The Greatest Gift

It is not uncommon to run into someone who doubts God's love. Perhaps they once thought he was loving, but now they are convinced he is not. They see no evidence of it. Usually, this bitter and cynical attitude toward God is connected to some event or series of events that seemed extremelyunfair. As a result of their perception of God, theylashout with anger toward God. Where do we get the idea that God is indebted to always keep everything safe and explainable in life?

The Scriptures from cover to cover declare God's love for us. In fact, he forever proved his love for you and me:

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ
died for us! Romans 5:8 (HCSB)

Verse 10 states that not only were we sinners, but we were enemies of God. Nevertheless, Christ died for us.

In what way were we enemies of God? Our hearts are set on rejecting his wisdom to follow our own plans. We reject his holy ways and life for our own selfish, ungodly lifestyle. We chose to call whatever we feel like doing or believing "good" and consider God's goodness to be "bad." In and of ourselves, we are enemies. As such, we are separated, estranged, from God, by not only our deeds, but by our selfish hearts and souls.

God could have written us off, but instead Christ (the sinless, perfect Son of God) came to die in our stead on the cross. He died in our place. On the cross he bore our sins, and died in our place. Three days later, he rose from the dead. When we are willing to acknowledge our sin to God, accept what Christ did on the cross for us and believe that God raised him from the dead, we can be forgiven of our sins. Not only are we forgiven, but we are completely made acceptable to God. The person who places their trust in Christ is at peace with God and he is at peace with them--Reconciled.

What a gift. To have someone pay my sin-debt. To take my punishment so that all my sin which created a barrier between God and me could be removed! And so I could be at peace with God, myself and others. This is how much God loves us. The experience of this gift brings great joy.
Romans 5:10 says since he loved us enough to die for us, we know because he lives, we can be secure in our relationship with God.

Have you experienced this gift?

Where To Go?

What do you do when your discouraged? Where do you go?

Every one of us has resources to help us in times of discouragement or trouble. The Christian has two great sources of encouragement: a living relationship with God and the fellowship of other Christians.

Need some encouragement? God is the God of all mercy and comfort.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3 (ESV)

Paul refers to suffering and comfort frequently throughout Second Corinthians. In chapter four he reveals some of the emotional and physical struggles he had experienced:

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV)

Paul knew firsthand about trials, confusion, discouragement, and persecution. He knew about fear and weakness:

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.
(2 Corinthians 1:8 ESV)

"When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia" (2 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV).

"...our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn— fighting without and fear within" 2 Corinthians 7:5 (ESV).

Where did Paul turn for comfort, help and strength? To "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and all comfort." He turned to the same One Jesus turned to--the Father. Warren Wiersbe writes, “We are precious to the Father and He will see to it that the pressures of life will not destroy us.” (Be Encouraged, page 14)

God is the Father of mercies. All mercy finds its origin in God. Mercies refers to compassionate pity towards someone in need. In Christ, God does not give us what we deserve. Instead, we are recipients of His comfort. The word "comfort" mean "to come alongside to help. God's comfort encourages us to keep going. God's comfort strengthens us. In 2 Cor 4:8 Paul reminds us that we may be afflicted with suffering, but God keeps us from being crushed under the pressure. We may be perplexed, confused and discouraged, but God comes alongside to keep us from utter despondency. We may be persecuted, but we know we are not left alone. We may be beat down, but God's power keeps us from being destroyed. No wonder Paul could praise God.

What do you do when you are discouraged? Where do you go? Let's do what Paul did and go to the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Let's trust the One who loves us and
enables us to overcome.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:32-33, 35-39 ESV)

Everyone Needs Encouragement

All of us occasionally deal with discouragement and even depression. It might be a day or it might be a whole season of our lives. I know a little bit about discouragement and depression. There have been seasons in my life when I have been discouraged to the point of feeling like a failure. In the early 90s, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and began taking medication for it. That really made me feel like a failure as a Christian. I mean, after all, if I was a strong Christian, I should not get depressed to that point, right?

It was encouraging to me to discover that two great preachers also struggled with depression. Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said, “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.” Another great preacher, Dr. John Henry Jowett once wrote, “You seem to imagine I have no ups and downs, but just a level and lofty stretch of spiritual attainment with unbroken joy and equanimity. By no means! I am often perfectly wretched and everything appears most murky.”

