e-mail on a regular basis. It started out fine. I would write or receive an e-mail and the process would begin. Because people usually don’t send long letters via e-mail, the messages would be short. The message would be received instantly and possibly already drafted and returned within the hour. Now, what do you do?


That was not a question when Pen Pals sent hand written or typed letters though the regular mail. The writer might spend a day or two writing the letter as thoughts of another thing to say popped into their head. The letter would be mailed and it was accepted that it might be many days, even weeks before you received a reply. All the time of waiting, you kept thinking of things to say in the next letter.


When the reply finally came, you read it over and over and thought about different things that were in the letter that you wanted respond to. If your Pen Pal lived in another country, you were even excited about the stamps for your collection or the stamp collection of a friend.


Would you consider being a Pen Pal? I don’t have any names and addresses to send to you. But here are some suggestions:


Contact your Red Cross Office and ask for the name and address of a person in the Armed Services who would like to receive letters.


I have a friend who regularly writes to a person in Prison. Contact the Office of the Chaplain at any large Prison.


There are people in Nursing Homes who seldom receive letters. Contact the Administrator or Activities Director.


You may even have a friend who lives far away with whom you have lost contact.


Some of these people may not be able to respond, but they really need a Pen Pal.

 

Could this be SOMETHING THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

06/01/2007

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MAY FLOWERS


I can’t let the month of May end without writing about the flowers that grow in May after the April showers. What a joy to see the flowers that my wife just planted receive a drink of water and in a very short time lift their heads and spread their petals. It is almost as if they are preening themselves and saying to us, "Look, see how beautiful I am."


It is equally thrilling to look for those plants that emerge year after year. To watch them break through the hard soil, to see the green foliage contrast with the earth tones and finally to see the color that brightens the eyes of the beholder even more.


These May flowers are more than just something to look at. If we don’t hear them speak to us, we miss so much. No, they can’t speak English or any other language, but they can say so much.


At one church, when talking with some members, I commented on the well constructed flower beds on the property. I did not mention the sad looking contents of the flower and weed bed. The people probably knew what I was thinking. One said to me that there was a lady who had taken it upon herself to care for the flower beds. She and some of the church trustees brought in excellent soil. She purchased a few plants and when people saw what she was doing, they purchased some additional plants that she suggested. The rest of the task was in her care. She would come and water as often as needed. When people came to church on Sunday morning there was not a weed to be seen and the shrubs always looked as it they had a trim for Sunday Morning.


I could not understand why the flower beds looked as neglected as they did until I was told that the poor health did not allow the lady to do this labor of love anymore. That was sad. The flowers were speaking to all who passed by. While the lady was giving the flower beds the tender, loving care, they were saying, "Come on in, here is a place where the weeds of sin will be taken away, where you will receive the Living Water of Life and where there is one who will watch over you and respond to your every need." Those voices of Praise are silenced and the drooping flowers in the dry soil, surrounded by weeds, have an equally important message - "Keep on going, don’t bother to stop, there is not anyone here who cares."


Are the flower beds around your church inviting people to come in or are they sending them on their way? Could this be "SOMETHING THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?"


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/31/2007

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MEMORIAL DAY


Today is the traditional Memorial Day. I don’t remember what year the change was made to have Memorial Day the last Monday in May. You can call me old fashioned but I miss having Memorial Day on a different day of the week each year.


When we were serving our first congregation in Chatfield (Crawford County), Ohio, Memorial Day was always a special day. We did not have any Special Services or Programs in our small village. On Memorial Day morning, the cemetery surrounding our church would be filled with people bringing flowers to decorate the graves and to remember their loved ones. People would greet one another and share individual memories. There would be laughs when funny stories would be told about those who had passed away. There would be tears shed when precious memories were recalled and talked about. I wonder if maybe there was more remembering with those informal and unplanned gatherings that there is today with the well planned programs.


In the early afternoon you could walk up the street and as you passed each house, the broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 could be heard. At our house, the radio would be loud enough for me to hear it outside where I would be trimming the grass that grew intertwined in the fence that kept our German Shepherd from roaming the neighborhood. Neighbors would be working outside also. As the race drew near to the final ten or so laps, one or more of the neighbors would appear and we would sit and listen while having something cold to drink.


What enjoyable times those were. Today with the three day weekend, I wonder how much attention we really give to Memorial Day. Usually the question is: Where are you going for the weekend? OR are you having a party? I wonder if anyone was asked this year, "How are you going to remember your loved ones?"


Do you suppose it was easier to "remember" when it was just a day and not a weekend?"


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/30/2007

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WHO CHANGED THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD "COMIC?"


In the COMICS section of the May 27th issue of the
DEFIANCE CRESCENT-NEWS, was a very meaningful comic strip. It was "BC" by Johnny Hart. In this strip, The cartoonist pays a Memorial Day tribute to those of the past who have provided us with many enjoyable moments.


At home we called them comics or sometimes we asked where the section was that had the "funnies." After church on Sundays, my sister and I would walk a block to Grund Pharmacy. While dad would be buying his weekly supply of cigars, my sister and I would each be allowed to pick out one comic book, or as we sometimes called them "funny books."


Even then, when comic books cost ten cents each, some of them were no longer funny books. Dick Tracy, Superman, Batman and Robin and those of you who might be collectors could list many more that were available in the late 40’s.


Today, they are still called COMICS but someone has changed the definition of the word, COMIC. Today in the Comic Book Section or in the comic strips in the paper we can find violence, we can find allusions to various lifestyles, we can find great publicity for various medical concerns, we can find ongoing soap operas in print. I am proud that our local paper,
DEFIANCE CRESCENT-NEWS still carries just comics, the funnies.


I am not arguing that these non-funny publications should not be printed. That is freedom of the Press. I am suggesting that our papers might want to have all the "funny" strips in one place and the rest in another, and have them in two separate places on the display rack where they are sold.


Let us let the comics be FUNNY and let’s call the rest something else. Any suggestions for a name for the non-funny group?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/29/2007

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I WISH YOU A POWERFUL PENTECOST!


“I wish you a Powerful Pentecost,” Bishop Reginald Holle would tell members of the Michigan District of The American Lutheran Church. He did this year after year. He would tell us that just as we wish people Merry Christmas or Happy Easter, we should also wish them a Powerful Pentecost. I have a feeling that Bishop Holle was disappointed that his campaign for a Powerful Pentecost never caught on.

While I never did make an effort to spread the idea, it is evident that the thought has stuck with me over the years or I would not be writing about it now. It seems that the older I get, and the more THOUGHTS and DEVOTIONS that I try to write, the better and clearer I see the role of the Holy Spirit in my life of faith.

I wonder what would happen if each of us prayed that the power of the Holy Spirit would take over our lives and lead us.

I wonder what would happen if we allowed the Holy Spirit to set the limits on what we can do as God’s Children rather than living within the limits we set on ourselves.

I remember sitting at the table at my grandparents farm home. There were six of us eating at the table. My grandmother had fried eggs and probably had potatoes, toast and so forth. The eggs had just come from the nest and the food had been prepared on the cook stove. We passed the salt and pepper around . My grandfather took the shaker, tipped it and shook and shook that shaker. Finally, in a little disgust, he said, “I know there is pepper in here and I am going to get it out and he started shaking the shaker again. I don’t know if it was my sister or me, said, “Grandpa, you are shaking the salt shaker.”

We are "shaking the wrong shaker" when we try to legislate and negotiate everything from peace to lifestyles. We can shake and shake and shake to little or no avail. It is only when we take the shaker marked Holy Spirit and let the Spirit have free reign in our lives, that the world will ever find peace.

How blessed I am to know that the power of the Holy Spirit is with me. I want you to have that same Blessing. That is why I wish you a POWERFUL PENTECOST!

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/27-28/2007

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LAWS CAN BE REPEALED


Many times I have no idea where the subject for my THOUGHTS come from. That is the case with this one. I started thinking about the laws that are either being debated or have been recently been voted on by local, state, and federal elected officials. Some decisions have received great support while others have been received with shouts of complaint and even disbelief.

The usual response is that the decision was made, and now we have to live with it. This should not be the response of Christian People if the action infringes on the legitimate rights of the people. Laws can be repealed.

The interesting thing to me is that usually the only ones who believe that laws can be repealed and act on their belief, are those who propose an issue and are defeated. In this case, the vote says it is the law that this will not be enacted. It might be a tax levy or something else. In most cases the issue will be on the next ballot and the next one until it is passed. Then the law that said “No” is repealed.

It happens the other way also. The elected officials of a county enacted a law to increase the local Sales Tax. The voters placed an issue on the next ballot to repeal the tax increase, and it passed. Similar actions are rare but they do take place at all levels of government. The most well known is probably Prohibition.

The point of this THOUGHT is not to speak against any one issue. Rather, it is a call to action for Christians who are interested in the political process; a call to step forward and assist those who want to respond to laws that are in opposition to that which is pleasing to God.

To be silent is to approve.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/26/2007

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WORTHLESS KEYS AND WORTHLESS PRAYERS


Are there such things as worthless keys and worthless prayers? I believe that there are. Most people would agree that there are all kinds of worthless keys in drawers, boxes, toward the back of a shelf, or in a box of odds and ends. These are the keys that you have no idea what they are for, but you don’t want to throw them out. You know that if you do, the next day you will find something that is locked, and one of those worthless keys would have opened it. As to the prayers, most people would say that there is no such thing as a worthless prayer. After all, we have been taught that no prayer is too small, no prayer is unimportant, and therefore no prayer is worthless.


I believe some prayers are worthless, and we need to be aware. I watch very little TV, but one program I try not to miss is the Gaither Gospel Homecoming Hour. I don’t have cable or satellite, just the antenna reaching high toward the sky. We do receive three or four channels that have the Gaithers as part of their programming schedule. One of my favorite songs is sung by the late Jake Hess***. Hearing this song again today is what moved me to write about worthless prayers. I do not know who wrote the words and lyrics or when it was written. The opening line is this, "Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door."


