Just blogging today! I didn't realize an entire week had passed since I wrote the last blog. I know some of you are concerned when you don't hear from me for a while, so thought I'd better stay in touch.
We spent a lovely Christmas with friends who have a beautiful home near the top of a nearby mountain. There were 34 in our group this year! The sun was shining and we could see across the ocean to Puget Sound.
Today, however, we've had snow and hail. In fact, right now, the hail is a couple inches deep! And it's cold enough that it's not melting! Since living here, my husband has seen more winters without snow than winters with the white stuff. But not last year. And they say we're in for a rough winter this year, too! So far it looks as though that prediction is correct!
What with catching up from the year-end activities and preparing for another session of our Bible Study to begin, I'm going to take a little vacation from blogging -- but I'll be back before too long, so don't forget me. That will also give me time to work on my computer which is "acting up" right now. In fact, I can't even get on my blog site on my own computer. So I'm using my husband's PC to write this!
In the meantime, have a happy and prosperous New Year.
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
IF YOU LOOK FOR ME AT CHRISTMAS
I received the following poem just this morning via email from a friend. It's too good not to pass on. As I was checking for the author (who, by the way, is unknown), I came across the following devotional site that seems to be filled with scads of poems and short stories. In case you'd like to check it out, it's http://www.devotions.co.uk/healyou.shtml.
IF YOU LOOK FOR ME AT CHRISTMAS
If you look for Me at Christmas,
you won't need a special star--
I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
I'm right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me
Amid the celebrations--
You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.
You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason that I came,
And you'll find Me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.
Love,
Jesus
Preacher's Kid
IF YOU LOOK FOR ME AT CHRISTMAS
If you look for Me at Christmas,
you won't need a special star--
I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
I'm right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me
Amid the celebrations--
You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.
You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason that I came,
And you'll find Me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.
Love,
Jesus
Preacher's Kid
Monday, December 20, 2010
THE SPIRITUAL STANDBY
One of the first times I saw a news report about an airport being closed due to inclement weather was on a New Year's Day when travelers were stranded in airports for an entire weekend. One fellow the news reporter interviewed said he was hoping for a standby flight home so he could get to work on Monday. These days airport closures and unhappy stranded passengers almost seem to be the norm! Maybe you've even been the victim of such a situation.
Friends of mine were once on a standby flight but not because of bad weather. They deliberately gave up their seat to someone who was in need of an emergency flight. The airlines announced that if anyone would be willing to give up their seats, they would be given a free flight to anywhere in the United States they wanted to go. They quickly determined that a standby flight was worth the offer!
Did you know that in the spiritual realm we, as Christians, have a Standby? No -- I'm not talking about a standby trip to Heaven! That's one trip that will be not be cancelled when our time comes! In fact, I'm not even talking about a trip. I'm talking about a person.
Listen to John 14:26, Amplified Version. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things.
Isn't it wonderful to know we have a heavenly Standby in the Holy Spirit? And to think He will teach us all things. If you're like me, you have a lot to learn and need a trustworthy teacher you can rely on. Just the other morning as I was getting ready to go to one of our local nursing homes and give the devotions, while I was brushing my teeth and preparing to rush out the door, I asked the Lord to show me if He wanted me to change my talk. And you know what? Immediately the Holy Spirit whispered to me and told me to read a poem about a Christian's first day in Heaven! I wondered if that might be somewhat depressing to people in their final years, living in a nursing home, and confined to wheelchairs. But I listened to the still, small Voice. And guess what? I got an unusally good response from my audience. One person even told a family member about it and how much he enjoyed it!
So, remember -- you have a spiritual Standby. Just be sure to listen for His voice.
Preacher's Kid
Friends of mine were once on a standby flight but not because of bad weather. They deliberately gave up their seat to someone who was in need of an emergency flight. The airlines announced that if anyone would be willing to give up their seats, they would be given a free flight to anywhere in the United States they wanted to go. They quickly determined that a standby flight was worth the offer!
Did you know that in the spiritual realm we, as Christians, have a Standby? No -- I'm not talking about a standby trip to Heaven! That's one trip that will be not be cancelled when our time comes! In fact, I'm not even talking about a trip. I'm talking about a person.
Listen to John 14:26, Amplified Version. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things.