Each of us needs encouragement from time to time,

• as we seek to live for Christ in a world that makes this increasingly difficult,
• as we struggle to develop and strengthen relationships,
• as we strive to serve Christ,
• and as we face life’s trials.

There were a number of contributing factors to my clinical depression: a life of taking lots of different medications, spiritual struggles that I did not know how to handle, and post polio syndrome (PPS). Interestingly, depression and chronic fatigue are two companions of PPS. And believe me, that is discouraging at times!

Paul knew what it was to be discouraged. He wrote to the Corinthian believers, "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. (2 Cor 1:8 ESV, www.bible.logos.com). Paul learned that God, both, could and would see him through. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1:3 ESV).

The Christian has been given two great sources of encouragement: a living relationship with God and the fellowship of other Christians. Need some encouragement? God is the God of all mercy and comfort.

When you are depressed, you may not feel His presence, but He is there with you. Talk to Him; read His Word and let Him speak back to you. When you are depressed, you feel like withdrawing from people. That will only make things more lonely and darker. Seek the fellowship of other Christians.

Living Worthily

In my quiet time this morning my reading focused on Ephesians 4:1. Paul begged his readers to "live worthily of the calling with which you have been called" (NET Bible). This is an intense call. An urgent call.

In the previous paragraph, Paul ended his second prayer for the Ephesians with a doxology.

"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or
think—according to the power that works in you— to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 HCSB)

If God is to be glorified in my daily life, as Paul challenged in Eph 4:1, then He must be glorified, not just in my words of prayer, but in my life.

If I desire to see God honored and glorified, then I must start with my lifestyle first. It is meaningless to pray that God be glorified in some general way, if I do not desire him to be gloryfied in my life.

Paul pleads that the Ephesians see the depth of God's love, realize how deserving He is of all honor and glory, and then live worthily of being called by Him.

If I do not live worthy of God's call on my life, then I will not glorify him, I wll not see him work in me and through me fully, and other believers will be affected.

A worthy walk is not optional.

A New Year: What To Do With It?

A new year! 2009.

Why is it that the New Year always seems to bring out the desire to establish new resolutions? New goals? The end of the old and the beginning of the new year cause many of us to reflect on how we lived out the last 12 months and we see areas for improvement. Generally speaking, our New Years resolutions last just a little longer than it took to make our list. A few actually keep theirs for two or three months!

Now, I'm not going to share my New Year resoluations with you. One of you might actually ask in a couple of months how I am doing with them!

There is one area though that I would like to work on that I will share here -- I want to get to know God better in 2009.

I used to work in a Christian bookstore. During the 10 years I worked there I noticed that most Christians (about 75%) bought fiction, self-help books, feel-good books and books about finances. Comparatively few bought books that would help them grow as Christians or help them grow in their relationship with God. From what I observe now, little has changed in the Christian community with which I have contact.

In today's devotional reading from the Everyday With Jesus Bible Holman Christian Standard), Selwyn Hughes wrote about this issue. It isn't that "these subjects are unimportant," he says, "but they are explored in a self-absorbed way that gives the idea that the most important thing in life is knowing ourselves better. It isn't. The most important thing in life is knowing God better."

He adds, "I tell you with all the conviction of which I am capable: if God is not our primary focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus." I can certainly testify that this is true. Everytime I get my focus on my life, my problems or events around me, it is only a matter of time before my joy and peace are gone. These other things loom huge, and God seems more distant and impotent. But if my focus stays on God and getting to know His character and ways better, then my life, my problems and even the events going on in the world all fall into place.

This year I want to get to know God--His nature and His ways--better.

And yes, you can hold me accountable as to how I'm doing in the process.

Why Was Jesus Born?

This last Sunday, we discussed the birth of Christ in Sunday School. It was a good discussion.

One of the questions that was asked was why was Christmas celebrated on December 25. That is a good question. December 25th is most definitely not when Christ was born. That date was chosen by Constantine in the 4th century. It was actually the date on which the pagans worshiped their sun god. In an attempt to appease both Christians and pagans, Constantine let the pagans keep their celebration date, but said that the holiday would be in honor of the birth of the Son of God. The birth of Christ probably took place sometime between April and November—after the winter season and in between the two rainy seasons.

While December 25th is not the actual date for Christ’s birth, it is good to celebrate the amazing fact that God entered the human scene as a newborn baby.

