The Breath of Life

The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living thing.
Genesis 2:7

The car came out of nowhere, slamming into the driver’s side door of her SUV. The side airbags deployed immediately, preventing her serious injury. But the man in the oncoming car had been ejected through his windshield, coming to rest on the hood of her car. Regaining her senses, she climbed over the console and exited the passenger side door, coming around the front of the car to check on the man. Holding her fingers to his neck, she discovered he had no pulse. Climbing up beside the man, she began first aid. Looking for blockage in his airway and finding none, she pinched his nose and began respirations, then pumped on the man’s chest. She continued CPR, and after five repetitions, the man responded, yet remained unconscious. He was transported to a nearby trauma unit where he eventually recovered from his injuries. The very person he hit had saved his life by providing the precious breath necessary to sustain his life.

†

It has been said we breathe some of the very air Jesus himself breathed two thousand years ago. Science says that all oxygen is recycled, stating that .00037 percent of all air molecules have been co-breathed by everyone who has ever existed. Regardless of the validity of that statement, we have all been given the gift of life. When God “breathed into his nostrils,” He created life and an oxygen-rich environment capable of sustaining that life. We should never mistake the truth of the statement made in this passage. He didn’t just bring Adam to life; He created an atmosphere that would sustain us forever, giving us an opportunity to understand the awesome power of God.

Prayer

“Breath of Life, we thank You for life-giving oxygen. Without it, we could not survive. Help us to understand the power You possess and Your desire that we become vessels of that same power through the gift of the Holy Spirit. May we become fresh breath in a stagnant world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Proper Timing

Whoever obeys his commands will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
Ecclesiastes 8:5

He stood silently by and watched as I swung the sledge against the wedge, attempting to fell the tree. It was a big, old tree, seventy feet tall and spreading out some forty feet. It would make a lot of firewood. I began to hear a chuckle every now and again.
After ten minutes of pounding, I was tiring quickly and sweating profusely. I’d made no progress, and he was openly laughing. In my wounded pride, I said, “If you think you can do it better, have at it.” He stepped over, re-placed the wedge, and in three, well-timed swings, dropped the tree right were he wanted.
Exasperated, all I could do was shake my head, smile, and ask, “So what’s the secret?” My father-in-law winked, pointed at the sky, and said, “You have to look up when you’re wedging a tree. You wait until the tree sways against the wedge, then, as it begins to sway the other way, you drive the wedge deeper and wait, driving it deeper with each swing. It’s all in the timing. To get the timing right, you have to look up.”

†

Often, we struggle against unseen pressures, forgoing the council of those wiser than ourselves. Instead of seeking their experience in regard to the pressure we’re facing, we forge ahead, making our own way. Our self-sufficient mind-set doesn’t leave much room for admitting we could benefit from someone else’s wisdom, and our efforts are diminished when we navigate life on our own. Like wedging a tree, we need wisdom concerning our actions in overcoming the pressures we face. God, if we will allow Him, can move people and sway things to work in our favor, moving them in such a way that it increases our strength, not deplete it. “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” That’s God, us, and others.

Prayer

“Lord, I tend to have tunnel vision at times. Please whisper for me to look up to You. Help me change from my self-sufficient ways in an effort to become God sufficient. I admit I cannot do this on my own. Amen.”

One Moment of Perfect Love

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, 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

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 will only take the opportunity when it presents itself. That simple act 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 shows us 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.”

The In Between

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1

There were tears mixed with laughter at the dinner. There must have been three hundred people in attendance. All of them had come to share precious memories of the man they had laid to rest that morning.
He had not been a pillar of the community, nor was he well known outside this circle of friends. Yet his life had a profound effect on the people he touched.
A philanthropist of sorts, Byron had given over seventy percent of his meager earnings to others in need. He’d held on loosely to what he had; it was his way of giving to the Lord. He never made it public and would have denied any connection to the prosperity others enjoyed due to his generosity. He lived a simple life in a simple home.
His wife had preceded him in death. He’d kept her memory alive by spending time doing things they’d done together: walking in the morning dawn, watching the sunrise, or watching the eagles soar over the river bottoms, so majestic and awe inspiring. Simple. Yes, that was how he’d seen himself.
But these people knew him for who he really was. He’d shared selflessly with each one of them somewhere between the day of his birth and today. They each had a personal story of his eager generosity. And together they represented his in between.

