Devotions With Family

My brother, his wife, my wife and I spent a month together in Bradenton/Sarasota Florida. I believe it was the best trip that I have ever experienced despite the fact that my brother was part of our foursome. I will write about some of what we did another time, but today’s post is about the best part of our time together. 

Every morning our devotions focused on the reasons for adoring our Father. My wife, Sherri, led each day’s devotions. She spent a lot of time before we left home to prepare for our devotion time. Her preparation no doubt had been guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Here is a brief summary of how God blessed us. Sherri called on one of us to pray, asking God to prepare us to listen to what he wanted us to teach us about himself. Then we took turns reading some cards on which were several passages of scripture that pertained to how we should adore God that particular morning—for  instance, God who watches us, God who redeems us, God who loves us and God who heals us us to name a few. There are many ways we can adore our Heavenly Father. I guess we read at least 15 passages of scripture each morning. After the scripture passages were read Sherri would make some comments about these verses, and we spent time discussing what she had shared. 

We changed directions for the next part of the devotion. Sherri had selected a song that went along with each day’s plan for adoring God. She had made copies of the lyrics for us, and we took turns reading the verses of the song. Sherri then played the song on her computer, and as we listened we meditated on the words which so beautifully praised the Father. 

Finally Sherri read a daily devotion from a book called “The Book of Mysteries” by Jonathan Cahn. He is a Messianic Jew. Many consider him to be a modern day prophet. Every day we learned something that opened our eyes to a specific mystery about our Father. Our discussions took us deeper into our knowledge of who God is. Our knowledge of God on this earth pales in comparison to what we will know when we get to heaven. Our devotions ended in prayer.  We prayed  for people that we knew who were going through trying times. We prayed for our daughters, our grandchildren, and we prayed for each other. 

One last thing. One morning the four of us observed the Lord's Supper. I think we had focused on adoring God who sacrifices. That was an extra good morning, but there was one morning that touched all of us the most. On that morning each of us gave our testimonies. We have known each other for a very long time because we are family, but, even so, we expressed the pain from how we had been hurt more deeply than we had ever shared wi6h anyone else except God.  and troubles we had experienced. Sometimes it helps to when we vocalize the anguish that has been buried in our hearts. 

All of us have gone through some very rough times. It is good to tell someone who loves us about things that are tearing us apart.  God often heals us through the loving concern and touch from special people in our lives. The difficult times can make us stronger. Listening to someone else tell how God blessed them during the hard times can give us hope. My brother and his wife have been through some very trying times and God has been a powerful source of strength in their lives. They have learned much and in turn have given much. They have been a blessing to many. They both taught me a lot about depending on God in the storms of life..

After we finished giving our testimonies, my brother suggested that each of us should share our testimonies with our children and our grandchildren. These are the ones who need to know that life can and will be rough, They need to know that God has taken care of us when we were at our lowest. There is much we can share with them. You never know how God might use your testimony to bring those you love the most closer to him.

The Small Things

 Sometimes it is the small things that are the most important to us. In fact, as we think back on our life’s experiences there no doubt will be more little things that have blessed us than the greater things. 

Yesterday my daughter, Susan, showed me a web page from the church Sherri and I attended when we were at seminary in Ft. Worth Texas. . That was over 40 years ago. I have forgotten many of the names of very special people who God brought into our lives. I found a few old old videos from the years we were members there. These videos virtually reunited me with many of the people who helped us during a rough time when Sherri had a very serious surgery. As I watched the video I was blessed all over again by memories of the love shown us while we served in that wonderful church. Little things done, but huge in our hearts. 

The small expressions of love and kindness bless us when given, but they continue to bring joy to us long afterwards. They are stored away in our hearts, and in our quiet moments of reflection they may even bring a tear or two. I thank God for the little blessings which last a lifetime.

Adult Sippy Cup

 

This is my new coffee cup. It serves two purposes other than the obvious. First it is a thermal cup. With regular cups my coffee gets cold before I can drink all of it. With this cup my coffee remains hot for hours. Secondly this is a sippy cup.. I’ve needed a cup like this for a long time. It’s not that I am too old to keep from spilling coffee. I’ve been spilling coffee for many years. My inability to drink coffee without making a mess has plagued me since I first began drinking this addictive brew. In fact my habit of spilling coffee got me banned from certain areas in a school where I taught many years ago. New carpet had been installed in the office area. The faculty mail boxes were located there as well as the copier. There were several reasons that we had occasion to be in the office. 

The first morning after the new carpet had been put down the principal met me at the door and told me to never bring a cup of coffee in the office. From then on I had to get coffee after I had taken care of whatever I had to do in the office. This was not good. Several of my friends and I would gather in the office, drink our coffee and carry on a bit of foolish banter about nothing of any importance. It just wasn’t the same not being able to join in the fun without my cup of coffee. I think I was the only faculty member to be forbidden coffee privileges. Too bad I didn’t have an adult sippy cup back then. 