Another thing we talked about are some of the contrasts we see in the birth of Christ. For example, Bethlehem means “house of bread” in Hebrew. Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born in the house of bread. We see the Word of God (John 1) born as a speechless baby. The announcement of Christ’s birth was first made to shepherds tending their sheep on the Judean hillsides not far from Bethlehem. Jesus is both the Lamb of God (John 1:36) and the Good Shepherd John 10). There are other contrasts too. Can you see any others?

The birth of Christ is a great miracle, but we must ask the question, “Why was Jesus the Christ born?” Not to be a good example or a great Teacher, though, he was both of these. He did not come to enlighten us. He came to do far, far more than all these things. He came to die on the cross so that we might live. God is perfect love, but our determination to push God off and to run our own lives our own way have separated us from God. He loves us, yes, but we chose to go our own way. The consequence is that we died spiritually and unless our debt of rebellion is paid, we will be eternally separated from God. Our sin is against an infinitely perfect, holy God. There is no way we can earn God's favor. We can turn over a new leaf, but that does not undo what we have done and what we are. So Christ came. God became a human, though He did not give up His deity, and 33 years later He gave his life in our place, as if he were the one who sinned, yet he never did. His was an infinitely, perfect sacrifice. Now, God promises that if we believe that Christ died in our place, rose back to life three days later and we yield the control of our lives to him, God will make us right with himself, forgive us of our sins and give us a new and eternal life.

His Faithfulness

This morning in Sunday School we talked about God's goodness, love and faithfulness to us. He is utterly good. Utterly dependable and utterly faithful. Psalm 100 verse 5 says, "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." (NIV)

We tend to take God's amazing grace for granted when everything is going well. When times are difficult, we usually don't feel God's love--at least at first. As we focus on God, recall His faithfulness to us and look at our circumstances through His eyes, we are able to rely on Him. We are also enabled to express thanksgiving, and He shares His peace and joy with us.

How can we know that God truly loves us and is at work around us? By looking at Jesus Christ.
On November 29, 1776, Anglican hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'He knows our sorrows, not merely as He knows all things, but as one who has been in our situation, and who, though without sin himself, endured when upon earth inexpressibly more for us than He will ever lay upon us.'

Romans 5:8 says, "But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" (HCSB) God demonstrated His love by fleshing it out in the person of His Son--both through His life and ministry, and, especially, through His death.

Blessings

"Count your many blessings, name them one by one" encourages the hymn. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It is NOT Turkey Day, though we will eat turkey. It is not a day set aside to commemorate the turkey, although it almost became our national bird. Thanksgiving is the special day set aside to commemorate the blessings we have received and to invite us to review them "one by one."

In keeping with the tradition of Thanks-giving, I have been thinking about what I'm thankful for. Here are a few "biggies" on my list.

• Patty, my wife
• Family (immediate and extended)
• Home
• Wonderful coworkers
• Good friends
• Peace of heart
• My Bible study small group
• My Sunday School class
• My church
• Music
• Color
• Sight and Sound
• God
• The Bible (God's Word to us)

I hope you have made your list of blessings. A friend of mine created a "Thanksgiving Jar." Every day of the year she writes down something that she is thankful for. When Thanksgiving comes, she pours out her jar and reads and thinks about all 365 blessings. What a great idea!

Better Together

Sunday was a special day. Because of breathing problems, I had been unable to attend Bible study and worship services the last two Sundays, but yesterday I was able to go to Sunday School and worship service. It was so good to be back with the class I lead and to be able to worship with my church family.

Christians are commanded to "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19 NIV) . Obviously we cannot do this solo. We cannot do this sitting at home watching a church service on TV. While that can be a blessing, each believer needs to be connected to other believers. We grow together, serve together and flesh out the Christian experience in relationship with other Christians. The theme of the study my church just finished was, "We are better together." I hope you are connected to a church family and a Bible study group.

Cold Air and I'm Missing!

Well, it's Sunday morning and I am sitting at home blogging instead of being where I want to be. Not that I object to visiting with everyone, but in just a few minutes I should be leading my Sunday School class. Then at 10:45 I should be heading to a special worship service. Over 130 people fom my church just finished the study called 40 Days of Community. Today we are celebrating all the wonderful experiences people have had over the last 40 days in the small groups. I was so looking forward to the event; I guess, in part, because I helped set up the small groups and kinda nudge them along.

