A Squandered Blessing Rediscovered

Two weeks ago my daughter visited me for mothers day and while she was here she made a remark that stuck with me.  She mentioned the birds and how much she enjoyed listening to them. She shared that she doesn’t have the opportunity to hear them often where she lives because there is too much concrete and not enough trees. Lifting her windows usually lets in the dominating sounds of cars, planes, and trucks so the sound of birds was refreshing for her. When she said this, I realized how much I take the birds and their songs for granted.

I am fortunate enough to live in a community that has many trees, filled with many birds and I realized through her statement that I was squandering my blessing.

Goats and Treasure?

In January of 1947 a handful of goats had climbed too high and had become dangerously positioned on the mountains cliffs. Their shepherd, concerned for their safety, ascended the face of the cliff to save them from peril. While on his climb he discovered two small cave openings. Curious, he threw a stone inside and was surprised as he heard a cracking sound. His thoughts, “What could possibly be in such a remote cave?”  And in his reasoning he came to one conclusion, “Treasure!”

Glory In the Stars

Last night was the first evening of this year that I have been able to enjoy star gazing.

Being that I live near two major cities, their radiant light usually interferes with the clarity of my star gazing view. However, last night was different.  For some reason the night sky was pristine and the stars were vivid, pronounced and a joy to view.

Crescent moon to my right, the constellation of Orion directly above, and a splattering of stars blanketed the sky. My attention was captured and I stood in awe.

I took my time studying the lights that flickered above.  They were familiar to these pair of eyes, but my desire to linger and look – really look – was not.  So I took it in and what I discovered is that the longer I looked the more I saw. And the more I saw birthed a prevalent thought that probed my mind. 

Turn Your Eyes

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Sometimes we need to be reminded when things or people turn our eyes towards problems instead of the keeping them on the problem solver, that there is someone who can re-ground us – bring us back to center.

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!

In the years that I’ve worked in ministry, I’ve often had my focus drift toward “friction,” causing me to lose sight of the purpose in which I serve. Strife has caused me to focus on earthly things far longer then it should, and if not careful I can begin to get swallowed up by it

Handle With Care

Recently I was enjoying a dinner out with my son and a close friend.  While we sat waiting for our meal to arrive, I had asked my friend how his week had gone.  His reply included work, family and a story about some kids in AWANA, a program that he is involved in at our church.

“AWANA,” came the voice to my right, “So the church is still doing that?”

My friend responded with the positive shake of his head.  The voice to my right, huffed, and then shook his head in a negative fashion and looked instantly away and out the window.

Needless to say, this unexpected reaction from my son caused me to draw him back into the conversation and asked why the bitter response.  He was not shy to enlighten me.

The Aroma of Brokenness

While getting ready for work a small (really small) calamity occurred.  No, it didn’t cause me to become frantic, or shed tears, but it did cause me to react  - to attempt to stop what was happening from continuing.

Come find out what a little can of mousse and a broken nozzle taught me.

What A Friend

Joseph M Scriven

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!

Reading the opening lines to the hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus, one can not help but believe that the author was acquainted with prayer.  It would also be safe to say that a person who has an active prayer life is also one who has a deep and faithful relationship with God.

Words such as – spiritual communion, supplication/petition, intercession, thanksgiving, confession, praise and adoration, describe the act of prayer.  And though there are some that would like to place confines or restrictions on prayer, such as subject boundaries, performing rituals, and posturing, there are none. Prayer is communication between a believer and God.  It is an easy thing to do. If you can think, then you can pray.

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer!