GOD WAS WITH US

Jesus said, "I am the world's light.  No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness.  I provide plenty of light to live in."  John 8:12 (MSG)

This morning, my bible study group, proceeded with our lesson without our teachers (sometimes called facilitators).  Their absence was certainly not planned but-never-the less necessary.

With a nudge from God, we viewed and commented on the current  DVD presentation, discussed at length the people in our assignment (Genesis 31-36), the meaning of reconcilation between people and families, and God's love and role in making it all happen.

There was plenty of discussion, everyone had something to say, and we used the time well.  To me it could have been a modern Sunday School Class or even a first century church meeting in someone's home.  The class is a blessing and we proved that Jesus provided lots of light.

Dear God,  Thank you for today, the help from the Spirit within us, and for the gains we all realized; a better understanding of reconciliation, more wisdom to help our own lives, and a look again at your grace.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Quality of Life

They were helped…..He answered their prayers because they trusted in him.  1 Chronicles 5:20

For many years, I withdrew, almost completely, from making and receiving telephone calls.  I could hear the other person speaking but the words did not make any sense and I had to ask them to repeat what they said. Then, over time, I could not understand the repeat.  I began to rely on e-mail and cell phone texting for 100% of my communication needs.   

Recently, I have been making phone calls through a free web site which lets me read (on my computer monitor) what is said by the person I call.  A few weeks ago, a wireless carrier released a free cell phone app which does the same thing and makes my inbound calls even easier for the person calling me.  I now have a smart cell phone and it is all working quite well.

Hallelujah!  My prayers have been answered.  Technologies to the rescue……I now have a way to make calls and answer the phone.  Some times texting and e-mail just aren’t enough, and who knows, I may have to make an important call and the phone is the only way.

Dear God, thank you for this solution, you are the one who makes my quality of life better each day.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Kick the Habit

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

A long time ago I quit smoking...here's the story.  It was on a winter day, with about two feet of snow on the ground.  I rode to work with a friend and after he dropped me off at my office I realized that I forgot to bring my pipe, tobacco, cleaners, etc.  The morning was full of meetings and it wasn't until lunch time that I thought about my habit.

My first thought went like this.  I said to myself, “self”, borrow someone’s car (remember I had ridden to work with a friend), drive to the store in 2 feet of snow; buy a pipe, and tobacco, etc. etc.  My second thought, at the urging of the Holy Spirit no doubt, was “this plan is the dumbest thing you ever came up with.”  I never smoked again, and I never even experienced the urge.

Dear Heavenly Father, you were with me that day and every day making it effortless to kick the habit.  Even though I did not realize it at the time, I did not accomplish this healing alone, you stayed with me.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.   

ABOUT REMEMBERING

Psalm 71:20 “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.” 

On the morning of 9/11/2001, I was glued to my TV like millions of others.  America was under attack by terrorists and we were not about to miss a detail.  Except for those of us that remember the Pearl Harbor attack, it is extremely rare to experience war on US soil.

At one time in the 1980’s, I spent time in meetings with a client company who was a tenant on the 11^Th floor of the World Trade Center.  My company was located in upstate New York.  But, a couple of times each month, it was my job to meet with our client in his NYC offices.

It was traditional to fly to the city early in the morning and I have vivid memory the airport shuttle leaving me at the WTC.  Time and time again, I encountered thousands of people arriving at work at the same time, leaving buses, and subway trains.  Some elevators took people from floors 1-50 and others to the higher 50 floors.

On a separate occasion, we were half finished with our meeting in the middle of the day when it began to snow.  Thousands of people left for the day by the same transportation that brought them in the morning.  I had never been a part of such chaos or near panic in my life.

Dear God,  we pray that we can continue to move ahead with our lives, but at the same time, we never want to forget the events of 9/11/01.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen. 

GOD PROVIDES

 

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows."

I continue to be amazed each time I’m in the same room with my granddaughter Samantha.  Since 2005, I have been literally blown away by her determination, courage, and competitiveness. Recently, she attended “Camp No-limb-itations” for a wonderful day with friends.

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God, with your help, she has mastered a scooter, bicycle, pogo stick and even horseback riding.  She runs, skips, and hops everywhere; nothing gets in her way or holds her back.  She has the faith, persistence and self confidence to stay up with her peers.

Precious Lord, we thank you so much for your “good and perfect gift”, in the lives of these young girls.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

TROUBLE IN THE KITCHEN

 

Psalm 71:12 “Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.”

Disaster visited our house a couple of weeks ago.  It was horrible, like the end of the world, the light in the refrigerator burned out.  It’s always been one of those things you could depend on.

So I went to the super market and purchased a new 40 watt appliance bulb and brought it home reverently and gave it to my wife.  After several days of trial and error we still had a very dark refrigerator and had to use a flashlight to find the eggs, the new bulb worked in every socket but where it was supposed to.

One morning I opened the refrigerator door, pulled up a stool, sat down in front of the darkness, and said “God I don’t care if you help others today just assist me with this bulb.  Sure enough after many attempts the bulb went into the socket correctly and lit up the refrigerator.  Boy did we celebrate; finally we were back to normal.

Dear God, thank you so much for helping with the little things.  As we talk to you every day, help us to know and depend on your love to keep us on track.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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