Why am I not there? Because the temperature this morning is 28! The air is too cold for me to breathe in, especially since I am not over the breathing problems I have had the last two and a half weeks. Because of my lung problems, I have to wear a cold weather mask when I go out in the cold. My old one tore and no place locally is stocking them now. The place where I have always been able to get them is out of business.

I tried using a dust mask, Friday night when I ran over to Mom's, but that just didn't work. It doesn't warm the air as you breathe, plus cold air gets in around it. Partly as a result of getting out Friday, I had problems off and on all day yesaterday.

Everyone keeps saying, "Use a muffler." I'm sorry, but if a person is having problems breathing you don't wrap their head up! At least not mine!

I have located a cold weather mask on Amazon.com, but I do not have it yet. Until I do, I will miss some things.

I posted this on MySpace.com/ElectricRacer, but some of you don't visit me there, so I decided to post it here also so more people can feel sorry for me. :-s

One of the saddest words I know is th...

One of the saddest words I know is the word "worthless." Worthless means that something has no value. It is useless. Of course, sometimes worth is in the eye of the beholder. What is worthless to one person, may be of great value to another. Usually we use the word worthless in connection with inanimate things. Any number of things can be useless. Some information is useless. Many actions are without any value or worth. Sometimes, the word is used with reference to individuals. But if people are created in God's image, can anyone be truly worthless?

What is saddest of all is when someone has become convinced that he or she is worthless. Perhaps they have been hurt or rejected. Maybe they were told by someone who was an authority figure that they would never amount to anything. Some people feel worthless because they have been the victims of abuse -- whether sexual, physical or emotional. Many people who suffer from some type of addiction come to think of themselves this way. Repeated failures and relapses into sinful behavior convinces them that they have no worthless and hopeless. When a sense of worthlessness is acute, it can lead to suicde. The person reasons that others would be better off without him.

How wonderful to know that God never considers us worthless. In His eye you have great value. And He paid an infinte price for you so that you could be His possesssion. His child and be transformed into His masterpiece.

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! Romans 5:8 (HCSB)




For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)

That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? Romans 8:28-32 (MSG)

I loved this quote and thought I would post it for your to read. On this day in 1777, hymnwriter John Newton, best known for the hymn Amazing Grace, wrote in a letter:

'God often...takes a course for accomplishing His purposes
directly...contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings
a...death upon our feelings, wishes and prospects when He is about...to give us
the desire of our hearts.'

I know this has been my experience before. Certainly it was Abraham's experience, as well as, the experience of numerous other biblical characters.

Whichever Side Your On, We’re On This Ride Together

Well, it is almost two days after the elections. Emotions are running high and range all over the scale with a few indifferent individuals in between. Some I have heard or been around practically worship President-elect Obama. Others are scared to death of him. The majority either love him or hate him.

Whatever your political persuasion, some things are clear. One, America has come a long way to be willing to elect a Black President and seriously consider either a woman President or Vice President. I can still remember the 50s and 60s. We have a long way to go, but we have come a long way too.

Secondly, the internet has become a potent force in the political climate. Obama recognized the potential and capitalized on it. McCain and his advisors underestimated the power of the web.

Third, more and more people vote based on their feelings and media emphasis. All issues take a backseat to one's perceived need, perceived reality and feelings. Whoever does the best job of appealing to felt needs and felt reality stands the best chance of winning.

There are other things that should be clear to every Christian. If they aren't, then it is most likely because of personal bias and choice. The Scriptures make it clear that God is in control. Daniel 2:21 states, "It is He [the God of heaven]…who removes kings and establishes kings." Job 42:2 emphasizes, "I know that You [the God of Israel] can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." Those Christians who are claiming that all is now lost, indicate by their words that their faith is in human government and men rather than in God. In other words, they have a faith problem. Some obviously seem to have a love problem also.

A second fact that should be clear to any true follower of Jesus Christ is that we are commanded to pray for our leaders -- that includes President Bush and President elect Obama, plus our other leaders. I Timothy 2:1 says, "I urge that entreaties, prayers and petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." If you have forgotten your history, recall the Nero was in power when Paul wrote those words.

There will be days of testing ahead for President elect Obama and for every American. He will be tested and tested soon on the international level, where he is largely untried. Look for one or more major tests to come soon--from the Middle East, Russia and/or Asia. Obama will also face difficult tests on the domestic front. We need to pray for the current and next President. We also better make sure our faith is in the right place and is growing.