I repeat that line again so you can think about it, "Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door." Now lets take the key and the prayer. If all that you do is insert the key into the lock, what good does it do? If all that you do is say a prayer, what good does it do? If you don’t have the faith to believe that when you turn the key, it will unlock the door, the key is worthless because you will not turn it. If you don’t have the faith to believe that God will hear and answer your prayer when you offer it, the prayer is worthless.


Prayer takes more than just saying the words of a prayer you were taught long ago or a prayer from your own words. Some people say that Jesus says, "ASK." These same people omit the fact that Jesus said, what ever you ask IN MY NAME. They forget that Jesus did not just say ASK, He added SEEK and KNOCK.


Inserting a key and believing that it will work when you turn it is a natural thing. You have done it over and over again and you KNOW it works. Why is it that for so many people, the same confidence is not there when it comes to prayer? We have probably prayed enough and possibly it has become so natural that we don’t even think about it. When your family offers prayer before a meal, a short time after you have prayed has anyone ever asked the question, Did we pray?


Yes, Prayer is the Key to Heaven, but without Faith you have a worthless Key and a worthless Prayer.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/25/2007

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***  Faith Unlocks The Door / God Takes Good Care Of Me / Climbing Higher And Higher / Then I Met The Master by Bill & Gloria Gaither

 

 

SOME CHARITIES ARE DOWN RIGHT RUDE!


I was privileged to spend the last seventeen years of my ministry, before retirement, as a Fundraiser for the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy. Filling is a Lutheran-related Home for the Severely and Profoundly Mentally Retarded Children and Adults, located at Napoleon, Ohio.


I believe and know that almost all Charitable Institutions and Organizations need gifts to operate to their highest ability. I know that costs rise and government funding, if any, does not keep pace. I know that many Fundraisers keep the highest standards of ethics, while to others the only object is to get the dollar no matter how they do it.


SOME CHARITIES ARE DOWN RIGHT RUDE. Unfortunately they make it difficult for others to receive gifts. There are two things that I think are very rude. One is to use the telephone to solicit gifts. The second is to not listen to the person they call. To explain what I mean, let me take you step by step through a call I just received.

(1.) The caller calls me by name and says this is the (Name of Charity). This sounds like a nationally know charity, BUT it may not be. There are many fake charities that use names very similar to the REAL ONES. I have no address to check or anyway to verify the charity.


(2.) They thank me for my previous generous support. I know that I have never given to this charity.


(3.) They tell me that they are not asking for a gift from me, only to have me spend less than an hour and mail donation letters to five people who live near me, They will supply the materials, and they are sure it is okay to send them to me. I always say NO, even if I l know it is a legitimate charity.


(4.) The good Charities will respond to my NO, by saying thank you and they hope I will support them in the future. This one did not, she kept on reading her script no matter how many times I said No.


(5.) This fund raiser was far more interested in the dollars she would make by adding my name to the list of those who said, yes, than she was in respecting my feelings.

NOTE - If I had accepted and this was not a legitimate charity, I would be participating in fraud.


SOME CHARITIES CAN BE DOWN RIGHT RUDE when they bother me at home and do not show me any respect as they ignore my answer and keep on reading their script. What a sad waste of my time and their money. That’s right, you guessed it, they will not be getting a gift from me.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/24/2007

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NATIONAL SMILE MONTH


I don’t know who establishes these months dedicated to a specific cause, action, or idea. I have never paid much attention to them when I have heard them listed on radio or read the list in a remote part of the paper. Since I have started looking at them for ideas for these THOUGHTS, I have discovered some of them deserve our attention.


At a quick glance at NATIONAL SMILE MONTH, my first impression was everyone smiles; why do we need a month for this? Then I began to think about people and, YES, there are some people who do not smile, at least not in public.


There is the "I am so miserable, and if I don’t smile, people will know it," kind of a person.


There is the "I want to be left alone, and if I don’t smile people will leave me alone" kind of a person.


Then there are those people who have no respect for themselves, who really don’t like themselves, and they don’t smile because they don’t want anyone to accidentally like them.


These are sad situations. As Christians, we should not allow this to happen.


No, we can’t force people to smile.


But, we can smile at them, We can make it a point to talk to them. We MUST love them – for the Lord has said we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.


Everybody needs a smile. Be sure to take a bushel of smiles with you wherever you go so that when you give a smile to someone, you have another ready to give to the next person.


It is a frightening fact that a smile you give could not only change a life, it could very well SAVE a life.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/23/2007

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NATIONAL BACKYARD GAMES WEEK


National Backyard Games Week is May 21 - 28. I do not know who or which group is responsible for designating this week to highlight Backyard Games. I do know that when I saw this listing on the calendar, it brought back wonderful memories. It also brought some questions to my mind.


I remember hours spent playing croquet. Not only did we play it at home, but hours would be spent at croquet when our family went to visit friends or relatives. There were also the horseshoe pits that were a permanent part of many back yards. To hear the clang of the horseshoe hitting the steel stake was a sign that a good time was in progress. As you would glance at yards as you drove by, a badminton net seemed to be in very many yards, just waiting for the next players. If the yard was big enough, there would be a volleyball court as well. Just listing these few, bring back pleasant memories.


Yes, there were many other backyard games, some were even developed by a family seeking to find new and different things to do. The most important thing is that these Backyard Games did so much to strengthen families. It is known that the families that pray together, stay together; if you substitute the word play for pray, you also find strong families.


I don’t hear much about people playing croquet, badminton, volleyball or pitching horseshoes in their back yard any more. Have we become too busy? Are other things more important? I wonder what would happen if families and friends spent a little time playing Backyard Games?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/22/2007

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THE TRIDENTINE MASS


I read an article in the paper that stated the Pope has some thoughts on the status of the TRIDENTINE MASS. As often happens to me, I read an article and when I want to write something about it, I can’t find it for the exact quotes.

While serving Montclair Lutheran Congregation in Denver in the late 60’s, I had an excellent relationship with the Pastors of all neighboring denominations. We cared for and about each other, and it was a sad day when one of the congregations held a last service and closed their doors for the last time. It wasn’t many weeks before there were many cars in the church parking lot and along the side street. It was not on a Sunday Morning; it was Sunday evening. None of the Pastors in the area had any idea of what was going on.

Some years before this, the Vatican Council was held and many changes were made within the Roman Catholic Church. One of the most significant was that the Mass would now be in the language of the people and not in Latin. It was a struggle for many members of the Catholic Faith to accept this new style of Worship. As time went by, an order was issued by the Vatican that a priest could no longer offer the Mass in Latin; it must be in the language of the people. Some could not accept this order.

Now we have a church that is for sale and a group of people who want the Tridentine Mass (The Mass that is in Latin in which the priest is facing the altar and the congregation has very little participation). The other clergy and I found out that people who wanted the Tridentine Mass not only found a vacant church for sale, but they also found a priest who also believed that it was wrong to deny the people the Mass in Latin. This priest traveled many miles each week to secretly serve these believers. Week after week we saw more and more cars as people flocked to this Mass.

Now back to the article I was reading. The Pope is giving hope to the people that the TRIDENTINE MASS may once again be a proper form of Worship in the Catholic Church. He also made the statement that not all of the rulings that were enacted after the Vatican Council were true to the intent of the Council.

Not as a Lutheran, but as a Christian, I salute the Pope for making it possible for the faithful to find the peace that they seek by worshiping with the Latin language.

To me this is a step in the right direction, to help people find the quiet peace, yet majestic wonder of Worship, that served them well for centuries. It is far better to go back and reclaim that which touched the hearts of people rather than to follow today's trend of "what can we do to entertain them?" Worship is not something to enjoy – it is a verb that indicates we are doing something. We are giving God praise and at the same time seeking His forgiveness and guidance.

My thanks to the Pope for setting aside the whims of the world and opening the doors to the TRIDENTINE MASS for those who find this Mass their most meaningful way of worship.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/20-21/2007

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ARMED FORCES DAY


Today is armed Forces Day. Unfortunately, this day does not receive a lot of Press coverage in advance. It should. When we compare the celebration of Armed Forces Day to Memorial Day or Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day falls short. It should not be that way.


While it is important that we remember and give thanks for those who have defended our freedom in previous wars by giving their time, by being wounded, and by giving the ultimate gift, their very lives, it is equally, if not more important, that we honor those who are presently serving.


Is there an Armed Forces Day Parade where you live? If so, go, and watch, and by your presence say "thanks," not only to those who are serving far away, but to those who have just returned home. If there are families of military personnel at the Parade, how will they feel depending on if the crowd is large or small? You can make a difference with your presence being a visible THANK YOU.


Does your local Red Cross Chapter or another organization have a "Write a Letter" program? This is where you write a letter, not addressed to a particular person, You just write as if you were writing to a long time friend. Talk about the weather, what good things are going on where you live, about your favorite activities, sports teams, whatever. Write about how thankful you are that the person is there for our defense and freedom. Let them know that you are praying for them. Take the letter to the Red Cross or sponsoring organization, and they will see that it is delivered to a member of the Armed Forces. Some who have received these letters have carried them with them and read them over and over. This is a little way to say a big THANK YOU.


Discover new and innovative, but simple ways, that you can say THANK YOU to a person serving away from home, a person in the Reserves, or one who has just returned home. Don’t forget their families because sometimes saying thanks to the families is a way of saying thanks to the person serving.


ARMED FORCES DAY.  May the observance this year be better than last year, and may next year be even better.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/19/2007

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WHERE ARE THE FLAGS?


When I drive to Defiance, I pass a section of box stores that have been built and opened in the last few years. In the same area are new banks and motels as well as businesses that have been there for many years. One thing struck me as I drove – except for the banks and one box store, there were no United States Flags. I wonder why that is.