Isn't it wonderful to know we have a heavenly Standby in the Holy Spirit? And to think He will teach us all things. If you're like me, you have a lot to learn and need a trustworthy teacher you can rely on. Just the other morning as I was getting ready to go to one of our local nursing homes and give the devotions, while I was brushing my teeth and preparing to rush out the door, I asked the Lord to show me if He wanted me to change my talk. And you know what? Immediately the Holy Spirit whispered to me and told me to read a poem about a Christian's first day in Heaven! I wondered if that might be somewhat depressing to people in their final years, living in a nursing home, and confined to wheelchairs. But I listened to the still, small Voice. And guess what? I got an unusally good response from my audience. One person even told a family member about it and how much he enjoyed it!
So, remember -- you have a spiritual Standby. Just be sure to listen for His voice.
Preacher's Kid
Friday, December 17, 2010
SPIRITUAL PATCH-UP JOBS
Patch-up jobs are sometimes necessary, but they can be ugly looking things!
I remember when the Savings and Loan where I once worked moved into a brand new building which included a lovely, new snack room with table, cupboards, and kitchen sink with running water. One fateful day I was getting a ceramic mug out of the cupboard above the sink and accidentally dropped it. It chipped the white enamel on the edge of the sink and left a big black spot. The boss repaired it, but the outline of the hole was always there to remind me of my awkwardness! Somehow it spoiled the newness of the otherwise spotless kitchen!
I won't bother giving you the details of the time I tried to patch up the spots on my dark green Maverick where the thinning paint began to show through. Let's just say it looked as though my car had a bad case of the measles!
Too many times we are content with patch-up jobs in the natural. And if we're not careful, we let ourselves be satisfied with patch-up jobs in spiritual matters, too! It's so easy, especially during the Christmas season, to get so caught up in plans, shopping, festivities, etc., that we ease up on our devotional times. We satisfy ourselves with a promise snatched out of a "Promise" box instead of really reading the Word of God. We let our prayer life, slip, too, and just say a quick prayer now and then while on the run! Spiritual patch-up jobs! We may even miss a church service, or a Bible Study in order to catch up on our various activities. Or maybe we choose to sleep in on a Sunday morning to get some badly needed rest! More spiritual patch-up jobs!
I know you're exceptionally busy these last few days before Christmas, but take time to make a spiritual inventory of your life. Are you settling for spiritual patch-up jobs? I hope not!
Preacher's Kid
I remember when the Savings and Loan where I once worked moved into a brand new building which included a lovely, new snack room with table, cupboards, and kitchen sink with running water. One fateful day I was getting a ceramic mug out of the cupboard above the sink and accidentally dropped it. It chipped the white enamel on the edge of the sink and left a big black spot. The boss repaired it, but the outline of the hole was always there to remind me of my awkwardness! Somehow it spoiled the newness of the otherwise spotless kitchen!
I won't bother giving you the details of the time I tried to patch up the spots on my dark green Maverick where the thinning paint began to show through. Let's just say it looked as though my car had a bad case of the measles!
Too many times we are content with patch-up jobs in the natural. And if we're not careful, we let ourselves be satisfied with patch-up jobs in spiritual matters, too! It's so easy, especially during the Christmas season, to get so caught up in plans, shopping, festivities, etc., that we ease up on our devotional times. We satisfy ourselves with a promise snatched out of a "Promise" box instead of really reading the Word of God. We let our prayer life, slip, too, and just say a quick prayer now and then while on the run! Spiritual patch-up jobs! We may even miss a church service, or a Bible Study in order to catch up on our various activities. Or maybe we choose to sleep in on a Sunday morning to get some badly needed rest! More spiritual patch-up jobs!
I know you're exceptionally busy these last few days before Christmas, but take time to make a spiritual inventory of your life. Are you settling for spiritual patch-up jobs? I hope not!
Preacher's Kid
Monday, December 13, 2010
SPIRITUAL LIMPETS
Ever heard of a limpet? The limpet is a relative of a snail and has a one-piece shell like a pointy hat. It has one big foot and a strong suction cup but no eyes. Limpets are rock dwellers and always go back to the same rock after eating. Sometimes they use the same spot for their whole life.
If you were walking along a beach and came upon a limpet unawares, you could knock him off his rock with your walking stick. But if the limpet sensed that you were approaching, there's no way in God's wide world that you could knock him from his perch. His suction cup is so strong and powerful that nothing, but nothing could move him. That limpet wouldn't understand what was happening. It wouldn't understand what you wanted. It wouldn't understand how intricately it was made. But it would do the one thing it knew how to do -- it would cling!
