Celebrate Today!

November 14

a time to be born and a time to die… a time to weep and a time to laugh

Ecclesiastes 3:2, 4

It was approaching midnight and the crowd in the waiting maternity room had dwindled to a handful of people. The long hours awaiting my granddaughter’s birth were filled with an extended dialogue between my wife, Nancy, my son, Eric, and me.

Eric and Lindsay’s childhood dominated the conversation. We laughed as we recalled events, each account bringing fond memories. As happy and laughter-filled as these memories were they were overshadowed by one particular event that evoked only sadness, and a sense of premature grief. Eric and Lindsay had lost a childhood friend in a tragic accident on New Year’s Eve a few years ago.

But on this night restoration of celebration was taking place.

“You know what tomorrow is, right?” Eric said.

“Yep. Linds and I were talking about that last week,” Nancy responded.

Eric looked at the clock on his iPhone, “It’d be fitting if Lindsay waits twenty minutes to have Jozlyn.”

Knowing the significance of tomorrow, I joined the conversation, “Frankie would have been what, thirty-five?”

“Thirty-six,” Eric said, still saddened by the loss of his close friend.

“It’ll be bittersweet, but it’ll be a great reason to celebrate November fourteenth again,” Nancy said, bringing the thought full circle.

†

One life ends, another begins. Such is the uncertainty of our days upon this earth. Psalm 139:16 tells us the day of our death is a known point in time. Yet, we tend to treat this fact with impunity. We’d rather not consider such truth...and because of our denial we take today for granted.

Today’s text reminds us that life is cyclical. We are born knowing we will one day die. This knowledge should motivate us to appreciate the present with the passion God intended. His desire is that we greet each new day with a desire to know Him better while finding joy in what we do.

November fourteenth hadn’t been ‘celebrated’ in a long time. However, with Jozlyn’s birth, our children once again had reason to laugh and rejoice as the memory of a close friend took on new meaning.

Prayer

“Lord of life, thank You for the miracle of life and the gift of today. Help me celebrate this day with purpose. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Special Needs

November 13

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

1Samuel 16:7

Michael Garcia approached the group, intending to take their dinner order. As he got close enough to hear the conversation that thought changed. One member of the group aired a demeaning insult that could be heard several tables away. “Special needs children should be special somewhere else!”

Michael, and everyone else who heard the comment, was taken aback. He knew they were referring to Milo Castillo, the Down-Syndrome five-year-old who sat at the next table. The Castillo family, regulars at Laurenzo’s, were shocked to hear such open slander. Being fond of Milo, the comment angered Michael. He approached the table, and with all the civility he could muster, said, “I'm not going to be able to serve you.”

“What?! Why not?” they asked.

“Because of your insensitive remark. How could you say that?” Michael demanded of the one who had spoken the heartless slur. “How could you say that about a beautiful 5-year-old angel?”

†

How have we sunk to the level of cruelty required to denigrate and belittle someone as tender as a five-year-old? Sadly, insensitive intolerance is all too common today, and offensive comments are made without apology or excuse. It would seem some people can’t get past outward appearance when it makes them uncomfortable. If anyone had special needs in Laurenzo’s that night it was the man who made the comment, because he was in serious need of a heart transplant. Voicing such an opinion in such a vulgar manner revealed a heart hardened by some unforgiven wounding.

Thankfully Michael, without thought of how his refusal to serve the group would affect his employment status, immediately responded to the intolerant customer. His action, applauded by not only the Castillo family and the owners of Laurenzo’s, was direct, decisive, and appropriate.

We should take a page from God’s Book, and look at the heart, which in Milo’s case is purer than driven snow, unpretentious, and more humble than someone born without Down-Syndrome.

Prayer

“Father of all those You call special, soften our hearts to see the true worth of everyone we meet. And may we champion those who need a voice. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Leverage

November 12

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2Corinthians 2:11 KJV

Kurt and Stevie decided to settle the matter by means of arm wrestling. They’d grown up watching the movie ‘Over The Top’ starring Sylvester Stallone, the truck-driving good guy, who beat the odds by winning the Las Vegas Arm Wrestling Tournament, and the top prize of a new semi.

Today it wasn’t a truck at stake, but a single baseball card of disputed ownership.

“No cheating!” Stevie admonished.

“I don’t cheat!” Kurt spat back. “I do what Sly did to gain an advantage!” he countered, referring to Stallone’s positioning his hand slightly over his opponent’s thumb to help cancel any size advantage by the use of leverage.

“That’s not fair! You’re bigger than me! I get to go ‘over the top!’” Stevie argued, as they wrangled for position.

Few things are as entertaining as two adolescent boys settling their battles through competition. Spurred on by an increase in testosterone, they exaggerate body language, posturing in an attempt to intimidate each other and gain a psychological advantage. This contest proved to be no different as Kurt and Stevie fought for any advantage. After all…there was a baseball card at stake!

Unexpectedly, Kurt hollered, “Go!” and instantly, Stevie was pinned.

“That’s not fair! I wasn’t ready!” Stevie argued, rubbing his sore arm, pointing out yet another problem with young aggression.

†

Leverage, defined as ‘an advantage in position or in means at one’s disposal’ is what Satan uses to gain unfair advantage when he detects weakness. Paul encourages us not to be ignorant of these devices.

In today’s text, Paul is speaking about forgiveness for sinners, by sinners. We are not to act as Satan, taking unfair advantage of others, and unwittingly becoming one of his pawns. As difficult as this sometimes is, we need to take a breath, step back, and ask God to provide the desire to exhibit the same grace we ourselves have been extended.

If practiced faithfully, grace and forgiveness become the leverage by which we overcome the enemy’s wiles.

Prayer

“Lord, help me discern any advantage the enemy would use as leverage in my life. Give me wisdom and conviction to live for You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 One Moment of Perfect Love

November 11

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34

The rafters of the Van Hoosen Middle School Auditorium in Rochester Hills, Michigan, reverberated above the crowd’s cheers. The motivation for their excitement? Seventh grader Owen Groesser, team manager turned player, had come off the bench as a substitute.

Owen was beloved by his teammates and coach, and they celebrated Owen’s appearance on the court as much as anyone. The reason? Owen was born with Down Syndrome.

The game resumed and the building shook even more as Owen took a pass on Van Hoosen’s end of the court. Everyone watched, including the opposing team’s players, as Owen launched his first shot attempt in organized basketball. The ball banked off the backboard and swished through the net! The noise level escalated to a raucous timbre. Owen had just made a 3-pointer!

Ecstatic over Owen’s achievement, the crowd was showing their approval of his shot and Coach Jeff Howell’s decision to give Owen some playing time.

Not satisfied with his initial success however, Owen sank a second 3-pointer just minutes later! The reaction of the crowd was so great that Coach Howell played Owen the next night as well, where he sank two more 3-point baskets. At the end of the game the team rallied around Owen, hoisting him upon their shoulders in victory!

†

In a time when there is an ever-increasing pressure to win it’s refreshing to hear a story of real sportsmanship emerge. There are few things in life that rival the fulfillment that emanates from the hearts of those who care enough to not only include Owen as one of the team, but herald his presence and triumphant accomplishments.

Only a heart that loves unselfishly would sacrifice the limelight so someone else might know the sensation.

This was a ‘team effort’ committed to bringing Owen a rare moment of joy he will remember for the rest of his life. It is one moment of perfect love. It is this love Jesus gives to us twenty-four seven, three sixty-five.

Prayer

“Lord, I thank You for fostering within me an unselfish love that has no agenda. May You find me anxious to help initiate and participate in these moments of perfect love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Testimony of Love

November 10

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Now in her nineties, Martha had taught Second Grade. “Emma was a beautiful little girl, but I could tell there was something wrong that day.” She shook her head sadly, remembering how her heart hurt for Emma.

“She just sat there, gazing longingly out the window at the other children as they laughed and played. I asked, ‘Why aren’t you outside with the other kids?’ Her answer broke my heart. ‘They don’t want to play with me, Mrs. Stull. They think I stink.’

I sat her in my lap and hugged her tight. I remember telling her, 'You are beautiful and I love you.’ She looked up at me and smiled. The belt on her tattered and soiled dress was hanging loosely so I tied it in a knot and told her to tell the others it was a ‘love knot’ tied by Mrs. Stull.