Before I drove in, I had either read or heard that Saturday is Armed Forces Day. With all of the political talk and all of the discussion on the street about our involvement in Iraq, there is always support for the men and women of our Armed Forces. If all of the talk is there, if all of the support is there, why aren’t the Flags flying showing our support? I did see some flag poles without flags in front of businesses and at private homes.


Maybe it is time to ask the business owner or manager, "Why don’t you have a Flag flying proudly outside?" While you are at the store, check to see if they sell flags. If they do, look at them and see where they are made. If they are made in a foreign country, in a nice way, tell the owner or manager that you think it is a disgrace to sell American Flags that are not American made.


Don’t forget that tomorrow is Armed Forces Day. If you have a Flag, display it. Remind others to fly their flags. Above all, pray for the men and women at home or overseas who are daily seeking to preserve your freedom and mine.


Where are the flags? I hope they are flying high and proudly.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/18/2007

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ASCENSION DAY -- SOME ASK, WHAT IS THAT?


Yes, today is Ascension Day, a major Festival in the Church Year. To my thinking, it is a tragedy that so few people know when Ascension Day is and why it is important. To add to this, the Church Year Calendar that most denominations use has changed the name of the following Sunday from the Sunday after the Ascension to the 7th Sunday of Easter. Even more disappointing to me is that fewer and fewer congregations offer either Ascension Eve or Ascension Day Worship Services. The reason given for dropping these Services is that fewer and fewer people were attending. Whatever happened to "Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them?"


In our daily life, we can remember and observe many important days when people left us. Maybe it was just for a short time such as a flight into space, to enter a hospital or to take a vacation. We look back and remember and that makes our looking forward to their return even more meaningful. During this time of absence, many things about the person who is gone become more meaningful. Even at the death of a loved one, we remember when death came as we look forward to the reuniting in Eternity.


Maybe the instant communication age has contributed to our not seeing the importance of remembering. In the early days of our nation, the people who settled in the New Frontier would send a message with the next person who would pass by. There was no way of knowing how many people would handle that message or how long it might take to get 5 or 500 miles. The people remembered when they sent the message, what they wanted, who they sent it with, and waited expectantly for the response. Today we hit SEND on the computer and expect a reply within minutes.


We don’t like to wait. Our busy schedules will not allow it. If we have to wait, we don’t want to, and we may try some place or something else.


We need to observe the Festival of the Ascension. We need to hear over and over again the message of Jesus as He promises to return for us. We must wait patiently, faithfully, and willingly for His return. We are not waiting for something we have ordered; we are waiting for something He has promised.


For those who choose not to follow Jesus, Ascension Day will mean nothing. For those who live in His Love and eagerly anticipate the end of life on earth and the NEW LIFE that will begin in Eternity, Ascension Day Worship is a time of giving thanks to God for His wonderful promise.


I invite you to go to the Prayer and Devotion Page where the Devotion posted for today is based on the Ascension.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/17/2007

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THE MAY 15TH GAS OUT -- DID IT WORK?


There have been many e-mails, text messages and even radio and TV News reports in regard to a movement of protest against high gas prices. The request was that on May 15th no person should purchase gasoline. It was said that this would send a message to the oil companies as they would have no income on this day. Did it work? I don’t know as there are still many hours left of the 15th as I write this. Possibly you will have seen some late news reports as you read this on the 16th or after.


If I had to make a suggestion, I would guess that it did not work for many reasons:


1. Probably only a small percentage of drivers would elect to take part.


2. Many of those who did take part filled their tanks the night before or planned their driving so they did not need gas until the day after the "Gas Out." Thus the oil companies did not lose any income for the week.


3. It appears that the oil companies ignored the action. I noticed that at one station on the 14th, the price was $3.19.9 per gallon. On the morning of the 15th the price was $3.29.9 per gallon. Does that sound like they were worried?


4. The action was being taken for the wrong reason. An interview with a customer that I heard expresses what I believe is the mood of the consumer. The customer made a statement similar to this when asked if he was taking part. He said Yes, because this was the only way he could fight back and hurt the oil companies.


5. The action was being taken for the wrong reason!

If the action was taken for the wrong reason, here is what I believe is the right reason and what the results can be. The first thing is to change the question of "What can I do to hurt the oil companies?" to "What can I do to help the situation?" This is where it becomes very difficult for most of us. It is far easier to reach out and try to blame someone else, to hurt them, than it is to take the responsibility on ourselves. We don’t like to give up ANYTHING.


I have given the high price of gas as well as the possibility of shortages, quite a bit of thought. I look forward to a daily activity that has become a part of my routine. Each morning I drive the five miles to the activity in town and after the time of enjoyment, five miles back home. If I would eliminate that daily trip, I would drive 70 miles less per week and use between 3 or 4 gallon of gas less per week.


Now that does not seem like much, but multiply that times 52 weeks and that is 3,640 miles per year and using about 182 gallons of gas. To make the figures complete, multiply the gallons used by the price per gallon today. Now, what would happen if 10 people did what I did and eliminate 10 miles a day, or if a hundred people or a thousand people or a million people or more did that? Just keep adding 0’s to my miles driven and gallons used and you will be amazed at what can happen if one person does this and then another and another. The amazing thing is that this would be done out of concern for God’s Creation and the resources he has given us and made us responsible for. It is not done to hurt someone, not done out of spite, but is done out of love for God.


There is no doubt that it is a good thing to do what I can to cut down on my gas consumption. The only question is, "WILL I?"


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/16/2007

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NYLON STOCKINGS DAY


It would be interesting to know what was the first thing that came to your mind when you read the title of this THOUGHT. My guess is that no matter what you were thinking, you were probably not even close.


Today, May 15, is Nylon Stocking Day. It is not a day that I am going to celebrate. It is not a day that I have ever celebrated, except maybe once. Let me tell you about it.


It isn’t much of a story, just a couple of lines. It happened sometime during the years I was in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade at Benson West Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. While I, and other students, were walking to school, we had only the normal childhood worries, if any. Unlike children in other parts of the world, during that mile walk, we did not hear gunfire, and we did not have to be afraid that we would meet a frightening soldier from another land. The WAR was Over There and we were over here. Yes, we heard parents talking about rationing and the need for special stamps to purchase certain products, but we were too young to worry.


There were not only shortages of food, gas, and other products, there were shortages of items that the military needed to fight the war. One of the items in short supply was the parachute. So many had been lost or destroyed as the paratroopers landed in enemy lands. To make matters worse there was a shortage of supplies needed to make them.


It is my opinion that not since those years in the early 40’s have we seen the American people band together to support our boys, Over There. This is where the nylon stocking came in. In 1938 Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers, at DuPont, invented nylon. In 1940 nylon stockings were made available to consumers nationwide, and they soon replaced the silk stocking. Even with this new product, stockings were in short supply as the war needs were using almost every bit of silk and nylon produced. This is where I had the opportunity to help the war effort and our boys, Over There.


Our school, like many others, had a drive to collect as many pair of stockings as we could. These stocking were then recycled and the new material used to make additional parachutes. Today, it might be embarrassing for a young boy to ask a lady for her stockings with runs or snags in them. Not so then. The ladies knew of the need and would have them ready when someone came to the door. I wish I could find the scrapbook with the picture and the story of the drive at our school. I was the fortunate boy that collected the most. I know I collected over 300 pair and I believe it was far more than that. The prize for collecting the most was that the boy and the girl would get their picture in the paper. What a thrill that was.


I chose to talk about Nylon Stocking Day, not because of what I did as a boy, but to help you see that there are so many little things that we can do today that make a difference in the world. If this brief account can help you to begin or continue to recycle, I am glad that I shared it with you.


I often wonder which paratrooper landed safely because of those stockings we collected.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/15/2007

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MOTHER’S DAY


Mothers have given so much but ask for so little.

Mothers ask God to help them raise their child, then cry when the years pass so swiftly and the child goes to that first day of school.

Mothers teach their children to be independent, then worry when the apron strings are cut.

Mothers teach their children to be ladies and gentlemen, and then feel the hurt if the child does not act like a lady or a gentleman.

Mothers teach their children about Jesus and take the child to church and Sunday School, but discover they cannot believe for them.

Mothers need time away from their child, but when they do get away, they can’t wait to get home to be with their child.

Mothers are a unique gift from God. They have been given gifts, challenges and responsibilities that often seem overwhelming. They have also been given a heart filled and overflowing with love, a tireless body that does the “Mother Work” even in sickness, and the ability to see things in a child that others cannot see.

Thank you God for this gift that you have named MOTHER.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/13-14/2007

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THE BIRDS HAVE BEEN REAL BUSY


Shadow and Princess have been having a great time watching the birds, and so have I. Nest building seems to be continuing as new species arrive. This whole subject of nest building interests me.


It amazes me how the birds can so quickly select the right materials they need for the nest, and it raises these questions:


When they bring the materials to the place where they are going to build, how do they keep the first pieces from falling to the ground while they go to get the next pieces?


Because of the above question, do you think they wish they could get prefabricated nests?


How many trips do they have to take to get all of the material there? Do you think they are happy they don’t have to buy gas for that many trips back and forth?


How do they know what size to make the nest, and where in the tree or the bush will be most sheltered from the weather and predators?


Why do they always pick the bush that you want to trim next?


Why is it you can leave to get groceries, and when you return home there is a nest above the light fixture on the front porch? You know it was not there when you left. Do they hire another bird to follow you and come back and tell the other birds how long they think you will be gone?


Why is it that when the eggs hatch and the birds grow and leave the nest, they don’t clean up the mess, but leave an abandoned home to deteriorate?