†

Gravestones are purchased to memorialize the life of loved ones. On them we place a date of birth and a date of death. But what happens between those two dates is how we will be remembered.
In verse four of today’s text, Paul spoke of “one hope”: the hope we have in Jesus through His Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit at work in us, the Spirit of God Who teaches us how to live. Our response to His urgings can make a difference in the lives of untold numbers of those in need if we respond accordingly.
How will we be remembered for our in between?

Prayer

“Spirit of God, lead me. Help me make a difference in the lives of those who need a special touch. And help me remain obscure whenever my pride screams for recognition. Help me be a vessel of hope. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Splendor of the Son*

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28–30

The rain sounded so relaxing with a cadence that lulled you into restful slumber. It fell all through the night. In the early morning hours, when the temperature was at its most frigid point, layer upon layer of ice formed, causing tree branches to bow down, almost touching the ground. As the sun rose over the horizon, the boughs glistened with dazzling beauty. And although the rays of sunshine continued to dance on the frozen limbs, the temperature remained at the freezing point.
Some branches that had been shielded from the full cascade of rain began to gently ease upward as droplets of water fell from their grasp. Some remained bent and looked as though they longed for relief.
Unfortunately, the early morning sun hadn’t reached many of the heavier, ice-laden branches, and they snapped, broken and lifeless—branches that had glistened in the splendor of the sun, branches that wished to grow, but could no longer bear the strain of the weight.

†

What a tremendous waste that so many trees would be destroyed because they weren’t strong enough to bear the additional load. And so it is with us as the wounds and disappointments accumulate, causing unbearable strain because, due to embarrassment and pride, we cut ourselves off from the critical help we need. We pridefully believe that no one else could ever understand. And so the wounds continue to build, weighing heavily on us, our emotional and spiritual stability ready to break at any moment. If we refuse to share our pain, it will eventually consume us.
Jesus never meant for us to carry such burdens alone, and we should never allow them to cling to us until they gradually overwhelm us. Unlike the tree, we need not be broken. We can be wonderfully wholehearted, overcoming the seemingly insurmountable pressures of life if we turn to Jesus. Jesus wants to carry our burdens so that through His efforts we will reflect the splendor of the Son.

Prayer

“Jesus, thank you for giving me rest. Help me learn how to give you all my burdens, both great and small, so the things of this world don’t overtake me. Amen.”


*Written by Nancy Clouston

Praise and Cursing

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:10

Brian vigorously shook his hand, cursing, as if by doing so it would alleviate the pain in his thumb, the one he’d just smashed with that blasted hammer.
“Sorry, Lord,” he said sheepishly. “It just slipped.” Nowadays, he didn’t slip as often as he used to. Nevertheless, his vulgar language was something he needed to work on. He hadn’t realized how trashy his language had become until three years ago when his four-year-old son had sworn in public, using God’s name in vain, along with some other embarrassing language. Unfortunately, it had been said in front of Brian’s aunt who was visiting the family.
The epitome of a lady, his aunt had attempted to alleviate everyone’s embarrassment by saying, “Oh, the things kids learn in school these days.”
But Brian had to admit that Bruce had picked up the language at home. After all, he wasn’t even in school yet!