I always wondered what happened to Emma. Then one day, some thirty years later, a woman called my home and asked, ‘Are you the Mrs. Stull who taught at Elmwood Elementary School?’ I said I was, and she said, ‘Oh, I’m so glad I found you! I wanted to tell you how much it meant to me that you cared enough to put me in your lap and hug me that day! You saved my life! You didn’t know it, but my brother was sexually molesting me at the time, and I felt so worthless… but you told me you loved me, and that gave me the strength to go on! I now speak world-wide, telling women my story, encouraging them, and assuring them that they are beautiful and worthy of God’s love!’

†

We have the power to help heal wounds if we take the opportunity to say a kind word or do a kind act when it presents itself. Simple acts of kindness can heal a hurting heart, and far outlive the healer’s lifetime.

Emma was dealing with far more than any eight-year-old girl was ever meant to when Mrs. Stull saw a hurting child and acted in love. We can do the same when Holy Spirit leads us to those who are hurting.

Prayer

“Lord, show me someone who is hurting today, and fill my mouth with words of wisdom, so they feel Your love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 A Heart of Worship

November 9

These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Isaiah 29:13

Daniel paused while leading worship, “I grew up in the church. I had given my life to Jesus, and was active in youth group. I sang in the junior choir and attended church faithfully …” he paused. “But as far as worshiping the Lord went, I was only going through the motions. I worshiped God merely because I felt like it was my duty; like a slave obligated to his master.”

Daniel’s countenance changed as he continued, “But we were made for worship! And as scripture says, God inhabits the praises of His people. When that happens, Heaven invades Earth! God comes to us!”

“But as I said before, I’d invested nothing of myself … I was going through the motions out of a sense of responsibility.”

Daniel smiled, “But there came a moment, a moment when I finally understood this simple truth: God wants us to be in relationship with Him so we can discover how deep, how wide, and how far His love extends! I finally understood!”

He laughed, “Now I worship Him because I want to, because I love Him and I just can’t tell Him enough how much I appreciate Who He is and what He’s done for me!”

“So tonight, let go of your inhibitions, misconceptions, and fears, and worship God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength!”

†

True worship is born out of knowing we have been given mercy instead of spiritual death, grace instead of God’s wrath. Worship begins in each heart, birthed after this revelation, and then pours forth from a willing heart, a hungry heart, a heart of gratitude and understanding.

Today’s text reveals that many before us have held God at arm’s length, ignorant of the immensity of the sacrifice made to secure our redemption. Sadly, many never come to that understanding. You know when you witness it, because once the revelation hits you that God sacrificed His own Son on your behalf, it is impossible to merely offer Him lip service.

Prayer

“Father of redemption, I want to bring You the praise of my heart! Fill me with the song You gave me at my birth so I can sing it to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Let's Say Thanks Already!

November 8th

When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people...

Mark 8:6

Lindsay placed the grilled cheese sandwich in front of her eighteen-month-old daughter, Jozlyn, and turned back to get their drinks. Her mom, Nancy, was getting the rest of the food and condiments from the fridge.

Both heard 'jabbering' along with a slapping sound, and turned to find they were being beckoned. Ready to eat, Jozlyn was rapping on her highchair tray with her little hand, while trying to be understood in 'toddler-speak'.

Having gotten their attention, she held out her hands, looking with anticipation from her sandwich to her mom and grandma, and back to the sandwich.

Lindsay responded with a knowing smile. “Okay, Little J,” she said, as she and Nancy walked over, and took Jozlyn's hands so they could say grace.

As Lindsay said, “Amen,” Jozlyn pulled her hands away, picked up a wedge of her sandwich, and began eating; God had been thanked, her food had been blessed, and it was okay to eat!

Lindsay and Nancy smiled, delighted Jozlyn had waited to begin eating until thanks had been given.

†

The term 'Out of the mouths of babes' is apropos in this situation. Although complete understanding is years away, Jozlyn already knows the importance of bowing her head and thanking God for her food.

Having witnessed and been a part of prayer before every meal of her young life, Jozlyn, hungry as she was, knew she needed to say thanks for the food before she ate. Having her display basic understanding, and a willingness to adhere to her parent's teaching at such a tender age, was exciting.

We have many examples throughout scripture where Jesus and His Disciples showed gratitude for the things they received from the hand of God.

As Jozlyn's actions attests, we learn best by example, and God knows it. I think it quite probable that many in the crowd mentioned in today's text witnessed the value of giving thanks, and applied that simple yet powerful act of gratitude from that day forward.

Prayer

“Father, for all we receive from Your hand, we give You thanks! Amen.”