Why is it that birds can do so much, and we have trouble taking the Word of God to a friend? Do you think it is because building a nest is more important? I don’t.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/12/2007

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THE FOG

 

The fog was very dense again. It was almost impossible to see beyond 100 feet. Even though fog may present danger to drivers and cause schools to close for the day, fog does give us another opportunity to grow in our Life in Christ.

 

There are dangers on all four sides as we seek to travel through. From the back we have no idea if a car is approaching at a rate of speed that will make it impossible to stop when coming up behind us. From both sides there is always the danger of vehicles entering the road from a driveway or another road. Ahead there may be a slower driven car, or even a car stopped near the side of the road that you may not see until it is too late.

 

As you prepare to enter the fog, you know that there are blessings as well as dangers ahead. The blessing is that when you make it through the fog, the visibility will be good, the sun will be shining and driving will be much safer. Even though you may have been hesitant about facing the dangers in the fog, once you are in the blessings of the sunshine, all, of the dangers are forgotten.

 

In daily life we face fogs that we call by different names. It may be a time of financial problems, it may be a time when illness or death brings great stress, it may be a time of problems within the family or it may be many other things. We face them, they are real, they are there. We know that if we move to resolve the situation that there may be many dangers. We might face ridicule. We might lose long-standing friendships. The family may be disrupted. It may cause a drain on already tight financial circumstances. You move forward cautiously, seeking to avoid every danger and when the problem is resolved, you proceed into the sunshine of life until you confront the next fog in life.

 

In our Christian Life we face the fog of sin that veils the wonders of Eternity from us. We must travel through this fog where the dangers of Satan lurk trying to keep us from continuing through. Nonetheless we continue on confidently because we are not alone. Our God has sent the Holy Spirit to guide us through this fog we also call, life. Even though we may get lost in the fog, even though we may have some bumps and bruises, when we draw near, we will hear the voice of Jesus saying, "Come unto me."

 

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/11/2007

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TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK:
LET US GIVE THEM THE GIFT OF RESPECT


May 7 - 13 is National PTA Teacher Appreciation Week. Teacher Appreciation Day was this past Tuesday. Throughout this week, many teachers received small gifts in honor of and in thankfulness for their dedication to the education of our youth. Some gifts have come from parents or students, while others were presented on behalf of organizations within the field of education. These tributes are well deserved. The sad thing is that in some places, the day or week may not have been observed because people say that teachers are just doing what they are paid to do; why should they be honored for that?


I believe that the concept of teachers just doing what they are paid to do is not fair and may well be a root problem for society today. Many parents feel that their only responsibility is to be sure the child gets to school on time, every day, and like magic the child will become a credit to them and to society. The only preparation these parents feel they need to make is to have the paper work complete and the various shots given by the doctor or nurse.


What these parents fail to understand is that the child takes a lot more than that to school each day. The child takes to school all that has been learned at home. It all depends on what they have been taught by example or by words if that is a plus or a minus.


Respect or lack of respect is something that each child learns at home and takes along to school. One of the greatest gifts that we can give to a Teacher and to society is to teach respect to our children or to continuously reinforce the good quality of respect that has already been taught.


What a joy and blessing it would be if each child came to school having been taught:

That the teacher should be respected by the child listening to what is taught and accepting the instructions for learning and behavior without argument,


That the property of the school and of others is to be respected and not stolen or damaged,


That the differences in other students is not something to ridicule,


That clothing worn and language used should not be offensive or suggestive.


That it is far better to be kind and cooperative than to be the one who gets the attention because the teacher always has to discipline them or send them to the office.

If children are taught to respect others and the property of others at home, what a difference this could make in the time available for additional opportunities to learn in school. While I suggest that RESPECT is one of the greatest gifts a child and the parents can give to a teacher, it may in fact be a future blessing as that child enters more and more into society.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/10/2007

 

A COMMENT RECEIVED:

 

I have worked as an educational aide in the library and on the playground at our school for 19 years.  What you said is so true.  RESPECT is so important.   Carol

 

05/10/2007

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IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS


"It’s not the gift, it’s the thought that counts" is a phrase that you may have used or heard many times. It is not only in terms of gifts that the thought counts, it also applies to our Christian Daily Life.


Possibly you have struggled over what "something" God wants you to do. Maybe you have planned and planned how to invite someone to church, or planned how to change your lifestyle so it would be more pleasing to God, or even how to help a friend learn to see that things he does are offensive to God.


As much as you have planned, you may be among the many who feel guilty because you did not carry out the plan, or you started, but it did not move forward fast enough, and you gave up. Don’t be discouraged. "IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS." The point is that you tried.


Now don’t be congratulating yourself, say you have tried, and forget about it. "IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS" can have another interpretation that has a far greater chance of working than all of the planning you can do. This time instead of "It’s not the Gift it's" you replace it with "It’s your reaction to."


Let me explain from an event in my ministry. For this story I will use the names of Albert and Mary. Albert and Mary were not related but were both members of the congregation I was serving. Albert had passed away and Mary was in the hospital. It was my practice to call every day on each member who was hospitalized. When there was a funeral, I wanted to be with the family when they went to view for the first time and to be with them at the close of visitation.


It was about ten miles to the neighboring city where the hospital and funeral home were located. Mary had been doing fairly well the day before so it was my plan to be with Albert’s family and then stop to visit with Mary on the way home. When I was just a few blocks from the hospital, I had a brief thought that I should stop and see Mary. It was my unwritten rule that I would never be late for a family at their time of first visitation, yet I had that thought. Without hesitation, I made the hospital visit. As I walked into the room, Mary’s family was there. One asked if I would have a prayer. As I offered a short prayer with my hand placed on Mary's head, she passed away.


All of my plans were good, but not good enough. I have found out so often as I did with Mary, "IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS."


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/09/2007

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PRIMARY ELECTIONS - ARE THEY FOR THE PROFIT,

THE POLITICIAN, OR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS?


Today is Primary Election Day in Ohio and some other states. For Ohioans it will be a quiet election, as there will only be local issues, local school and government tax levies, and local offices on the ballot. This is as it should be; simply an opportunity for the citizens to express themselves via the ballot box.


It is the Primary Election next year that bothers me and causes me to ask if it is held for the Profit, for the Politician, or for the Democratic Process? What disturbs me is the news report that I have heard saying that there will be Primaries not only in February, but there is the possibility of one or more in January. As I heard this information, I asked myself these three questions that I want to share with you.


Are these earlier and earlier Primaries for the Profit? Are there State Governments that feel the profits raised are the most important aspect of the Primary? There is no doubt that the early Primaries attract the most Press Coverage and usually draw a good percentage of the voters. This is the question - Is the main purpose of an early Primary to boost the economics of the host State?


Are these early Primaries for the benefit of the political candidate? Is it a possibility that if a candidate feels strength in a certain State, it would benefit that candidate to have an early Primary there? If so, then I am sure that the political powers behind that candidate would do their best to have an early Primary. It would be to their benefit if others drop out of the race following a poor result, even if they had a better chance in other states.


Are these early Primaries for the benefit of the Democratic Process? I can’t come up with a single reason where early primaries benefit the Democratic Process. In my opinion, it damages that process. We are told that in the Democratic Process every vote counts. Because of the early Primaries, citizens in many States do not have the opportunity to cast a meaningful vote as the nomination of a candidate for President is already determined. In my opinion, instead of encouraging participation in the nomination of a candidate, it really disenfranchises them.


Why do we allow these early Primaries to benefit State Economics and individual Political Candidates? Why do we use the opportunity to take a meaningful vote away from so many citizens?


Why do we speak proudly of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and by manipulation take away the meaningful vote from so many?


This does not have to be. Why can’t States and Political Powers place the people and the Democratic Process first and establish a NATION WIDE PRIMARY ELECTION DAY?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/08/2007

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ALS AWARENESS MONTH (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)


From time to time, I want to highlight various diseases so that more people can have an understanding of what they are. Here is a statement that I have copied from the ALS Web site:

"During May, The ALS Association focuses on ALS awareness with many national and local activities to shine the spotlight on research, care and support, and advocacy in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Read about what is going on and see how you can get involved."

I would encourage you to take the time to go to alsa.org and learn about this disease. There are many pages of important information.


I have known several people who have had ALS and know that they had many needs. There are ways you can help. Maybe responding to these needs is something God wants you to do.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/06-07/2007

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CALLER I.D. READS:  RODENBERGER FUN


I don’t have Caller I.D.  I don’t want Caller I.D.  I don’t think that I need to know who is calling before I say, Hello. Some people say that they don’t want to answer the phone if they do not know who it is. I respond that I can always hang up.


What would you do if the words "RODENBERGER FUN" were on your screen when the the phone rang. Would you answer so that you could see what "FUN" was being offered? Would you not answer because you were not interested in any "FUN" offers? Either way you would respond. If you thought it was a sales pitch for a fun activity, you would be disappointed. You would find out that there is only enough room on the screen for so many letters. If there were room for more, the call would have been identified as coming from RODENBERGER FUN ERAL HOME.


Can we learn from this that when we read God’s Word, we need to read the whole Word and not just a sample portion? So many times just reading one phrase here and there misleads us. The most used example of this is not a good example because it is unbelievable, but it does illustrate my point. Phrase 1:  "Judas went out and hanged himself." Then add Phrase 2:  "Go, and do thou likewise." See what I mean?


Let’s check it out and see if RODENBERGER FUN offers fun. Let’s check God’s Word out for the true offer of LIFE that is there.


Just one more thing. Imagine what could happen if people chose to cancel Caller I.D. and gave that small amount of money to God’s Work each month in addition to their regular gifts.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/05/2007

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THE COACH TOOK OVER


There were transportation problems so I had the privilege of taking our 4th grade granddaughter to her softball game. This was the first time I have seen her play. I was impressed by the ability of the girls and by the way in which the coaches coached and conducted themselves.