†

Brian attended church on a regular basis, and he truly believed he was living a godly life. But when we use our own moral compass to guide ourselves, we will end up off course.
God knows our weaknesses and loves us in spite of them. We are to be the best representative of Christ we can. And that requires conscious effort.
James wrote much about our tongues and how they can create serious issues. Our words will either lead others toward Christ or away from Him. We need to be conscious of the way we speak and the words we use.
Swearing does not bring glory to God. Consistency is important, not only when in public, but especially when we are by ourselves. It requires spiritual discipline to be a good example. There are no occasions in which we are totally alone; God always hears what we say. Being consistent begins with being conscious of Whose we are.

Prayer

“Loving Father, I need Your strength. I try to deny that it’s a big deal when I swear. Help me understand the effect my words have on others. Show me the truth of my actions. Help me to be a better representation of Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Finish Well!

Forgetting what is behind … I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13, 14

The young man was pleased with the progress he had made. The model of his latest architectural masterpiece was taking shape! It wouldn't be long before he could present the project to the marketing department. He thought back to the break he’d been given three years ago.
He had landed the job with this firm, had his own office, and even had an expense account. He had become dependable, earning their trust and thanks by producing exceptional buildings with beautiful renderings and visual stimulation. His designs were second to none; his talents were much sought after in the construction industry.
But what many people were unaware of was that Jason had been in prison. There had been a time in his life that he had broken the law. He had paid his debt and now worked hard to build a better life for himself and his family.

†

We are sometimes judged, justly or unjustly, by our mistakes. What matters more than the mistakes of our past is how we finish. We are unable to personally atone for the past; only the blood of Christ has that power. But by making changes and right choices in the pattern of our lives, things can change for the better.
People tend to judge with historical data, not affording grace to those who have made mistakes. In Jason’s case, they knew of his criminal record and still chose to extend him an opportunity. Like that firm, God sees our full potential and withholds judgment until we finish.
Throughout biblical history, we see evidence of esteemed men and women making mistakes yet finishing well: Abraham, Isaac, David, Rahab, and the Samaritan woman, even Mary Magdalene. All of them broke God’s law, yet each changed and finished well. We have the ability to do the same. By forgetting the past and pressing forward in Christ Jesus, we too can finish well.

Prayer

“Judge of the universe, thank You for calling me in Your direction. I get so bogged down when I focus on my past failures. Help me focus on the right course in life and keep my eyes pointed in the right direction with my head lifted up. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Deliberate Investments

Be Shepherds of God’s flock…

1 Peter 5:2

Hardy moved quietly, trying not to awaken anyone but his eight year-old son, Griff, “Hey Buddy,” he whispered while softly shaking Griff’s shoulder, wanting to awaken, but not startle his son.

Griff was groggy at first. Then, in that first moment of awareness, when we lay hold of understanding, Griff sat upright, they were going fishing! “Is it time?!” he asked excitedly.

“Yep!” Hardy could barely restrain his laughter at his son’s immediate transition from dead sleep to wide awake, Funny how the mind works its way through the fog of unconsciousness into stark clarity so quickly when it’s something fun!

Twenty minutes later, breakfast consumed, fishing gear loaded, and the boat hitched to the truck, they set out for the lake and a day of adventure.

Griff was a live-wire, shooting rapid-fire questions, hardly allowing Hardy time to answer before the next one burst from his lips, “Where we goin’ first?! Can I drive the boat?! Do we have ’nough worms?! Didja get the bigfatjuicyones?!”

“Whoa, Buddy! Don’t wear yourself out before we get there.” Hardy smiled, remembering mornings like this when his Dad had looked at him in amusement, while shaking his head and patiently answering each question in its time.

This was going to be a great day, full of possibilities; a day of memories waiting to be made and experienced!

†

Hardy loved to fish because his father had taken the time to introduce him to the sport. He had deliberately invested in his son; depositing knowledge, wisdom, and time, so that Hardy had the best chance at becoming a man of character, one who looked out for others. Hardy, likewise, wanted Griff to be a man of instruction; a man able to make good, well-informed choices. In short, he understood a father’s charge: shepherd your flock.