How we need spiritual limpets today -- people who know how to cling to the Rock Christ Jesus. People who know how to cling to God's promises in the face of any and all difficulties. Even though they do not understand what's happening, or why some things are happening, they do what they know to do best -- they cling to the solid Rock!
In the face of life's raging storms, in the face of untold difficulties, in the face of perplexing problems, get hold of a promise from God and cling to it for all you're worth! God watches over His Word to perform it, and you will not be disappointed.
Are you a spiritual limpet? If not, start working toward becoming one today.
Preacher's Kid
If you were walking along a beach and came upon a limpet unawares, you could knock him off his rock with your walking stick. But if the limpet sensed that you were approaching, there's no way in God's wide world that you could knock him from his perch. His suction cup is so strong and powerful that nothing, but nothing could move him. That limpet wouldn't understand what was happening. It wouldn't understand what you wanted. It wouldn't understand how intricately it was made. But it would do the one thing it knew how to do -- it would cling!
How we need spiritual limpets today -- people who know how to cling to the Rock Christ Jesus. People who know how to cling to God's promises in the face of any and all difficulties. Even though they do not understand what's happening, or why some things are happening, they do what they know to do best -- they cling to the solid Rock!
In the face of life's raging storms, in the face of untold difficulties, in the face of perplexing problems, get hold of a promise from God and cling to it for all you're worth! God watches over His Word to perform it, and you will not be disappointed.
Are you a spiritual limpet? If not, start working toward becoming one today.
Preacher's Kid
Friday, December 10, 2010
BE OF GOOD CHEER
Remember the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 as told in Mark 6? While He sent the multitudes away, He had the disciples get into a ship and go to the other side of the lake, and then He went up into the mountain by Himself to pray. Read the story for yourself starting with verse 45 through verse 51. It's too long to quote here.
Notice that when the disciples got their ship in the middle of the sea, the wind sprang up and they had to really work to keep the boat from capsizing as it continued its journey through the rough waters. Verse 48 tells us that Christ saw how hard His men were toiling in the rough waters and went to them walking on the water. Little did those poor, frustrated disciples know that their Master had His eyes on them all the time, observing their sad plight and their heroic efforts in the midst of the storm. The assumed He was off by Himself somewhere not paying the least bit of attention to them.
But right in the midst of the storm their Master came walking on the water to them. What did Christ have to say to them in verse 50? Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And we know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, how the wind ceased and the waters became calm.
Hebrews 13:8 assures us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just as His eye was on His disciples toiling in the storm in the middle of the sea, so His eye is upon you and me today as we, too, are toiling in the midst of the storms and hard places of life. And if we'll let Him, He'll come to us with the same message He gave His disciples: Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
What a marvelous and powerful God we serve. How great are His mercies: how tender His compassion. The next time you're in the midst of a storm, stop your useless toil. Quiet yourself in His presence as you let Him whisper ever so gently, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
Preacher's Kid
Notice that when the disciples got their ship in the middle of the sea, the wind sprang up and they had to really work to keep the boat from capsizing as it continued its journey through the rough waters. Verse 48 tells us that Christ saw how hard His men were toiling in the rough waters and went to them walking on the water. Little did those poor, frustrated disciples know that their Master had His eyes on them all the time, observing their sad plight and their heroic efforts in the midst of the storm. The assumed He was off by Himself somewhere not paying the least bit of attention to them.
But right in the midst of the storm their Master came walking on the water to them. What did Christ have to say to them in verse 50? Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And we know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, how the wind ceased and the waters became calm.
Hebrews 13:8 assures us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just as His eye was on His disciples toiling in the storm in the middle of the sea, so His eye is upon you and me today as we, too, are toiling in the midst of the storms and hard places of life. And if we'll let Him, He'll come to us with the same message He gave His disciples: Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
What a marvelous and powerful God we serve. How great are His mercies: how tender His compassion. The next time you're in the midst of a storm, stop your useless toil. Quiet yourself in His presence as you let Him whisper ever so gently, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
Preacher's Kid
Thursday, December 9, 2010
CHRISTMAS PEACE
Christmas is a time of peace. At least it should be. Isn't that the message the angels brought to shepherds keeping watch o'er their flocks by night when the Christ Child was born?