One of the things that struck me has probably been a practice for years, but tonight was the first time that I saw it in action. The pitchers did a god job, but at that age and experience, the ball does not always go where the pitcher wants to throw it. As a result, many, many walks could be issued. Not in this game. It appears that the only two things a batter can do is hit the ball or strike out. No batter is allowed to walk.


If the batter does not hit the ball or strike out after a certain number of balls are thrown, the coach of the batting team takes over, and goes to the pitchers mound and pitches until the batter either hits the ball or strikes out. I noticed that it seemed like the pitcher was always glad that the coach took over.


The next time you get frustrated because you can’t be the winner in a battle over illness, economic or social problems, envy, jealousy, or many other things, step aside, and let the COACH TAKE OVER. Jesus is your coach. He is waiting on the sidelines for you to call to Him.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

05/04/2007

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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER


Our local radio station has been running spot announcements all week concerning National Day of Prayer. Many local businesses have provided the funding to pay for the air time. This is good for two reasons.

Today is National Day of Prayer.  In some communities, churches will be filled with worshipers, from many denominations, gathering together in prayer. These radio spots encourage some people to attend while reminding others who might have forgotten.

The other reason is that there can be encouragement given to begin such a gathering. If you do not have a service in your community, why not ask your Pastor if you and some others, with his advice, could begin to plan such a service for next year?

We definitely need prayers day after day. Can you use this day to begin to pray abut and plan a National Day of Prayer service in your community. Why not ask God about it now or at the latest, tonight?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/03/2007

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EAT DESSERT FIRST WEEK


According to a calendar that I use from brownielocks.com, May 1- 7 is Eat Dessert First Week. That makes sense to me, even more so if it is pie or even better if it is anything chocolate (no peanut butter with the chocolate, please). How many times has the server at a restaurant asked if I would like dessert and I have had to respond that I just can’t eat any more. I enjoyed the meal, but dessert would have been great.

A story that I have enjoyed each time I receive it is of the lady who made a different kind of a request. She asked that, when she died and was placed in the casket for the time of visitation, a fork be placed in her hand. Her instructions were to tell those who asked Why the fork? - “When I would go to a dinner at church and the dishes from the main course were picked up, I was always told to keep my fork, because the best was yet to come.”

Many people never get dessert because they are always too full. Maybe they should EAT DESSERT FIRST.

Many people never get the sweet dessert of God’s Love because they are so busy consuming the lures of the world. Maybe they should savor the joy of God’s Love first.

GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE

 

05/02/2007

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MAY DAY - THE MAY BASKET


As a child, May Day was a Holiday that I eagerly looked forward to the activities. May Day was not the kind of a Holiday where businesses were closed, but it was special to me. Over the years I have found that May 1 has many more kinds of observances than the one that I knew. I have also discovered that many people have never heard of or experienced the joy of a May Day of my childhood.


If you have childhood memories of the May Basket and May Day, then remember with me those wonderful times as I share these activities with those who have not known this joy.


It was really a simple day. A day or so before May 1, we would make our baskets if we did not have some at home. We would cut strips of construction paper and then weave them together to form the basket. Of course this took a lot of glue and usually made a mess as we didn’t have those easy-to-use tubes that are available today. The basket handle was not always straight and it didn’t look neat, BUT, we made it, and that was what was important. Mother might have baked some cookies or cupcakes and may have purchased some jelly beans or things like that. Then crumpling some tissue paper for the bottom of the basket, we then put in the baked goods and candy. If there were flowers in bloom, we would put a few flowers in. We had to be sure that what we put in the basket was not too heavy or our basket would tear and everything would fall out.


Then the real fun began. We would get in the car and be driven to where a grandparent, a Sunday School Teacher, the Pastor, or special friends or relatives lived. The car would not stop right in front of the house as we needed to sneak up to the door without anyone seeing us. We would carefully set the basket on the porch by the door, and then either knock or ring the doorbell. Then we would run as fast as we could to get back to the car so we could be driven away without anyone seeing us. The excitement did not stop there. We patiently waited until the next time we saw the person who received our basket. If they did not say anything about the basket, we were positive that they did not know it was from us, and it was another successful May Day.


Looking back to those years there are two important lessons to be learned from the May Basket. First, it was a good feeling to do something nice for someone without them knowing who did it. Secondly, I am sure that since this was an annual event, peeking through the windows were people smiling as they watched us sneak up to the door and then run away, always waiting until we were out of sight before they picked the basket up from the doorstep. These people made it possible for us to learn how good it feels to do something for someone without expecting thanks.


Can we learn something from the May Baskets of May Day?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

05/01/2007

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DO YOU HAVE A THINKING ROOM?


I probably always have had a thinking place. It may have been a comfortable recliner or an easy chair placed by a window. It may have been the bed during the quiet moments just before sleep. In recent years, it has been a room that can be entered only through the garage. We call it a workroom because there is a workbench, there are tools on the wall, and there is a piece of furniture that has been waiting for years to be refinished, but there does not seem to be room to do any work. The reason is simple. The workspace is filled with books to be read, books for reference, hobbies to work on, sunflower seeds to be removed from the dried plants and put in containers for use in the bird feeders, etc.

Yes, this is my THINKING ROOM. This is where I go when I need help to decide what THOUGHT I want to discuss with you, or when I am stumped looking for the right word or phrase for a devotion. At times I will just sit there and allow thoughts to flow through my mind. When I glance at the top of a bookcase, I see things from my youth that remind me not only of days past but also of family members, and what memories come flooding through the room. I may look at a book title or read a page or two, and my thoughts will travel at their will, arriving at an idea or leading me to some new understanding of an old event. Of course, I can stare out of the window and give God’s wonderful creation the opportunity to speak to me.

Even though my workroom has no room for me to work, I am thankful that there is enough room to wheel my chair, to sit, and look, and think, and pray.

I thank God for my thinking room and for His Presence there.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/29-30/2007

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LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP -- A SHADOW AND PRINCESS LESSON


From time to time, I like to share with you events from the lives of Shadow and Princess. In September of 2005, my wife found these 3 week old kittens in the middle of a country road, far from any farm house. They have been with us ever since.

Naturally, they get in trouble once in a while, but they also do things that can teach a lesson for all. We have a hot tub or a spa, which ever term your prefer. This is in a room with several windows that face the South. The cats enjoy jumping up on the lid to lie there soaking in the warmth as the sun shines through the window. One evening the tub was going to be used so we took the lid off. Shadow was standing on a chair watching intently. All of a sudden she jumped, thinking she would land on the lid. SPLASH!!! She landed in the 98 degree water and just that fast was back out yowling, running, and really not knowing what to do. The lesson she learned and the lesson she teaches is LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

Do you get emails asking you for information to update your files? -- LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

Do you get emails telling you that you only need to send X number of dollars to claim your big first prize? -- LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

Do you get emails offering to sell you something at a very low price? -- LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

Shadow just got wet, think of what you could lose.

Shadow now looks to see if the lid is on. May you also LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/28/2007

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CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION - ARBOR DAY


Today, April 27, is Arbor Day. Since I am a native of Nebraska, Arbor Day has always been a special day for me. The Day came to be because of one man:  J. Sterling Morton. When he moved to Nebraska in the 1800’s there were few trees. Many who moved there at the same time complained about it, but Mr. Morton did something about it. As a result of his tree planting efforts and his ability to get others to join with him, Arbor Day became a State Holiday in Nebraska. On the first Arbor Day in 1872, it is estimated that over 1 million trees were planted. I can remember going to Nebraska City several times to the restored home of J. Sterling Morton and seeing the beauty of the trees and gardens.


I would encourage you to visit the site of the National Arbor Day Foundation,
http://www.arborday.org/arborday/ and check out the Arbor Day History box where you can also learn something about J. Sterling Morton.


In the 60’s and 70’s acres and acres of trees were removed in order to have more land available for farming. In the past years acres and acres of trees have been planted. May each of us keep Arbor Day alive by planting trees and supporting those who dedicate themselves to the planting of trees.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/27/2007

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START WITH A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.


Graduation dates have been announced, invitations are being prepared and parties are being planned. For some, graduation will mean the end of formal education while for others it will be the completion of one step toward higher educational goals. All of this began as students were taught to learn A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

Because students started with A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, they were able to put all of the letters and numbers together in so many ways to gain wisdom and knowledge to serve them well.

Starting with the basics and building from there has produced so much for the good of all. This comes so naturally that we don’t even think about how important these basic teachings are. As a Pastor, I often heard complaints about how little youth knew about the Bible or even well known Bible stories. If you ask those who complain to explain the Bible Story, they will often admit that they can’t. They will also add that they learned the Story so many years ago that they could not be expected to remember.

Whether we are youth or adults, we need to go back to the basics and start with the Spiritual basics such as, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” Genesis 1:1 and “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” St. John 1:1 and then add St. John 3:16. If we start with the basics of God’s Word and build on them, what a difference it will make. As we build on the basics we might even come to ask, “May I teach” in place of asking, “Why don’t they know?”

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/26/2007

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SECRETARY’S DAY


Today is Secretary’s Day. Secretaries seldom receive the credit they are due. Often times they receive the complaints that should be given to others. Often they smile when given work to do that they should have received two days earlier and no apology is given for the late submission. Many times, if you want to know what is happening, the Secretary is the best person to ask.


In a congregation where I served as an Interim Pastor, I gave the Secretary the nickname of "Glue" because in the absence of a Pastor, she did much to hold the congregation together. I mention this because while businesses honor their secretaries, the church often overlooks them. To you who read this, if your church has a secretary, please consider calling him or her and offering thanks for all that is done for the church. In addition, why not call some other members and ask them to do the same thing.