Our sons and daughters will exhibit only the characteristics we take the time to model for them. If we deliberately invest in them they will not disappoint us, or society.

The truth about time is that it is fleeting. We should endeavor to not miss a chance to plant good seed into each moment provided.  

Prayer

“Help me plant good seeds, Lord. Show me when and what to deposit into my flock’s lives, Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ”

Plans of Hope

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future … You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11, 13

Work was coming slower due to the housing crunch, and Gary was stressed. The bills were mounting; there was unspoken strain between he and his wife, and he didn’t know what to do. He’d been trusting God for as long as he could remember, yet this was different; there seemed to be a silence on God’s part right now. He felt they were being tested to see if they really believed what they professed, that God would meet all their needs.
A friend suggested they allow their prayer time to become a time of listening rather than petitioning. So over the next two weeks, Gary and Beth spent their mornings together, asking only for God’s wisdom to deal with each day and what it brought, looking to Him for guidance and strength.
Job contracts remained flat lined; it seemed as if nothing was happening, yet during those two weeks, they had felt God’s peace. This morning, they’d received a card in the mail containing well wishes and fifty dollars from an anonymous donor. Two days later a friend dropped by with a bag of potatoes and a sack of onions. Over the next several weeks, they watched as God provided in ways they never would have imagined.

†

When we’re stressed out and fretting over unmet needs, we can get emotionally bogged down. God’s voice can become white noise in our lives, and we can lose hope.
The art of listening is something we develop. It requires intentional thought. In a chaotic society that vies for every thought, we must force ourselves to slow down, spend time alone with God, and listen. By listening for His voice instead of immediately trying to resolve problems on our own, we become aware of God’s leading. It is then we learn to walk beside God and not run ahead into hopeless frustration.

Prayer

“God of hope, we ask to hear Your voice so that we may know You are near. Help us trust You and Your plan for our future. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Little Arrows

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalm 127:4–5

Having received three calls in the last two hours, the police chief was compelled to respond to the clinic’s complaints and asked the protesters to move an additional fifty feet from the clinic.
Suddenly, everyone’s attention went to the young couple exiting the building. They were smiling and holding hands. Still in college, they had not planned for children this early in the marriage. Unsure of how they would meet the medical bills or find the needed finances to raise the child, they had considered abortion.
They stopped and shared their decision to keep the child with the group outside the clinic. Elated by the news, several protesters donated money to help with immediate expenses. They gave them names and phone numbers of people willing to provide assistance, from aftercare to babysitting.
One protester,  an OB/GYN, gave them her business card and asked them to call her office for an appointment; she offered them free prenatal care.

†

We are mistaken when we believe that the choices we make don’t influence others. Abortion is a procedure that ends life. The child is persecuted to death; they have no say in the matter, and the miracle of life is snuffed out in an act so wrong that there are no words to define how a holy God feels about it.
Roe v. Wade provides the legal right to end life in the womb; it does not justify it before God. It neither has the ability to stop the truth of how precious life is nor when it is conceived.
God alone is judge and jury; as His servants, we are to champion the unborn, love the unlovable, and be a guiding influence in difficult circumstances, reaching out when each opportunity presents itself. God can change lives when we make ourselves available.

Prayer

“Father of all Creation, forgive us for a selfishness and arrogance that allows us to end life in the name of personal choice. There are no excuses we can bring you. Reveal to the world Your heart regarding the sanctity of life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Garbage Tampering

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19–20

He carried the garbage to the curb as he had for the last two years, leaving the bags the prescribed three feet from the road. It seemed innocent enough, yet today it felt deceitful. You see, he’d been putting his trash out with the neighbor’s, allowing her garbage man to pick it up.
It hadn't seemed like such a big deal. After all, he gave his neighbor money once in a while to help her out and ease his conscience. But today, as he carried the bags to the curb, he was overcome with a startling conviction that this was wrong.
Admitting his actions had been a form of stealing, he carried the bags back to his trash bin, went into the house, and called the refuse company to admit his deception, asking forgiveness and offering to pay restitution if they required it.

