When our son was eight, he became excited because he was going to become an uncle. Then one day when he came home from school he was met with the casual greeting, “Hi, Uncle David.” Talk about excited!
Later when we all had our first look at the new arrival, no one thought to tell David it is normal for a new baby to look red and wrinkled, and tiny babies cry often. After David had watched the baby for a while and had listened to his howls, he turned to us with a mischievous grin and asked, “You mean I’m an uncle to that?”
Everyone loves a baby, but no one would want a baby to fail to grow and mature. The Bible compares new Christians to newborn babies, but it also says that the new Christians are to grow and develop through Bible study.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. I Peter 2:2 (KJV)
20071129
20071128
SNOW
West Texas weather is changeable. So when we were blanketed with six inches of snow on Thanksgiving Day it was not too much of a surprise. But it was unusual. Thanksgiving in west Texas is often balmy. I remember many Thanksgivings when families had no problem with travel. And when together, the children played outside without jackets.
But Thanksgiving Day this year was the kind of day people sometimes wish for at Christmas. The landscape was cleansed by a brilliant white.
The Bible speaks of the darkness of sin. But this is changed when Jesus provides cleansing. Pray with the Psalmist, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (KJV)
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
But Thanksgiving Day this year was the kind of day people sometimes wish for at Christmas. The landscape was cleansed by a brilliant white.
The Bible speaks of the darkness of sin. But this is changed when Jesus provides cleansing. Pray with the Psalmist, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (KJV)
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
20071127
WHAT’S IN A NAME
People in New Mexico tell funny stories of people in other states who don’t realize New Mexico is one of our fifty states. One Santa Fe resident was denied the use of his credit card in another state because the establishment didn’t accept cards of foreigners.
A traveler boarding a plane to return home to Albuquerque was told he must show his passport. Most likely the confusion arises because of name association with the country of Mexico.
We are called Christians. Are people ever confused by our name? Disciples in Antioch were the first to be called Christians because of the lives they lived. (Acts. 11:26) What do people call us? We must live the name through our love and our actions.
A Good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 (KJV)
A traveler boarding a plane to return home to Albuquerque was told he must show his passport. Most likely the confusion arises because of name association with the country of Mexico.
We are called Christians. Are people ever confused by our name? Disciples in Antioch were the first to be called Christians because of the lives they lived. (Acts. 11:26) What do people call us? We must live the name through our love and our actions.
A Good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 (KJV)
20071126
A PIT SO DEEP
A few nights ago Marion and I watched the movie, “The Hiding Place.” This is the true story of Corrie Ten Boom, who lived in Holland with her family during the Second World War. As Jews were being deported to concentration camps, Corrie and her family hid a large number of them in their home.
The Ten Booms were found out and suffered much for their actions, even being deported themselves. Corrie and her sister, Betsie, ended up in the same women’s camp and, even through great hardships, became encouragers for others.
As the movie ends, the real Corrie Ten Boom quotes her sister’s words, “There is no pit so deep that the love of Jesus Christ is not deeper still.” This is the movie’s message: God does not forsake us in any situation. In fact, he has plans for us to share His love with others whatever the circumstance.
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Psalm 130:1. I waited patiently for the LORD, and He . . . heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (KJV)
(
The Ten Booms were found out and suffered much for their actions, even being deported themselves. Corrie and her sister, Betsie, ended up in the same women’s camp and, even through great hardships, became encouragers for others.
As the movie ends, the real Corrie Ten Boom quotes her sister’s words, “There is no pit so deep that the love of Jesus Christ is not deeper still.” This is the movie’s message: God does not forsake us in any situation. In fact, he has plans for us to share His love with others whatever the circumstance.
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Psalm 130:1. I waited patiently for the LORD, and He . . . heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (KJV)
(
20071125
SINGING GOD'S PRAISES
Just over a week ago I stood with about thirty-five other men to sing a concert of praise to the Lord. The Singing Men of West Texas is a choir composed of ministers of music in churches from throughout a large area of west Texas.
People who attended the concert told me later they enjoyed the music; but there’s no way they could have enjoyed it more than we, the singers, did. You see there’s something exhilarating about being a participant in a concerted effort to praise the Lord.
We all have that same privilege from week to week as we come together for worship. When you worship, join in and sing praises to God. Be a participant in worship. For this you will be blessed.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2 (KJV)
To learn more about The Singing Men of West Texas, click here.
People who attended the concert told me later they enjoyed the music; but there’s no way they could have enjoyed it more than we, the singers, did. You see there’s something exhilarating about being a participant in a concerted effort to praise the Lord.
We all have that same privilege from week to week as we come together for worship. When you worship, join in and sing praises to God. Be a participant in worship. For this you will be blessed.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2 (KJV)
To learn more about The Singing Men of West Texas, click here.
20071122
WATER
A barren desert lies between two splendid mountain ranges in southern New Mexico. This desolate area is the home of magnificent sunsets, colorful cacti and exotic wild life. Although it is beautiful in its own way, the one dominating factor in this environment is the absence of water.
But in the midst of this desert lies the little city of Tularosa with its green lawns, colorful shrubs and tall trees. The difference: a small river brings water from springs in the nearby mountains. This life-giving water is allowed to spill over to irrigate lush gardens and lawns, creating a veritable desert oasis.
Many of us often find ourselves facing the arid realties of life. Sometimes our spirits just seem to dry up much like a cactus plant in a New Mexico desert.
Remember, God offers his gift of thirst quenching spiritual water. Jesus said to the woman at the well, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 (KJV)
But in the midst of this desert lies the little city of Tularosa with its green lawns, colorful shrubs and tall trees. The difference: a small river brings water from springs in the nearby mountains. This life-giving water is allowed to spill over to irrigate lush gardens and lawns, creating a veritable desert oasis.
Many of us often find ourselves facing the arid realties of life. Sometimes our spirits just seem to dry up much like a cactus plant in a New Mexico desert.
Remember, God offers his gift of thirst quenching spiritual water. Jesus said to the woman at the well, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 (KJV)
20071121
A TIME TO SHARE LOVE
I remember as a child, gathering at the table on Thanksgiving day, feasting on the food Mother had cooked and hearing Daddy lead a prayer thanking God for His blessings. But try as I might, I don’t remember what food we had at those meals. What I do remember is being together with my parents and my brother and sisters. We were a family—and we loved each other.
Today, Marion and I look forward to the times we can be with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The food is always good; but best of all is the love we share as a family. It’s good being together.
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. I John 3:11 (KJV)
Today, Marion and I look forward to the times we can be with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The food is always good; but best of all is the love we share as a family. It’s good being together.
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. I John 3:11 (KJV)
20071120
CRYING STONES
Sometimes we just have to praise the Lord! That is how Jesus’ disciples felt the day He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. As He approached the city, his followers began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice. They shouted, “blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Luke 10:38 (KJV)
Of course there were those who wanted everyone to be silent. They said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples.” Jesus’ answer is classic: “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 10:40 (KJV)
We always have something to be thankful for. As the song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Don’t wait for the stones to cry out. Praise Him yourself.
(
Of course there were those who wanted everyone to be silent. They said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples.” Jesus’ answer is classic: “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 10:40 (KJV)
We always have something to be thankful for. As the song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Don’t wait for the stones to cry out. Praise Him yourself.
(
20071119
LIVING WITHOUT THANKFULNESS
The idea of being thankful makes me think of Bob, who was never thankful. Bob (not his real name) was a member of a choir I directed, and I always dreaded choir practice because of him. Introducing a new song to the choir was a challenge. As soon as we had sung through any song the first time Bob would yell, “I don’t like it!”
Bob’s whole life was negative. He was unhappy and miserable. People avoided him, so he had few friends. How much better if he could have shown gratitude and thankfulness to those around him. His life and the lives of his family and friends would have been much happier.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV)
Bob’s whole life was negative. He was unhappy and miserable. People avoided him, so he had few friends. How much better if he could have shown gratitude and thankfulness to those around him. His life and the lives of his family and friends would have been much happier.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV)
THANKFULNESS
This week all thoughts are on thanksgiving—not so much the giving of thanks as the holiday called Thanksgiving. Schools are out for the week to the delight of students and teachers, and many families are taking advantage of days off for a fall vacation.
Families are making plans to get together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. A newer tradition will place millions in front of television sets to root for a favorite football team.
In all our observations of traditions, let’s not forget the oldest Thanksgiving tradition of all. Let’s not forget to thank God for his many blessings.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. I Chronicles 16:34. (KJV)
Families are making plans to get together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. A newer tradition will place millions in front of television sets to root for a favorite football team.
In all our observations of traditions, let’s not forget the oldest Thanksgiving tradition of all. Let’s not forget to thank God for his many blessings.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. I Chronicles 16:34. (KJV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)