Even though they would not be classified as Secretaries, I want to say a special thank you to Karen and Jean for all they do as volunteers to make it possible for this website to have the daily updates. Thanks Karen and Jean.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/25/2007

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THE CLOCK KEEPS TICKING


Don’t you sometimes wish that you could stop the clock, turn it back a few minutes, hours, days, or years? A student wishes to have started earlier to prepare for that test or to work on the assignment. There have been many times I would have liked to turn the clock back and get an earlier start on my sermon preparation. Some would like to turn the clock back so that they would not have had to hurry and would not have made that mistake or had that accident. So many times people wish they could step into a time machine and travel back in order to do something over again.

While this may be done in cartoons, it does not happen in real life. The Clock Keeps Ticking and moving forward. We cannot go back and delete a word we wish we may not have said or take back a deed we should not have done. That action, that word, will stay with us the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, people will remind us and not allow us to forget.

There is another time that keeps moving forward that is different. This time is not kept by a watch or a calendar. Since it is God’s time, God is the timekeeper. The timekeeper is the Master of the Time. Because God is the Master of the Time, God can take an eraser, that is made from the Blood that Jesus shed on the Cross for us, and remove those burdens of past wrongs so that we don’t have to bear that huge burden.

Yes, The Clock Keeps Ticking and we become more and more bent over because of the heavy burdens of past wrongs that we carry. Then we go to God and His Time, His Forgiveness, and His Love, and the burden becomes so much less.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/24/2007

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CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION --

CLOTH NAPKINS AND HANDKERCHIEFS


It may seem strange, but as a young boy one of the tasks that I had to do around the house was to iron. This was far better than washing or drying dishes. When mother began to have me do some ironing it was limited to handkerchiefs. I tried so hard to make sure there were no wrinkles and that the creases were true so when I folded, all of the edges were even. Next were the cloth napkins and they also had to be done very neatly.

As we observe EARTH DAY, I wonder how many napkins and handkerchiefs are ironed today. Maybe an even better question would be “How many cloth napkins and handkerchiefs are used today?” When I think of the mountain size stacks of napkins and facial tissues that are purchased daily, I don’t think that there are many cloth napkins and handkerchiefs in our homes. And then I wonder, Why not?

They don’t take up much room in our washers and dryers. Many of them don’t even need to be ironed.  Which is cheaper: the cloth that lasts and lasts or the paper that is thrown away? Which is faster to reproduce:  the tree from which the paper comes or the product from which the cloth fiber comes? When the paper is used, it goes to the landfill. When the cloth looks worn, it is then called a rag.

On this EARTH DAY, seriously ask yourself this question. What is the most responsible way of Caring for God’s Creation, cloth or paper?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/22-23/2007

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THE BRIGHT YELLOW FINCH


We have many finch at our finch feeders every year. For the first time this Spring, a bright yellow finch appeared on the window sill. As I looked up from typing, the bird sat there just looking at me. It would have made a wonderful picture.


I did wonder why it sat there so long. I don’t know if birds have reasons, but just in case they do, I think I know what the bird was thinking. I think the bird was asking me, "Where is the feeder with our food?"


At that point I remembered that a short time ago the feeder developed a crack and was no longer usable. We bought a new feeder but did not get it outside for the birds. I told the bird that there were other feeders out there. I sensed the bird answering me by telling me it wanted the one that was always in that particular spot. Now I just have to figure out where we put the new feeder.


I just wonder, if we pay attention to God’s creatures and creation, can we receive hints about how better to care for all that God has given to us? Thank you Bright Yellow Finch.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/21/2007

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THE LOW BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON


I have my portable phone with me everywhere I go in the house. With my wheelchair, it is so much easier than trying to wheel to the stationary phone when it rings. I don’t always put it back on the charger every night and so often when I want to make a call, I will hear Beep, Beep, and the low battery light will come on.

As a Christian, I wish we had a low faith light that would come on at the time we need to make decisions in life and we have not kept our faith batteries charged. The batteries are right there so we can plug into the Bible or prayer. It does not take long for my portable phone to get enough of a charge to make a call. It does not take much of talking to God for our faith batteries to get a small recharge. The secret is keeping them fully charged so that we always know that the power we need is there.

The next time you see a low battery light come on or hear a Beep, Beep, let it be a reminder to check your faith batteries.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/20/2007

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32 MORE DEATHS LAST NIGHT


The prayers of many continue to be offered on behalf of those who mourn the loss of the Virginia Tech students. This is as it should be as their families, the faculty and student body, and the community need the strength and comfort that our prayers provide. At the same time, we hear many calls to stop such violence. As is usual in a case like this, we hear opinions for and against gun control regulation.


I don’t have exact figures, but it is possible that last night 32 people died because of Domestic Violence. It is possible that 32 people died last night as a result of a drunk driver. It is possible that 32 people died last night because of a drug overdose. It is possible that 32 people died last night because of other non-medical reasons.


I would not expect the outpouring of support as we see with Virginia Tech because the stories would not merit national publicity. I would expect to see a groundswell of words against those who caused these deaths and the product or actions responsible. Unfortunately, we often remain silent. We may say the drunk driver is a good guy who did not mean to do it. We may say the domestic violence offender is really a nice person who just lost it and didn’t mean to harm. We may come up with all kinds of excuses for not speaking out and trying to bring down the numbers of these tragic deaths.


As you pray for those from Virginia Tech, also remember the other families who have lost loved ones. Grief is Grief, whatever the cause. We support groups the seek to lower medical death rates. Let us also support those seeking to eliminate other causes. Even one unnecessary death is too many.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/19/2007

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WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY


On a calendar that I use, April 18th is designated as World Amateur Radio Day. To most people, Amateur Radio is looked upon as a hobby. As a boy I was always fascinated with this hobby but as I grew and understood more about it, I came to realize that it is a very important volunteer service for our nation. I often regret that I did not follow through with the desire to obtain my license.


Amateur Radio is sometimes the only means of contact during a disaster. Amateur Radio is sometimes the First Alert system for approaching dangers. Amateur Radio does not drop calls, does not reach wrong numbers, and with the proper equipment is available when other forms of communication are not.


It is right that we salute Amateur Radio operators and thank them for being the silent safety belt in turbulent times. If you know any Amateur Radio operators, take time to thank them and ask them to explain to you what they do. If you know of a person young or old who might have an interest, find a way to help that person meet an active operator. For some older people, if they can pass the requirements, it can open a whole new world and can give them a sense of worth in being a part of a group of people who care and serve others.


We dare not allow the numbers of Amateur Radio Operators to dwindle; they are far too important. 

 

Congratulations and Thank You, Amateur Radio Operators.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/18/2007

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VIRGINIA TECH


Thoughts and prayers have rapidly developed for the families and friends of those who lost their lives today at Virginia Tech. We must also remember to include in our prayers students everywhere as well as their families. The actions of one person have filled many lives with fear, grief, and uncertainty.

Many hours will be spent asking, why? Why did the lives of students who had so much to offer have to be taken? How could someone have such little respect for life? Why could this not be prevented? The list of questions could go on and on. Possibly you have a question or two that you would add to the list. As much as we would like to have the answers to these questions, we probably will not find them.

I would suggest that you continue to pray for those who mourn. But even more than that, I would hope you would pray for God’s Presence to be found in the lives of all people. If you do offer this prayer, be prepared for God to lead you to someone who is waiting to hear that Jesus loves them.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/17/2007

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TWO EXTRA DAYS


The only reason I can write this without sounding critical of others is that I am one of the worst of the offenders. Like many others, I rejoice that there are two extra days this year before the deadline for filing my Income Tax forms. When we served a congregation in Denver, there were many years that I was in the long line of cars at the downtown Denver Post Office on the night of April 15. Where we now live, the last pickup from the curbside mailbox is 5:00 P.M. and last year I deposited the forms in the box at 4:45 P.M. I don’t do this on purpose. I always get all of the papers together in mid January and have things fairly well in order. However, there is always one form that I need, or maybe two, that I have not received. I put them aside and to my amazement, when I look at the calendar it is April 13 or 14. This year I decided that it was not going to happen again. I made an appointment to have the work done by a fine C.P.A.  I took the papers that I had to my appointment on January 30. The C. P. A. gave me a list of three things that either I had not yet received or I had not prepared for him. Yes, on April 9, I received a note reminding me of what I needed and that I had to have it there by the 13th. It took longer than I thought to get the information ready, but I did and delivered it on the 12th. I can pick the completed forms up on the 16th and put them in the mail. I will still have a day to spare. I am not proud of this feat, and again I promise myself that next year everything will be finished and sent in by mid-February.


Two extra days to get the Income Tax filed. That’s great!  There will not be an extension when we must file our Final Faith Report. Jesus has told us that we will not know the day or time when He will return -- Not an extra day, not even an extra minute. I will be ready, will you?


GOD'S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/15-16/2007

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THANK YOU CBS AND MSNBC


Too often people complain and when things change they do not compliment. I want to be an exception. Recently I wrote concerning the remarks that Mr. Imus made concerning the Rutgers Women’s Basketball Team. At the same time I placed responsibility on those who carried the broadcasts, those who sponsored it and those who listened or watched.

Now I thank the sponsors who canceled their adds. I am sure that the action of the sponsors helped CBS and MSNBC to make their decision to no longer employ Mr. Imus. The only unknown is how many viewers and listeners would have changed the channel or moved the dial? Would you have? If so, I also thank you.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/14/2007

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THE LUCKY CHAIR


When our daughter, her husband and their two daughters moved back into our area, they lived in a very small home while waiting for their house to be built. In this house there was not enough room for their large dining room furniture. We had the room and we had a smaller table, so they used our small table and we enjoyed their larger furniture. The seat on one of the chairs had come loose and if you moved the right way, it moved with you. Our granddaughters called it “the lucky chair.” I am told that it was quite an experience to not know you were sitting on the lucky chair and then to have the seat move when you did not expect it. No one ever fell or got hurt, but sometimes we would see a person check the chairs to see which one they did not want to sit on.