†

We spend our days making choices that affect our lives not just for the immediate future, but by setting patterns. When we set wrong patterns, we hinder God’s ability to bless us. We dismiss these little issues without much thought because we've ingrained these patterns in our lives to the extent that we categorize our sins—a form of desensitization. “Nope, can’t do that; that one will bring lots of grief!” “That’s not so bad as long as no one finds out; it won’t really matter.”
Today’s text reveals that God sees everything we do, knows every thought we embrace, and we alone are subject to His blessings or curses. We live our lives asking for and expecting God’s blessings but are frustrated and can’t understand why life is an uphill battle most days. Could it be because we don’t recognize or admit that the little things we’re hiding stand in His way? It is God’s desire to bless us.

Prayer

“Father God, giver of blessings and curses, help me to live a life worthy of blessing. I don’t do well on my own. Reveal to me anything that would bring death. Help me remove them from my life and draw nearer to you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Precious Insults*

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you … because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:11–12

The prisoner lay in a huddled ball in the corner of the damp, dark cell. It smelled of urine and vomit from not being cleaned in weeks, if not months. They had just thrown him head first into the cell. Unable to brace himself because of the beating he’d just received, he landed on his face, re-injuring the broken nose he’d suffered two weeks ago in another similar beating.
Le Chen whispered, “Yesu, you are stronger than Mogui (1) and all who torment Le Chen. I thank you that you think Le Chen is worthy of suffering for Your name.” Chen had been a prisoner for three months now. He’d been charged with subverting Chinese law by worshiping in his home and possessing part of
Shengjing (2). It was unlawful to worship outside the Chinese government’s ‘Three-Self Church’ in Honshu Province, or anywhere in China, for that matter, or to possess a Bible in part or whole.
Being tormented for their faith was nothing new to Chen or his family. The Le family counted it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ.

†

Many Christians will never suffer the pain and persecution portrayed in today’s scenario. Many, however, do or will.
If given the circumstances of Chen, how would we fair? Would we count it a blessing to suffer for the cause of Christ, or would we complain about the conditions?
The secret is in how we relate our lives to the suffering of Christ. Have we died unto ourselves in Christ? Or is that just a fashionable statement?
Jesus wants us to relate to him in such a way that our desire is to look just like him in every way.
Eternal perspective is about bringing the kingdom of Christ to the here and now so it can be seen by those in need. It’s about understanding that our suffering is not to be considered a high cost in light of eternity.

Prayer

“Yesu, I ask for strength and courage to stand up in your name. Tell me when and where to speak, for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s in Your Name I pray, amen.”

* Adapted from Randy Alcorn's book: Safely Home, with Randy's permission
1 Chinese for Satan
2 Chinese for Bible

Pay Attention

If only you had paid attention to my commands.
Isaiah 48:18

As Wendy put her foot on the ice, Bridgette cautioned her, “I wouldn't go out on the ice yet, Wendy. It hasn't been cold long enough to be safe.”
“Oh, you’re just a wuss!” Wendy said and stepped completely onto the pond.
“There’s no ice in the center of the pond, Wendy!” Bridgette stressed. “It’s not as thick as you think! Don’t be foolish, please!” she begged.
“Aw, come on, it’s safe enough right here!” she chided and jumped up and down to make her point.
In the next instant, they heard a loud crack. Fear and panic replaced Wendy’s bravado as she disappeared through the ice! She came up flailing and screaming, “Help!”
As Wendy floundered, Bridgette ran to the farmhouse. She was met by her father who’d heard her screams and come to investigate. Bridgette’s explanation came spilling out in a terror-filled voice. Grasping the situation, he turned and ran to the barn, grabbed a rope and sprinted for the pond. Hollering to Wendy to keep treading water, he hurriedly tied the rope to the dock, secured it to his waist, and crawled out onto the ice. As he neared his frantic daughter, the ice gave way. Swimming the remaining distance, he grabbed Wendy, then using the rope, slowly pulled them back to solid ground. Once she was safe, he verbalized his displeasure, “Now you know why I told you to stay off the ice until I said it was okay. Next time, pay attention.”

