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.

.

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.

END