There are many people and objects that give the appearance of being a god. Just like the lucky chair gives the appearance of a safe place to sit, these gods give the appearance of what some people are looking for in a god. Just like the lucky chair, a false god has something loose, something not right, that could cause you to fall. From the lucky chair, you fall to the floor. From these gods, you fall from the Grace of God.

Just like people check the chairs to make sure they have the right one, maybe we should also do this as there are many false gods competing for our attention.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/13/2007

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WHEN YOU FEEL A TUG, GO WITH IT


Yesterday I rambled about Response - ability as I learned from the late Rev. E. I. Hageman. He was also the one who taught me the importance of beginning the day with the prayer, “Lord, what do you want me to do today? I believe that I had mentioned this prayer before and I have written about this in my book. Even so, I think it is important enough to share with you again.

Every weekday morning Pastor Hageman would walk the four blocks to have coffee with some of the community businessmen. Each time as he would walk past storefronts, he would wave at the people inside. He did not know some of these people by name and had not entered many of the stores. One morning after waving at a particular store owner, who returned his wave of greeting, he had only walked a few more steps before stopping, turning around and going back. He entered the store and the owner said, “I don’t know why you came in, but this morning I prayed that you would.” He did not know the owner by name and they had never before had a conversation with each other.

Pastor Hageman left the store an hour later. During that time there normally would have been a few customers but none came in during that hour. The store owner poured out problem after problem and shed tear after tear. Pastor responded and after they talked and ended with a prayer, there was smile on the owners face.

When Pastor returned to the office, I asked the Pastor how the coffee hour went. He told me that he didn’t go and I was surprised because he valued that time so much. He told me the story and gave me this advise that I share with you today.

Each morning, pray “Lord, what do you want me to do today? Then when you feel a tug, go with it.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/12/2007

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RESPONSIBILITY - THE ABILITY TO RESPOND


In 1960, my Internship Supervisor, the late Rev. E. I. Hageman, was a respected and sought after banquet speaker. His most impressive speech was “Responsibility - The Ability To Respond.” I heard this speech several times and always found a new insight. During my ministry, I used this title as a Sermon theme many times.

Responsibility is not an honor; it is an action. Responsibility cannot be carried out unless you do something.

Responsibility must be free of conditions. It is self serving if it is an “I will do this for you IF...”

Responsibility must be freely given. If you respond only because you owe something such as a political payback, that is not a response; it is paying a debt.

Responsibility must not be self seeking. The Bible says that we cannot serve two masters. It cannot be ego building. You cannot serve yourself and adequately fulfill a responsibility at the same time.

Responsibility can only be carried out if it based on Love for the person or the belief.

The ability to respond is best seen at Easter. Mankind needed someone to help in being victorious over sin. Jesus said, I will do it. It will be my responsibility. Jesus did it the only way that He could, out of Love for you and me.

Do you have the Ability to Respond?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/11/2007

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THE SHOCK JOCKS


Another Shock Jock has made the news by offending the wrong people. I do not recall the name of the person who made the comments about the Women of the highly successful Rutgers Basketball Team. I had not heard of him before the News reports of today. It would not be hard to find his name, but if I did, I still would not use it as I don’t wish to give him publicity.


There are Shock Jocks in every category that we could think of including Religion and most definitely Politics. It seems that their goal is to be as demeaning as they can be in regard to people, beliefs, morals and political mudslinging as they can be. Every so often one of them steps over the line and if the person or people who are attacked have the right connections we have an uproar.


While I have no use for the Shock Jocks I can’t place all of the blame on them. It is the thousands and even millions of people who listen to them on satellite or regular radio or watch them on TV who keep them on the air. The more people who listen and watch, the more sponsors are willing to lower their standards of advertising.


The popularity of the Shock Jocks is a definite sign of the downward trend of the morals of the American people. Even more than that it shows how removed we are from the command of Jesus that we love our neighbor as ourselves.


Would you do whatever you can to let people know that Shock Jocks are not good for America and that they are certainly not pleasing to God.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/10/2007

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DID YOU SAY HELLO TO THE STRANGER?
 

When was the last time that you said ”Hello” to a stranger? Was there a stranger sitting near you in church? Was there a stranger ahead of or behind you in line at the store? Was there a stranger near you in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or the barber or beauty shop? There are strangers all around us. This should not be. As my mentor and friend, the late Rev. Melvin Oehrtman. explained to me one day, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.”

One time while grocery shopping I needed an item from a high shelf and could not reach it from my wheelchair. A mother with two small children was in the same aisle. I asked her if she would get the item for me, and she very kindly did. I thanked her. When she turned to her cart and children, one of the children said to her, “Mommy, you are not supposed to talk to strangers.” I was so glad that the child had learned that important lesson. I heard the mother explain to the child that it was okay for an adult to get something that the man in the wheelchair could not reach. While it is good to teach children to stay away from strangers, it is not something that should be carried into adulthood. Yes, there are people that for one reason or another I choose not to speak with. But what about the rest of the strangers?

Countless stories have been told of wonderful things that have happened when two strangers talked to each other. Lives have been changed for the better. Lasting friendships have been formed. New members have been brought to Christ and His Church. Burdens have been lifted from sagging shoulders. Did you say hello to a stranger lately?

On that first Easter evening, two men walking on the Road to Emmaus when a stranger came near to them and they began to talk. What a life changing experience that was.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/08-09/2007

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IS THERE GRIEF TODAY?


Many families each day are filled with grief because a loved one has just passed away. It does not make any difference if the death was sudden or expected; the grief is still heavy, and it is real.

A question that I have often heard is, “Pastor, it hurts so much when I see friends enjoying themselves, laughing, going to parties, and having a good time, while I am here crying. Don’t they care about the loved one I have lost? Pastor, why aren’t they sad and shedding tears, also?”

I try to explain that those people did not know and love your loved one as much as you did. I then try to encourage them to talk to others about the loved one and let them share the important moments of their friendship with the loved one.

Yesterday was Good Friday and tomorrow is Easter. On this Saturday those closest to Jesus gathered together sharing their grief. I am sure they looked at the people milling about and wondered why they did not feel grief.

IS THERE GRIEF TODAY? is a question we must ask. Do we feel any kind of sorrow over the death of Jesus? Do we know Jesus well enough to be sorrowful and grieve for Him? Did you sign up to take part in a Prayer Vigil? Is there an Easter Vigil Service on this Saturday Night you can attend? If your church does not offer these opportunities, now is the time to ask your Pastor about next year.

IS THERE GRIEF TODAY?

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/07/2007

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A GOOD FRIDAY OF YEARS PAST


From my high school years onward, Good Friday has been my favorite Day of the Church Year. Our church was located in the middle of the business area of Benson, a community within the city of Omaha, Nebraska. Every Good Friday the Immanuel Lutheran Church would be filled with people of all denominations. As they did in other places, all of the businesses and offices would close at about 11:45 and remain closed until 3:15. Immanuel could seat several hundred people, and the church would be filled. It was time for the three hour Good Friday Service. Seven Pastors and their Choirs would each take a segment of the Service. The Seven Last Words from the Cross would be the theme for the sermons and the choral music. The Passion History would be read in seven segments. There was an organ interlude between the segments so that people could enter and exit as they wished. What Good Fridays those were -- to hear seven different pastors, choirs and sermons. What Good Fridays those were when businesses and offices cared enough to close so that the employees could worship on this Holy Day. Fortunately, there are communities that still hold these services. Unfortunately, there are very few businesses or offices who close in thankfulness for the three hours Jesus spent on the Cross.


Today most congregations hold a Service of Darkness. It goes by many names and can be moving and meaningful. The Service ends in darkness and the worshiper is encouraged to leave in silence and spend the time from then until Easter Morning in prayer and meditation. This is what the followers of Jesus did during the time He was in the tomb. Unfortunately, today when most worshippers get home, the TV comes on and the normal way of life continues.


In those Good Fridays of the Past, many remembered the Seven Last Words. I am afraid that today far too many just remember how "neat" it was when it was dark and quiet and then that LOUD noise. I’ll take the Good Fridays of years past.


GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/06/2007

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ROLLER COASTER WEATHER


Tuesday we had high temperatures near 80; Wednesday low temperatures near the teens. This roller coaster weather has been common in many parts of the country.


Financial news reporters talk about a roller coaster stock market. In fact, there are many areas of life that we can use the roller coaster thought.


What about a roller coaster faith? Certainly, we have such a faith. It seems people are afraid to admit it.


There is probably no greater example of a roller coaster faith than that of St. Peter and the one example that took place on this Holy Thursday. After the Last Supper, in response to remarks that Jesus had made about St. Peter denying Him, St. Peter proclaims that he will follow Jesus anywhere. The roller coaster is soaring up. Later, St. Peter hears the cock crow as he denied Jesus for the third time. The roller coaster comes plunging down. Other examples of St. Peter’s relationship with Jesus continue the up and down movement.


There is one difference between the roller coaster of Faith and all others. All roller coasters except faith will suddenly STOP, maybe even half way up or down. Just as the real roller coaster comes to a smooth finish at the home destination, so also the Roller Coaster of Faith brings the believer to a smooth finish at the gates to the Eternal Heavenly Mansions of God.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/05/2007

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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

 

There is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning scrolling across my television screen. In our part of Northwest Ohio, thunderstorm, high wind, heavy snow, blizzard, flood, or tornado warnings are common. In fact they are so common that many people ignore them. Many have heard and seen vivid reports of devastation caused by such severe weather, but they think it will never happen here. It is only when the radio or TV meteorologist gives an excited urgency to the warning that people begin to take precautions. Then BAM, the storm hits and it is too late to prepare.