†

It is my belief that God would like us to pay attention. But being the self-sufficient people we are, we set out on our own when His instructions don’t lead in the direction we’re headed. We foolishly tell ourselves, “It won’t happen to me, I’ll be fine!” only to find out too late that it happens to us all at one time or another.
God is not a domineering Father who doesn’t want us to enjoy life. On the contrary, His commands have a purpose meant to protect us from ourselves and others. But free will being what it is, keeps God from enforcing our obedience.

Prayer

“Lord, Help me understand that Your commands are meant for my own good and not the demands of a high-handed Father. Amen.”

Our Daily Bread

Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11

The Ryersons were in for the evening. So upon hearing the doorbell, Christian asked his daughters if one of them was expecting a caller. “No, Dad,” they answered in unison.
Rising from his chair, he answered the door, surprised to find three young children pressed against a diminutive woman, trying to hide within the folds of her skirt. They peeked at him with shy smiles. “Excuse me, sir,” the woman began. “I saw the light in your windows. My car has broken down, and I would like to use your phone if I could to call for assistance.” She appeared to struggle with her own shyness but remained resolute about getting this matter resolved.
“Come in, please,” Christian said, waving his hand for them to enter. “There’s a fire in the hearth if the kids would like to warm themselves,” he added, winking at the children, who looked hopefully up at their mother.
“Yes. Go ahead,” she responded. “But behave yourselves, do you understand?”
“Okay, Mommy!” they hollered over their shoulders, running for the warmth emanating from the den.
Christian ventured, “Perhaps I can take a look at your car while you and the children remain here? I might just be able to repair it.”
“Oh, I wouldn't want to put you out,” said the woman quickly.
“It’s no problem.” He assured her, grabbing his coat. “Which way down the lane and how far is it?”

†

God sends our daily bread as we need it in myriad forms.
Are we ready, like Christian, to be used to meet a need at an unexpected, and possibly at an inconvenient time in the name of kindness and compassion? Or more aptly defined, in the name of the Lord?
The Lord’s Prayer is not an empty petition to be recited by memory with no thought of its depth or meaning. How better to show the love of the Father than by the giving of ourselves rather than our possessions?
It’s far easier to offer our phone than our services. And being used as a blessing is not a requirement. But if this were your wife and children, would you not pray they find their daily bread?

Prayer

“May You find me willing to be used as someone’s daily bread today, Lord. Amen.”

This Man I Call ‘Dad’

January 4

“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.

2Kings 2:10

One day as my father and I visited, I made a request, “Dad, I want a double portion of your anointing…a double portion of your Pastor/Evangelist/Teacher mantle!”

He smiled and teased, “You know that Elisha asked Elijah the same thing, right?”

Pretty sure of where this was going I said, “Yeeees…”

“You have asked a difficult thing,” he said, eyes twinkling. “Yet, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not!”  

We both laughed. I knew there was truth in his jest, but the way he’d said it tickled me.

While driving home, I reflected on the rest of the conversation. I knew I had already received much of who Dad was. And although I didn’t realize it as it was happening, Dad had managed to pour into my life by example.   

He had taught me many things; how to be a man, a good husband and father. He taught me how to use my hands, and not to be afraid to dive right in and get things done. Yet in all the things I learned from watching my father, none was more significant or vital than observing his example of how to be a Christian.   

Dad taught me that Christianity is a lifestyle, not a cliché, and that a life lived unto the Lord is wrought with challenges. Watching him meet those challenges without complaining or grumbling said a lot about the character of this man I call Dad.  

