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  2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;          He leads me beside the still waters.  3 He restores my soul;          He leads me in the paths of righteousness           For His name’s sake. Psalm 23 I used to fly often. After just a few flights the instructions given by the flight attendant as the plane moves out to the runway are ignored.  One of the things I am told is that  if the cabin lost pressure, I should put on my mask and then put the mask on any children traveling with me. This seemed a bit strange to me at first. Shouldn’t I take care of the kids first, then put on my mask. But there is an important concept here. If we don’t make sure we are hooked up, we will be in no condition to take care of anyone. We need to be rested and connected to be of any good. The Good Shepherd knows the importance of rested sheep. He makes me lie down for the important rest I need. As Christians we need rest for at least five reasons: 1. Nourishment. We have all […]

While researching for my Mother’s Day devotional I came across the ABCs of Parenthood. I am always cautious about parenting tips. Parents are so different as are kids. We are often sensitive about our parenting, perhaps thinking deep down that it should come naturally and yet we so often don’t have a clue. So consider these thoughts: Do you know what children need? A – B – C: Acceptance, Belonging, Confidence ACCEPTANCE We all need to feel that people love and accept us for who we are. This requires that we know others and that we are known. It seems obvious that we should know our kids, but they often surprise us. Like with other people, we often make assumptions. If they aren’t doing well in school, we can assume that they aren’t applying themselves, when maybe they are reacting to a bullying situation. We can adopt a “squeaky wheel” approach thinking if they aren’t saying anything everything must be fine. Kids need to trust their parents, to know that they can tell them anything. That takes time, quality time, time when the child is the only focus, not today’s concerns or tomorrow’s plans. BELONGING I had eight brothers and sisters. My folks never […]

Mother’s Day – Today moms will be honored. Tons of cards and boatloads of flowers will be gifted to moms. Mothers will be treated to a day off from meal cooking. Well, you get the picture. Most of us are thankful for our moms and believe they deserve a special day.  But less be completely honest. None of us had perfect moms and many believe they can trace most of their problems back to mom. Maybe it’s time for a little balance and honesty on this mom issue.  First, isn’t it harder than ever to be a good mom. In 2011, more women than ever have to balance motherhood with full time jobs. More women than ever have to be both mom and dad to children. Many women have to balance a broken relationship with their children’s father with the need for those children to have a father in their lives. We need to do more than give token gratitude to mothers one day a year.The “Father Knows Best” model for motherhood doesn’t apply to most moms today.  These are tough times for mothers. They need our patience, prayers and help, in addition to our honor and gratitude. Maybe many […]

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus  “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 Do you ever find yourself saying that you are doing okay, “Under the Circumstances?” I know I’ve said it; but it really is a terrible thing to hear from a Christian. Adrian Rogers used to say, “Circumstances are like a mattress. You’re supposed to be on it, not under it.” Sadly we do let circumstances get over us.  Under the circumstances, you suffocate; on them you rest pretty well. The problem with circumstances is that they are so “in your face.” They surround and cover us. They make it appear as if they are the only reality. But they are not. In fact, our circumstances are not reality at all. As Christians, Jesus is our reality and we need to connect with Him. The proper response to circumstances is to Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. If you find yourself “under the circumstances” today. Click here. It’s a link to a nice version of the hymn. Spend a few moments contemplating the only reality that matters. It’s Jesus over circumstances. It’s not a question of the greatness of our faith, but the greatness […]

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours :3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 What does it mean to be a saint? Most would say a saint is one who has led such an exemplary life that he or she is venerated by the church, but God’s Word presents quite a different picture. The Corinthian church was made up of Christians who struggled with all sorts of ungodly behaviors, yet Paul calls them “saints by calling.” This was not due to their behavior, which was often “unsaintly, but because they “have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling” (1 Cor. 1:2). To be sanctified is to be set apart to a sacred use. God has sanctified days (such as the Sabbath), places (the tabernacle), things (Ark of the Covenant), and people. A saint is simply a person whom God has set apart for His purposes. That means every believer is a saint. We are born enemies of God.  (Rom. 5:10). As a Christian, you were born again and are now His child. He forgave […]

There has been much talk lately about our enemies. That got me thinking about whether we are our own worst enemies. I googled “own worst enemy” and came up with a television series which aired for only 9 episodes in 2008 and a Bruce Springsteen song. Frankly, I didn’t get much inspiration from either.I even found an article asking “Are you your own worst enemy” which listed seven “bombs” with which we blow ourselves up. I did find these helpful:1. Procrastination  I know this is one example of how I’m my own worst enemy. I don’t get things done unless I face a deadline. I’ve kind of learned that the secret here is to establish deadlines for yourself in those matters which have no external deadlines. That seems to help. Look around at the unfinished projects in your life. For each, either set a deadline for finishing or scrap them. Don’t put this off that would be procrastinating procrastination. 2. Loose fact-itis I guess we have all been guilty of this one. It usually happens when we a struggling to make a point and we “come up with” a fact to support our position, which we know, deep inside, isn’t […]

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 I have had a nagging knee problem for several weeks now and I haven’t been as quick as I normally am. (I had trouble saying that with a straight face.)  I don’t, for example, “run into” the grocery store. Instead I plan my shopping to minimize walking. The knee gets better each day, but still I find that resting it is a good thing. We are running a spiritual race and it’s a good thing not to be hampered by nagging injuries or by carrying excess weights. You know what I mean, those things that are “lawful” but really don’t help us move any faster. We are all attracted to things which, although in themselves are fine, tend to take away our time and focus from the things we need to be concentrating on. Perhaps a tv show for which we never miss an episode or a “good book” which soaks up our time and attention, these things hinder us in the race. What about petty jealousies […]

I first learned of the death of Osama bin Laden from Saints running back, Reggie Bush. That’s the nature of modern communication. I was reviewing twitter and saw a posting from Bush, “Osama dead?” I saw a confirming tweet from Fox News and turned on the television. Once the news was confirmed, I felt a need to high five someone.  Euphoria quickly spread through the country. I guess this is appropriate. An enemy combatant of our country was dead, the head of a movement who had launched the war on terror. I guess if we were to see the dead body of this terrorist, an old man before his time, we would have to ask what all the furor was about. Even the jubilant crowds gathering outside the White House and in Times Square had a kind of a “it’s about time” ring to them. Is justice delayed, justice denied?  Some question the joy at a death, any death. But I have to say that seeking and achieving the death of an enemy combatant is appropriate in time of war. No matter that he has probably already been replaced by someone stronger, younger and more evil. I was a bit […]