There is a warning, "Watch therefore for you know not the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will return" that has been repeated over and over again since it was first spoken by Jesus. The report has been read and sermons have been preached about it so often that most people ignore them. Warnings are given concerning the end of time, and people look out of the window and don’t see it where they are and are not concerned. They say, "I have many years to live; I can worry about that later." Then BAM, the accident happens, the tornado strikes, or a fatal disease moves quickly and the unknown hour is here.


Today is a good day to pay attention to WARNINGS, both of weather that MIGHT come and of the Lord who WILL come.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/04/07

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IT IS TIME TO STAND UP
 

How long are we going to allow the non-Christian influences to grow and spread among us? There is no better time than Holy Week to consider this question. Jesus went into the Temple and threw out those that He said were making His Father’s house a den of thieves. Jesus stood tall before Pilate. He faced the crowd. He carried the Cross. He was nailed to the Cross. He never wavered. He was a man. His total reliance was on God. He was not violent.

It is time to stand up by:

Doing what we can to counter the Rational Responders as they seek to draw people away from belief in the Holy Spirit.

Not supporting businesses that make money from selling services or products that are not pleasing to God.

Not supporting charities, organizations, or educational institutions who support anti-Christian activities.

Encouraging Bible Believing and Bible Living people to enter the fields of business, education, and politics.

Asking God what I can do to make a difference in this world by helping others to place God first in their lives.

IT IS TIME TO STAND UP – Let me know how you are Standing up for Jesus so I can share it with others. Let us be in prayer for one another and encourage one another.

God’s Love is the only thing that can change the world in which we live.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/0307

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DON’T LET SATAN FOOL YOU


There is an email that makes the rounds which responds to those who do not believe in God and complain that Easter and Christmas are Holidays. The response is that April 1 is a holiday in their honor. This is based on Psalm 53:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."


While there may be some humor in this, it is really a matter we should take seriously. Most who deny the existence of God would also deny the existence of Satan, yet I believe that it is Satan who has lured these people to follow him.


Satan has convinced people to interpret the Bible in light of accepted practices of society. Satan has convinced people to reject what they cannot prove. Satan has convinced people that they will enjoy life to the fullest if they reject the laws of God and live as they want to. Satan has convinced people that it is okay to hurt others in order to get what you want.


Satan has so many ways to bring people under his influence. BEWARE! BE ALERT! Don’t let Satan fool you. If you do decide that the promises of Satan are greater than the promises of God, then I must tell you this. On the Day of Judgment, while those who have given their lives to God will awaken to the joys of Eternity, if you have chosen to follow Satan, you will awaken to the woes and suffering of Eternal Death and Satan will be there laughing and saying, "You believed everything that I said, April Fool."


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

04/1-2/07

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THE CAT GOT MAD AT ME -- A SHADOW AND PRINCESS STORY


I am a person who likes to follow a regular routine. Each evening when I finish here at the computer, there are certain things that I do. Shadow follows along with me. Last night I was tired and skipped one of the parts of the routine. Shadow is usually ahead of me going to the next place to do the next thing. I don’t think she liked it when I skipped a step. When I turned out the lights in the kitchen and wheeled the chair toward the bedroom door, Shadow sprawled lengthwise across the entryway. There was no way I could get past her. I tried to move her with my foot, but that was only an inch or two. After repeating this several times, I finally moved her enough to get past. From there I moved toward the door from the bedroom to the bathroom and we repeated the doorway scene again. Shadow knew the routine and did her best to block me from getting there. I think she was mad and was trying to get even.


I know that God has a goal of loving me. Why do I put roadblocks up to keep that love from capturing me? I became unhappy with the cat and I am sure that God becomes disappointed with me. When It was over, Shadow came to me to be loved. Maybe I had better do the same with God.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

03/31/07

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GOD’S CREATION - THE ACROBATIC BIRDS

 

As I sit here writing, what I call the bird tree is just outside the window. Normally we have two or three cages of suet cakes hanging from the branches. Most of the time the cages are just far enough from the branch that the bird cannot sit there and eat. Of course this presents a challenge to the birds. The bird is hungry. The food is there. How will the bird get the food? This is when I enjoy watching the acrobatic birds.


Sometimes the bird will thrust the head forward and bump the cage so that it begins to swing a little. Each time the cage swings near, the bird pecks, gets a bite and pushes the cage away so that it continues to swing.


Sometimes the bird will hang upside down on a branch and reach down to get the food.


Sometimes the bird will land on the cage and twist in such a way that they can reach the food.


Sometimes two of them will work together, taking a peck and then pushing the cage so the other one can get a peck.


Sometimes God’s Love seems to be just a little bit out of our reach. This is not because God has placed it out of our reach or placed barriers between His Love and us. No, we have put the barriers there.


Are we as hungry for God’s Love as the birds are for the suet? Will we make the effort to reach out and take what God has placed before us? Will we work together, helping one another to receive God’s Love?


The birds do it. Why can’t we?


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

03/30/07

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FRAGILE BLOSSOMS


As I look out of the window on this cool, windy day, fragile white blossoms are beginning to emerge from branches on the tree. It is late enough this afternoon that they will not fully emerge until tomorrow and the winds are to be calm by then. I like to see those blossoms fully open on the tree. It is a beautiful sight. It won’t last many days. If the winds don’t return to blow at the blossoms, they will just fall away as nature intends. Those blossoms are just part of a cycle of growth for the tree. The leaves will soon appear and then the fruit. I don’t know what kind of fruit. I do know there are many blossoms, which means much fruit.


As the fruit turns red, the robins and other birds will be lined up checking to see if it is ripe. They will not take a bite until it is. That day will come and the birds will feast. The fragile blossom will have given strength to the birds.


Don’t ever think that a deed that you do is small and unimportant. Don’t worry about it if it only lasts a short time and fades away. The smallest deed of sharing God’s Love that we do may drop or blow away. Like the blossom it may reappear in another form and provide great spiritual food for a hungering soul. If God can perform such miracles with a fragile blossom, just imagine how much more He can do with you and with me.


GOD’S PEACE SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

A COMMENT RECEIVED:

 

This was a wonderful article.  I love spring too and the new life it brings.  Indeed we need to take more time to share God's love --  even if it is just the "little things" we do.  C.C.

 

03/29/07

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TOO MUCH MILK


How many times have you poured just the right amount of milk into a cereal bowl only to discover that it was too much milk? I have done it many times. The question then comes, what do I do with it? I could put more cereal in the bowl, but I really don’t need any more to eat. I could give it to the cats, but we don’t usually give milk to them. I could pour it down the drain, but that would be a waste. I don’t offer it to others as they would not want what I have partially consumed. Usually I look around to see if anyone is watching, then lift the bowl to my mouth and drink that milk with all of the sweetening from the sugar. WOW, that does taste good.

God’s LOVE is like that. Maybe we are having some health concerns, maybe we feel lonely, or maybe we have done wrong and are filled with guilt. Whatever it is, we gather it together and put it in a bowl that we call our heart. We say that our hearts are heavy or our hearts are filled with hate, guilt, sorrow, or many other things. We go to God in prayer and ask Him to pour His Love upon us. When the milk of God’s Love has turned that heaviness into a new hope in life, we discover that there was too much Love and we did not use it all. This happens over and over and the question is, what do we do with it? We could try to put more problems in our heart, but we really don’t want to do that as we have enough problems without making up new ones. We could give the extra to the cats, but depending on the mood they are in they might reject it. We could just let it release from our hearts with using it, but that is a waste. We could try to sweeten it and use it all for our own advantage, but that would be more our love than God’s. What we should do is share it with others, no matter how much we have used. Take that extra Love that God gives to you and follow His lead as you share it with others. When God’s Love enters the life of another, you will almost be able to hear them say, WOW, is that ever good!

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

03/28/07

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I RECEIVED A NOTE FROM CURT ARENS


I received a note from Curt Arens
and it brought to mind a simple act of Christian Love and Support that I had overlooked. On March 13, 2007, I posted a THOUGHT based on an article that Mr. Arens had written, "They Saved St. James, Nebraska." Mr. Arens had seen this posting and wrote a kind note of response and support.


How many times have you ever written to the person who wrote a story, an editorial, or a news article that touched you? I have only done so on very rare occasions. Many people are frequent writers when they disagree, when they want to tear down, or when they have an axe to grind. These kinds of letters give the impression that the person had no right to state their own beliefs and feelings.


Why, as Christian people who seek to share God’s Love, don’t we write letters of praise, thanks, and encouragement to those who write about God-pleasing deeds that can make a positive difference in our world? It might be an article in a national publication, your local paper, or the newsletter from your church, organization, or favorite cause. When the name of the writer is with the story, there is often an e-mail address also.


It is my hope and prayer that somewhere a group of people who were inspired by the article that Mr. Arens wrote are meeting to make plans to save their village. It could also be a small group who live within a large metropolitan area who want to save their neighborhood. Only God knows what good things could happen to our communities, our nation, and our world if we responded to the good things that are written and encouraged those writers to continue.


I am going to send a note to Mr. Arens today.


GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

03/27/07

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I’M GLAD IT IS THE SABBATH


I write this THOUGHT, out of my life, as a companion to the DEVOTION for today. On March 9th, I posted a THOUGHT about a decision I made concerning “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.” This is now the third week that I will not be writing something to be posted on Sunday night.

I did not want to make the decision not to write on Sundays. It was a hard thing to do. Now I am glad that I did.

The Sabbath can now be a day of reflection. I am amazed by the thoughts and ideas that come to me.

The Sabbath can now be a day of reading, a day of relaxation, and a day to pause and give thanks for all of the Blessings I have received in the past week.

Each day is God’s Day, but I feel the Sabbath is His Special Day – a Day not to work for Him, but a Day to honor Him.

Do I regret not writing and working on Sunday? No.

As I write these last words and get them ready to send to be posted.......I’M GLAD IT IS THE SABBATH.

GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.

 

03/25-26/07

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Last updated on Saturday February 25, 2012 12:25 PM -0500