I am thankful that God is in control, has a plan and purpose and that I can know His peace.

Blessed Beyond Measure

Last week, Patty and I were blessed by some very special friends. A Bible study small group (part of our 40 Days of Community emphasis) adopted Patty and me for the week. They made us the object of their love and encouragement. Each member of the group did something to bless us.

One blessed us with dinner to Chilis, which we will use when Patty gets adjusted to her new teeth. The children of another family made sack puppets for us. We each received a fruit plate and we were blessed with emails and notes of encouragement. One man came by the house and gave us a gift certificate to Sonic--one of our favorite fast food places. The climax came Saturday when three members of the group and their children came over and surprised us by mowing and raking our backyard.

I tend to feel a little embarrassed about being the recipient of such attention --especially having the yard done. It was an embarrasment because the yard was looking pretty shabby. God, however, showed me that my pride was out of place.

Patty and I are both very grateful for the affection and encouragement we were given. It has amazed and humbled us. What a precious group of people God has given us the privilege of knowing. They are a wonderful family.

Focusing on God's Goodness

I wanted to share a couple of thoughts today from my study in the Book of James.

James 1:16-17 says, Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)

God gives only perfect gifts
Faith is rooted in the trustworthiness of God's character. If Satan can convince you that God is withholding something from you or that He does not really love you, the Devil has won a major victory. Once you doubt God's goodness you can more easily fall prey to other temptations. If you have a proper focus on God's character though, this will give you strength and confidence when facing trials or temptations.

God is supremely good. He gives perfect gifts to His people. The word "perfect" means complete or whole. The whole of God's gift is for our good, not just a part of it. The only kind of gift God can give is a completely good one. "Even when we do not see the goodness in it immediately, it is still good if it came from God" (Warren Wiersbe).

God gives in a good way
Not only is every gift perfect, but every gift is good or as some translate it, "Every act of giving is good." Some people give good gifts, but in a poor manner. They begrudge giving. They may make you feel guilty for accepting the gift. Not so with God. As james 1:5 states God gives wisdom generously and without reproach. Every gift that God gives is given freely and in a good way.

They Walk Among Us!

Some days call for a few chuckles. This is one of those days for me!

Having said that I share the following laughs that were sent to me by a friend. Note: The "I" in the story is not me. If you think so, then you are one of "them."

They Walk Among Us!

I was at the checkout of a K-Mart. The clerk rang up $46.64 charge. I gave her a fifty dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64. I gave it back to her and told her that she had made a mistake in MY favor and gave her the money back. She became indignant and informed me she was educated and knew what she was doing, and returned the money again. I gave her the money back again...same scenario! I
departed the store with the $46.64. This actually happened to me in Austin at MoPac Blvd and Parmer Lane . ...............

They Walk Among Us and Many Work Retail.
I walked into a Mickey D's with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a sandwich. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said "buy one-get one free." "They're already buy-one-get-one-free", she said, "so I guess they're both free" She handed me my free sandwiches and I walked out the door. ...............

They Walk Among Us and Many Work Retail.
One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?" ..............

They Walk Among Us!
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the north?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh I don't keep up with that stuff." ...............

They Walk Among Us!!
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific." ...............

They Walk Among Us!
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk. ...............

They Walk Among Us!
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, has your plane arrived yet?" ...............

They Walk Among Us!
While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces."

Be All There

I read a quote by Jim Elliot, the missionary martyr. He said, “Wherever you are, be all there.”

There are times when, though my body is one place, my heart is someplace else. We’ve all experienced that at times.

As a Christian I need to live alert to the moment I have. Alert to the situation at hand. God is at work in the lives of people all around me. When I go through the motions of life, without being fully engaged, it is easy to miss what God is doing.

When we are present someplace, but not fully there, we fail to see opportunities to serve and love in Christ’s name.

Paul told the Ephesians, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Eph 5:15-17 NLT)

The challenge: Wherever I am, be all there, and make the most of every opportunity I have to honor my Father and to love others.

Ingenuity

I was reading the blog of a friend, Susan, who lives in Spring Branch, near Houston. She and her husband had boarded up their house and faired pretty well through hurricane Ike's rampage. However, they have been without electricity since the storm. In her blog she shared how they cooked the lasagna that was in their freezer by placing it on the head cleaner of their pickup. Theyve also been using an adapter to plug their laptop into the truck's power source.

I've used an adapter in our van several times to power different things while traveling. I have charged the battery on my powerchair, operated a laptop (which I no longer have) and used a heating pad on my neck and shoulders. The adapter has been a good investment; I would not trade for it. However, though, I've heard of cooking food on one's engine, I've never tried it. Pretty smart idea. Oh, the lasagna--it took about 20 minutes to get hot.

Living Memorials

There are two historic events that were so forceful at the time, they remain an indelible part of my memory.

I still remember where I was and what I was doing when President Kennedy was assasinated--I was in the hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. I saw it on the TV and told the first nurse who came into my room and the news spread through the hospital. The second event was 9/11. I was at work when someone called and told us. I immediately pulled up the news on the computer. Shortly, after that, we got the news of the second plane hitting the towers. I knew then that it was an attack. It seemed like the bottom of my stomach dropped. When I got home I stayed tuned to the news watching the events unfold.

The following story, which I received via email today, I share with you. It is a beautiful and moving story. I hope you will read it in it's entirety. It is entitle "Turning Tragedy into Triumph" and is from TGIF, Today God Is First, Volume 2, by Os Hillman

"So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you" (2 Cor 4:12).

On 9/11/01, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller had just completed his shift when he heard on his truck's scanner that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. Siller quickly turned his truck around and attempted to drive back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel but found the entrance blocked by abandoned vehicles. Desperate to join his elite Squad One brothers, Siller donned 75 pounds of fire gear and ran a mile-and-a-half through the tunnel, before an emergency vehicle picked him up and dropped him off at Tower Two.

Siller had been orphaned at the age of 10 and raised by his much older brothers and sisters. Siller died that day trying to save others. He left behind a wife and five children.

His story proved so inspirational that it became a legend in the newsrooms and firehouses of New York City. His six siblings - who in many ways viewed Siller as a son, as well as a brother - found themselves grappling with a dilemma: should they allow the tragic circumstances of their brother's death to paralyze and embitter them or use it as a catalyst to help others and preserve his memory?

The Siller family chose the latter.

Once they made that decision, and armed with no extraordinary wealth or political clout, the siblings combined forces to convince New York officials to close down the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel the last Sunday morning of each September and stage the "Tunnel to Towers Run" to commemorate their brother's heroic last run.

Each year since 9/11 tens of thousands of runners have retraced the steps of a hero. As part of the event 343 New York City firefighters, each representing a fallen comrade and holding an American flag, stand throughout the length of the tunnel. They are joined by firefighters from across the United States, each holding a poster-size picture of a firefighter who perished on 9/11.

The Siller family has raised more than $1 million and donated the money to charities
that benefit families of those affected by the 9/11 attacks.

This is a tribute to one heartbroken family who opted to channel its energy
into triumph out of tragedy.

(Note: no changes or deletions were made to this email)

Living By A List

Usually, I carry a to-do-list in my pocket. Organization and detail are important to me, and my intention is to accomplish everything on the list within two days. The last 7 days, though, my current list does not seem to be shrinking.

I am still carrying most of the same items on my list today, that were on there 8 days ago! I have actually finished a few things, which is always a good feeling! But while I have been whittling down my list, other items have attached themselves to it. Urgent, must-do, tasks crowd themselves onto my list, especially at work.

I have tried to encourage these interlopers to find someone else's list to attack, but my uninvited guests seem to have an agenda of their own. They, also, apparently have cousins that invite themselves onto my to-do list for home!

Because most of my list is staying the same, I am tempted to just stop looking at it. Perhaps, ignoring my list would discourage my urgent visitors from frequenting my list. I have also considered shredding my list, and just starting a new list--one that is friendlier and that posses a new face.

A third option is to surrender to the urgent, whatever it is and whenever it occurs, and postpone the items on my list. This option would help guarantee job security--I would be indispensable. And at home I would be as busy as I have time to be, while, at the same time, I could maintain a list that proves I have plenty to do.

Of the three ideas I have considered, option three seems the best. Certainly it is less cruel than giving a cold shoulder to my friendly to-do list and definitely kinder than killing it! Yes, procrastination is a real possibility.

According to my wife, I show an occasional knack for putting off some jobs. Perhaps, that is why my friend Ziggy showed up on my home page the other day to encourage me .