†

My father is a great man of God. He has faithfully served the Lord for more than half a century. I aspire to do the same in my lifetime.   

1Peter 2:21 says, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Having had my Dad be that example has been a tremendous blessing, one for which I will be forever grateful. I pray that it would be true in your life as well.

Prayer

“Thank You, LORD, for my father. I ask for a double portion of his anointing in my life. In Jesus’ Name I ask this, amen.”

Dedicated to my ‘Pop’, Rev. John A. Clouston

From: More Snapshots: continuing the spiritual journey

By: Craig Clouston

©2011 c.clouston creations, LLC

Mourn Just a While

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

In a daze at the graveside, the young parents were thinking about that moment three days ago when the switch to the respirator had been turned off. Their infant son, Michael, had been born with no brain function. Prenatal ultrasounds and sonograms had been business as usual. There had been no cause for alarm, no telltale signs, until Michael was born.
A void so vast with a sense of unending pain gripped them as they laid their son to rest. They were to begin grief counseling with their pastor tomorrow. An older couple from church had called last night to offer words of comfort and hope. Right now, comfort was elusive and didn’t feel like an attainable goal. They felt the pain of a loss so unspeakable that it tore at their hearts with relentless realization. Their son was gone! They didn’t know if they would ever recover. Quite honestly, today, they didn’t much care about the future. In time, they would learn that grief is a process. Comfort would come. But today they mourned.
The older couple had reached out in experience. They had lost twin daughters several years before in a car crash. They knew firsthand the pain that gripped this young couple, and they wanted them to know that God could heal their pain. It would not go away immediately, but with love and support, they would weather this storm.

†

The loss of a child seems so unfair. Death has a way of seeming final. And comfort is so elusive in a child’s unexpected passing.
Mourning is a process; it teaches us to respect and appreciate the sanctity of life. The process of mourning grows us in ways nothing else can; it causes an urgency of purpose, and focusing on that purpose is where the healing begins.
Death is not the end; it is the promise of a new beginning. Mourning may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Prayer

“Abba! We cry out in our pain. Bring comfort and peace to those who know this pain. Bring direction to their lives this day. Show them how to bring this pain to You so they might be healed and find peace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Spotlight

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77:14

The officer listened as the radio dispatch reported a westbound motorist in the eastbound lanes of the interstate he was patrolling. The driver was traveling in the wrong direction at a high rate of speed, heading toward his position. Entering the westbound lanes, he turned on his spotlight, hoping to alert eastbound drivers to the danger while systematically looking for the wrong-way vehicle. Radio reports told him that he was ahead of the vehicle, so he slowed down.
Scanning back in the direction the vehicle was coming from, he spotted the car’s headlights, a stark contrast among the taillights in that lane. He could see motorists taking evasive action to avoid the oncoming car.
As the vehicle approached, he matched its speed, shining his spotlight on the driver-side window in hopes of getting the driver’s attention. Finally, the driver responded and pulled over. As two other cruisers pulled up, he turned off the spotlight.
Just as the light winked out, he remembered the repair order he’d issued on this car two weeks before for a broken spotlight. Trying the spotlight once again, it failed to work. Exiting the cruiser, he used his flashlight to illuminate the spotlight. He noticed the same broken bulb from two weeks ago lying at the bottom of the lens. The repairs had not been completed!

†

There are those who question whether God still performs miracles. Some feel the need to explain how things happen.
Whether you believe this story or not will be determined by Who you perceive God to be. By explaining how things happen, we maintain a false sense of control over them. If we are unable to explain the how of events, we are then required to believe by faith.
God continually displayed His power among the nation of Israel during the exodus, yet they continued to rebel because miracles themselves do not ensure belief.
The story above is true. Events are related exactly as they happened. God is big enough to make a broken spotlight work. He leaves the belief part up to us.

Prayer

“Teach us to have faith, Lord. And forgive us for our doubt. It’s not always so easy to believe without seeing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”