I can understand my principal’s concern. She knew that I was bound to spill coffee because when I talk I move my arms around and jostle coffee out on the floor. Sometimes I spill coffee without ever knowing that I’ve spilled it. I’m glad I have a cup that prevents me from sloshing coffee all over everything, even myself. I have worried that Sherri might start banning me from certain rooms in our house.

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Sent from my iPhone

Crash and Burn

Imaging you are on an airplane flying at an altitude of 33 thousand feet. You hear a loud noise, and the plan begins plummeting. Faster and faster it falls. People are screaming, oxygen masks have deployed and you are certain that you only have seconds to live. The airplane is out of control, and no one can do anything about it. The outcome will be a crash and burn tragedy. 

The good thing is that you are only imagining. Even if you are frequent flyer the likelihood that you will be on a plane that crashes is very slim. But sometimes airplanes do crash. However, there are other ways to crash and burn. This happens every day, but these situations will not be reported in the news. Unfortunately we watch as the lives of our friends, family members and neighbors spiral out of control.  

Many lives are crashing and burning. Marriages are tragically falling apart. Alcohol, and drug addiction are destroying people of all ages. Look at the ever growing number of businesses that have crashed and burned in the last year. Churches are declining all over our country. The quality of our education system is being destroyed by liberal minds who want to brai wash our children. The youth of America are being influenced by  the worldly life styles of the rich and famous. I guess many adults are also falling for the deceptive messages of the wealthy power hungry, godless people who seem to be living the good life. Our nation is on a down hill decline. Those in government are so consumed with hate, anger, deception and, may I add, stupidity, that  they will never work together to do what is best for people like you and me. Yes, nations crash and burn. Our nation is on a path to destruction. 

What is the answer? Or the better question is who is the answer? Who can open our eyes so that we can see the foolishness that has blinded us? It seems that every day someone comes up with the most outlandish, ridiculous ideas which those in power applauded. We scratch our heads wondering if these vehicles of utter depravity will ever end. When will this roller coaster ride end. 

Who is the answer? Jesus, he is the answer. He is the only answer. One day he is coming. He will destroy the evil and wickedness that has controlled the hearts of those who  are following Satan. Jesus will come to take his bride, to heaven. Jesus will direct us upward to glory. We will not crash and burn like those who have rejected the Lord. There will be no more fear of crashing and burning when Jesus comes back.

A Short Elevator Ride

 A Short Ride on an Elevator

Some things are just meant to be. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. We may entertain angels and not know it. Maybe you have had a heavenly experience, and you were left scratching your head because you could not put your finger on what had happened. . 

Yesterday I had a cardiologist appointment which was the reason we came home from Florida a week early. I got to the medical facility in plenty of time and cleared all the usual COVID security screening. I took my place in line to get on the elevator. Only three of us were allowed in the elevator at the same time. I got on with a young man and his mother. 

I usually try to speak to my elevator companions so I asked how everyone one was. The young man, probably 18 or 19 said, “I’ve been praying that I will get some good news today.” I replied, “That’s a good place to start.” He asked me how I was, and I told him that I thought I was doing well, but I would know more after I saw my cardiologist.” The mother said something, but I didn’t catch all of her statement. I did make out that she mentioned something about God. 

Her son asked me if I was retired. I told him that I was retired from both teaching and preaching. “So you were a pastor”, the lady asked. I answered, “Yes, I preached and pastored for over 40 years.” Immediately this sweet lady moved right up to me, placed her hand on my forehead and began praying. She prayed God’s blessings upon me and asked God to heal my heart.  I was surprised, but at the same time I was overwhelmed by the godly love I felt from this dear saint. I had chills running all over me. As she ended her prayer the elevator stopped at their floor. The young man wished God’s blessings on me, and his mother smiled and nodded. I said, “I’ll be praying for you”, and the door closed. 

I got off at the next floor and walked to my doctor's office. When I got there I realized that I had gone to the wrong office. I was at my eye, ear and throat doctors’ s office. Boy, did I feel stupid! There was no way I would make my cardiologist appointment. As you might imagine not only did I feel stupid, but I was very angry at myself for making such a mistake. I hurriedly marched to the parking structure, got my car and headed home. The things I was saying to myself were not at all uplifting. Then suddenly I thought about my short ride on that elevator with the boy and his mother. Maybe my mistake was meant to be!  Could my experience have been God working mysteriously in my life?  Were my two companions on that elevator actually angels?  All I can say for sure is that I was very blessed by those two, angels or not. Maybe my heart was healed! I don’t know, but I had certainly been in the glorious presence of my Heavenly Father.