Philippians 4:7 speaks about the peace that passes understanding. I like the Living Bible paraphrase, but we'll have to start with verse 6 as verse 7 is dependent upon the preceding verse. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
How we need such a message during the Christmas season. We sometimes wonder how we can find peace during this busy time. We have to do the decorating, get the Christmas cards mailed, buy and wrap presents to say nothing of extra cooking and baking in preparation for parties and celebrations with friends and family. Then there are the extra church activities to work in somehow. Peace? What peace? We don't have time for peace.
Instead of experiencing the peace that passes understanding, we find that often our peace simply passes! It just passes away with circumstances! How sad that so many Christians have the peace that passes!
Hey, how about you? What kind of peace do YOU have? The peace far more wonderful than the human mind can understand or the peace that simply passes? The peace that keeps your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Jesus or the peace that simply passes?
Don't let the hustle and bustle of Christmas rob you of God's peace.
Preacher's Kid
Philippians 4:7 speaks about the peace that passes understanding. I like the Living Bible paraphrase, but we'll have to start with verse 6 as verse 7 is dependent upon the preceding verse. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
How we need such a message during the Christmas season. We sometimes wonder how we can find peace during this busy time. We have to do the decorating, get the Christmas cards mailed, buy and wrap presents to say nothing of extra cooking and baking in preparation for parties and celebrations with friends and family. Then there are the extra church activities to work in somehow. Peace? What peace? We don't have time for peace.
Instead of experiencing the peace that passes understanding, we find that often our peace simply passes! It just passes away with circumstances! How sad that so many Christians have the peace that passes!
Hey, how about you? What kind of peace do YOU have? The peace far more wonderful than the human mind can understand or the peace that simply passes? The peace that keeps your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Jesus or the peace that simply passes?
Don't let the hustle and bustle of Christmas rob you of God's peace.
Preacher's Kid
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?
Due to an avalanche of unfavorable publicity concerning various televangelists I once had confidence in, I found myself in a sad, sad state of depression recently! I was so upset that I threw out more than 15 videos of their teaching and ministries. I snapped out of the depression, however, when I decided that I would keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, and Jesus only as admonished in Hebrews 12:2: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Do you remember the story of the Children of Israel when they left Egypt headed for the Promised Land after the ten plagues when the last plague caused the oldest child in each family to die? They came up to the Red Sea and wondered how they ever could cross it and then discovered that the Egyptians were pursuing them from behind. Now, I ask you, which direction would you have looked had you been in that group? Forwards of backwards? The Red Sea's in front of you, and the enemy is behind you! What a dilemma! Thank God, He told Moses -- in so many words, that is -- "Go forth. I will take care of the enemy!
So it is today. We can put our troubles, our problems, our worries, yes, even our depression behind us and let the Lord take care of each situation no matter what is involved!
Which direction are you looking -- forwards or backwards? Your only safety is to keep your eyes upon Jesus. He's the only One Who will never fail you!
Preacher's Kid
Do you remember the story of the Children of Israel when they left Egypt headed for the Promised Land after the ten plagues when the last plague caused the oldest child in each family to die? They came up to the Red Sea and wondered how they ever could cross it and then discovered that the Egyptians were pursuing them from behind. Now, I ask you, which direction would you have looked had you been in that group? Forwards of backwards? The Red Sea's in front of you, and the enemy is behind you! What a dilemma! Thank God, He told Moses -- in so many words, that is -- "Go forth. I will take care of the enemy!
So it is today. We can put our troubles, our problems, our worries, yes, even our depression behind us and let the Lord take care of each situation no matter what is involved!
Which direction are you looking -- forwards or backwards? Your only safety is to keep your eyes upon Jesus. He's the only One Who will never fail you!
Preacher's Kid
Sunday, December 5, 2010
TRIPLE A FORMULA
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7
When I was single, I couldn't live with out it -- Triple A, that is. I lost track of the number of flat tires they changed for me, and the times they jumped my dead battery. (I have a husband to handle those taks, now, thank the good Lord!) Then there was the time my brakes failed. And the time I rode into town with the front end of my car dangling precariously (or so I thought) from the rear of the tow truck. Yep, as a single gal, AAA was my security blanket when it came to travel!
But you know, as a Christian I have a fantastic Triple A formula to carry me through the rough roads of life. It doesn't cost any $36 per year, either. (I'm sure Triple A is much more than $36 a year nowadays!) While I don't have to dip into my billfold to activate this formula, there is a triple process for which I am responsible.
