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.

.

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.

No Fear of Death

 My mom told me that daddy wanted to talk to me. I went into his hospital room and sat down on his bed. He was sitting in a chair directly across from me. He said, “Son, it looks like I am going to die.”  These were words a son never wants to hear his father say. He had just been diagnosed with leukemia. His doctor told him that little could be done to save him. Daddy continued our conversation by basically handing over to me many responsibilities which I had never dreamed I would own. He asked me to  help my mother run our grocery store, and to support her  in the things she would need to do after his death.  He wanted me to help my brother who was about to finish his first year of college. Finally my daddy gave me a condensed lesson on grocery store management. There were some things he wanted me to do immediately, and there were day to day responsibilities that he wanted me to handle. 

I was scared and it was all I could do to not cry. The only thing I could think to say was, “I don’t want you to die.” I knew that the chances for daddy to survive were very slim. The doctor had told us that what he was going to try was a long shot. Daddy said, “I don’t want to die either. but I am not afraid. I am trusting God. He knows what is best. If he chooses to take me now I am ready to go.”  About that time his doctor, a nurse and a technician who would begin administering daddy’s treatment entered the room. They asked me to leave. I hugged my dad and told him I loved him.  There were tears in his eyes. He said, “I love you too.” I had no idea that that would be the last words I would hear my dad speak.

My dad was in Parkview hospital in Nashville Tennessee. We lived about 55 miles away in southern Kentucky. I drove home that afternoon to begin taking care of the business my dad asked me to do. I sat in his office looking at the things on his desk. No one was in the store. Tears began running down my cheeks, and soon I began to cry. My crying turned into the most desperate prayer I had ever prayed, “Please God, heal my dad!“  Over and over I prayed, “Please God, heal my dad!” 

The next afternoonI I drove back to Nashville to check on daddy. He had been on that powerful chemo for twenty four hours. When I walked in his room I saw my mom, brother and aunt standing around my dad’s bed. Daddy was semi conscious, convulsing in horrific pain. For the next several days my big, strong dad had declined so much that he was barely recognizable. He wasn’t able to speak or respond in any way. We would go in and hug him and tell him we loved him. He knew we were there, but that was all. Finally, just nine days since he had entered the hospital God took our dad to be with Jesus in heaven. He died on May 20, 1972, less than a month after his fifty fourth birthday.

I will never forget my dad’s last words to me, “I am ready to go. All we can do is trust him.” I don’t think a young man who is beginning his adult life with a new bride, a first job teaching and coaching, and before another year our first child could ask for any better parting words from his dad. It has been 49 years since that last conversation with my dad.  I am so thankful for that farewell talk. Now I am 18 years older than my dad was when he died. I know that I am getting closer to the day when I will go to be with Jesus. I don’t think I will be afraid to die. Why should anyone fear knowing that Jesus will be waiting for all who have trusted him in all things.

Plumbing Gone Wrong

Many years ago my mother bought one of those cushioned toilet seats. She was going to hire someone to take the old one off and put the new one on. She told my brother Mike and I what she was going to do. I told her not to hire anyone, that Mike and I could do the job. She agreed to let us try, but she was a bit hesitant. My mother knew that my Mr. Fix it skills were very limited, and that Mike’s mechanical reasoning expertise was woefully lacking. There we were two brothers who were going to attempt something that would no doubt cause our mother great anguish.  

I got a wrench and began loosening the nut under the left side of the commode. No problem. It came right off. Mike said, “Let me do the other side.” I was the big brother so I told him, “I’ve got it.” I had already proven I was the expert. I began working on the right side, but the nut wouldn’t budge. There was no telling how many years that toilet seat had been on the commode. Rust had formed on the nut, and it was stuck tight. I said. “I don’t think we are going to be able to get this off with the tools we have. Let’s call Bobby to help us.” Bobby was our cousin. Getting that rusty nut loosened would be no problem for Bobby.  My suggestion was more reasonable than what Mike chose to do. Mike thought I should give him a try before we called our cousin. He picked up the wrench and began his attempt at getting the nut off. He was having no luck. He said, “I know how I can take care of this nut.” 

Mike got up and went to the utility room where my mother kept her limited arsenal of tools. He came back with a hammer and a screw driver. I knew there was going to be trouble when I saw what he had in his hands. That’s when the argument began. I don’t remember my exact words but I think I said something like, “You idiot, are you crazy? You are not going to use that hammer on this commode!” But Mike’s replied was exactly what I thought  it would, “I know what I am doing! You shut up and leave me alone.” We had had many conversations like this before. 

As always my mother walked in to get involved in our argument. When she saw what Mike was about to do she told him not to continue with his stupid plan. She didn’t say it like that, but I knew what she was thinking. Of course Mike didn’t pay any attention to what she was saying. He put the end of the screw driver on the nut and began hitting the end of that screw driver with the hammer. Tap, tap, tap. The nut didn’t move. The next sound we heard was a louder tap, and then the sound of porcelain crashing. The water in the commode gushed out all over Mike’s head and onto the bathroom floor. The right side of the commode was completely destroyed. My mother was speechless. I don’t know why, but I began laughing. “Good job Mike! At least you got the nut off. 

Mike was young when this fiasco happened. Our dad had just died. Mike was !9 years old and in his first year of college. I know he wanted to help mom with whatever she needed done. Sherri and I had only been married a year. Mike was the man of the house. He was going to take care of small jobs even if he didn’t know how. I think everyone of us have taken on responsibilities which were beyond our reach.  That’s when we need help the most. We can find direction in the Bible just for times we are not sure what to do. Here is great advice for removing the unmovable rusty problems that all of us will have some time  in life. 

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

This verse tells us to pause before diving head long into uncharted waters. Stop and seek good advice from those who have learned from years of experience. Listen to God. If you go it alone you might end up drenched by a flood of toilet water, so to speak.