According to the above Scripture, those three things are:
(1) abide in Christ,
(2) let His words abide in me,
and then I can
(3) ask in confidence and assurance knowing that God will
do His part in answering.
No, I couldn't get along without Triple A -- earthly or spiritual.
How about you? Why not spend some extra time this busy season of the year in abiding in Christ through prayer? Then let His words abide in you through reading and meditating upon the Word of God.
Preacher's Kid
When I was single, I couldn't live with out it -- Triple A, that is. I lost track of the number of flat tires they changed for me, and the times they jumped my dead battery. (I have a husband to handle those taks, now, thank the good Lord!) Then there was the time my brakes failed. And the time I rode into town with the front end of my car dangling precariously (or so I thought) from the rear of the tow truck. Yep, as a single gal, AAA was my security blanket when it came to travel!
But you know, as a Christian I have a fantastic Triple A formula to carry me through the rough roads of life. It doesn't cost any $36 per year, either. (I'm sure Triple A is much more than $36 a year nowadays!) While I don't have to dip into my billfold to activate this formula, there is a triple process for which I am responsible.
According to the above Scripture, those three things are:
(1) abide in Christ,
(2) let His words abide in me,
and then I can
(3) ask in confidence and assurance knowing that God will
do His part in answering.
No, I couldn't get along without Triple A -- earthly or spiritual.
How about you? Why not spend some extra time this busy season of the year in abiding in Christ through prayer? Then let His words abide in you through reading and meditating upon the Word of God.
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
HIGHWAY ROBBERY
Did you get that list of your heavenly inheritance made? How I would like to see it!
I was surprised to hear on the news recently that there is a gang problem here in our quiet little burg, tucked away among majestic mountains, and not too far from from the boundless ocean! Seems there have even been some drive-by shootings recently which I hadn't heard about. Makes me wonder how safe even our little gated community of motor homes is. Gang activities -- there're the stuff big cities are built of. At least that's what I always thought. Guess I'm more naive than I realized!
But what about our heavenly inheritance we blogged about yesterday. Is there any danger of highway robbery as we continue our journey through life? You betcha! John 10:10a says: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
We have a thief on the loose -- a thief in wolf's clothing! His name is "Lack of Time," and when it comes to spiritual issues, he's extremely sly and crafty, and slips up on us unawares. "Lack of Time" robs us of our spiritual inheritance. He'll find all kinds of crafty ways to rob us of our daily quiet times with the Lord. He'll come up with all kinds of excuses to steal our prayer life and our Bible reading time. Then as we give in to him on these seemingly small things, he'll get bolder and steal our opportunity to enjoy public worship and fellowship with all kinds of reasons for not attending the Lord's house on Sundays.
So be forewarned. Don't give in for a minute to the highway robbery this thief perpetrates. Hold on to your heavenly inheritance for all you're worth. Take no chances of losing it.
Don't let yourself become a victim of Satan's highway robbery!
Preacher's Kid
I was surprised to hear on the news recently that there is a gang problem here in our quiet little burg, tucked away among majestic mountains, and not too far from from the boundless ocean! Seems there have even been some drive-by shootings recently which I hadn't heard about. Makes me wonder how safe even our little gated community of motor homes is. Gang activities -- there're the stuff big cities are built of. At least that's what I always thought. Guess I'm more naive than I realized!
But what about our heavenly inheritance we blogged about yesterday. Is there any danger of highway robbery as we continue our journey through life? You betcha! John 10:10a says: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
We have a thief on the loose -- a thief in wolf's clothing! His name is "Lack of Time," and when it comes to spiritual issues, he's extremely sly and crafty, and slips up on us unawares. "Lack of Time" robs us of our spiritual inheritance. He'll find all kinds of crafty ways to rob us of our daily quiet times with the Lord. He'll come up with all kinds of excuses to steal our prayer life and our Bible reading time. Then as we give in to him on these seemingly small things, he'll get bolder and steal our opportunity to enjoy public worship and fellowship with all kinds of reasons for not attending the Lord's house on Sundays.
So be forewarned. Don't give in for a minute to the highway robbery this thief perpetrates. Hold on to your heavenly inheritance for all you're worth. Take no chances of losing it.
Don't let yourself become a victim of Satan's highway robbery!
Preacher's Kid
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
