Friday, December 31, 1999
It is finished! The millennium is over and a new day is moving across America. As when Jesus died on the cross and cried it is finished, a new day, a better day was ushered in.
So it is with us. A new millennium gives opportunity to draw a line in the sand of time and make a commitment to live the rest of your life for Christ. No one can draw that line for you but, with God’s help, you can make the changes in your life that you know are necessary to walk closer to the Lord. It is my prayer that in 2000 you will be able because I know that God is able.
Happy New Year!
-Lyn Sahr
Thursday, December 30, 1999
The world is never narrower than viewed by someone with their eyes closed to pain, suffering, hunger, disease, injustice and societal spiritual decay.
Wednesday, December 29, 1999
Until a person recognizes their need for God, they will try to fill the void in their life with everything under the sun. But perhaps there is one thing… no two things that are more common than any, greed and selfishness. It takes a long time, and sometimes never, for people to recognize that greed and selfishness are mere conditions of trying to fill the void in ones own life for their need for God. Get rid of greed and selfishness and “fill-up” on God!
Tuesday, December 28, 1999
Too many marriages communicate with a language called “assumption.” Too bad the language of love is so quickly forgotten.
Monday, December 27, 1999
A new millennium creates questions and God created the answers.
Sunday, December 26, 1999
It’s not whether your name is found in a book of history that counts but rather whether your name is found in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Saturday, December 25, 1999
This is our 3rd ChurchMouse Chronicles Christmas! Praise God!
I received this greeting tonight from Rick Schwagel, former pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Eau Claire. It is a wonderful Christmas thought.
“What a wonderful little baby boy Mary once cuddled and cared for–what a privileged parent!
On this holiday season…
Blessed be the LORD God Almighty and His SON our Savior Jesus Christ!!!!
Friday, December 24, 1999
A CHRISTMAS STORY
by Rian B. Anderson
Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.
It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn’t been enough money to buy me the rifle that I’d wanted so bad that year for Christmas.
We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn’t in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn’t get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn’t figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn’t worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.
Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. “Come on, Matt,” he said. “Bundle up good, it’s cold out tonight.” I was really upset then. Not only wasn’t I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly
reason that I could see. We’d already done all the chores, and I couldn’t think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one’s feet when he’d told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn’t know what.
Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn’t going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa
was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn’t happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. “I think we’ll put on the high sideboards,” he said. “Here, help me.
The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on. When we had exchanged the sideboards Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of
wood—the wood I’d spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. “Pa,” I asked, “what are you doing?”
You been by the Widow Jensen’s lately?” he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I’d been by, but so what? “Yeah,” I said, “why?” “I rode by just today,” Pa said “Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They’re out of wood, Matt.” That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him.
We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. “What’s in the little sack?” I asked. “Shoes. They’re out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning.
I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a little candy.” We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen’s pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn’t have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn’t have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he
doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn’t have been our concern.
We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The
door opened a crack and a timid voice said, “Who is it?”
“Lucas Miles, Ma’am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?” Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. “We brought you a few things, Ma’am,” Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children—sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks.
She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn’t come out. “We bought a load of wood too, Ma’am,” Pa said, then he turned to me and said, “Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let’s get that fire up to size and heat this place up.” I wasn’t the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn’t speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I’d never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.
I soon had the fire blazing and everyone’s spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn’t crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. “God bless you,” she said. “I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to us.” In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I’d never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen
mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on
the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen’s face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn’t want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.
At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, “The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We’ll be by over to get you about eleven. It’ll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn’t been little for quite a spell.” I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away.
Widow Jensen nodded and said, “Thank you, Brother Miles. I don’t have to say, “‘May the Lord bless you,’ I know for certain that He will.” Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn’t even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said,
Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn’t have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I
started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand.”
I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen’s face and the radiant smiles of her three
children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.
Happy Holidays!
-contributed by Shari Lawson
Thursday, December 24, 1999
This is the “Thought For The Season” that I ended our family Christmas letter with this year.
In the stars I see His work.
The heavens are vast beyond comprehension.
The oceans roar and the earth is moved.
The mountains proclaim His majesty.
Then, how big is God?
Big enough to rule this mighty universe…
Yet small enough to live within the hearts of those who believe.
The season is incomplete without the Reason!
Wednesday, December 22, 1999
Only sinful people need Jesus. The problem is that everyone is sinful. The solution is found in the Christmas story. The question is will the Christmas story be found in you?
Tuesday, December 21, 1999
“Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.”
Elisabeth Elliot in “Keep a Quiet Heart”
-contributed by Keith Jeske
Monday, December 20, 1999
Christmas is difficult for people who are not able to give gifts. But Christmas is impossible for those people who are unable to receive gifts.
Sunday, December 19, 1999
Christmas isn’t about the one who came down the chimney but rather about the one who came down from heaven!
Saturday, December 18, 1999
Even though the economy is good and the unemployment rate is at an all-time low, many churches are still short of their budgets as the year draws to a close. Some church leaders find this hard to understand. I think not. It is a basic, fundamental theological problem that is not new to the church. A lot of people have found room for Christ in their hearts but not their pocketbook.
Friday, December 17, 1999
When you kneel in prayer for everything, you can stand up to anything.
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Thursday, December 16, 1999
Dear Jesus,
I have tried to be good this year so that I could have the only gift that I want and a gift that only you can give. Please help my mommy and daddy to love each other….
Wednesday, December 15, 1999
Written by a 12 year old in Boston:
Now I lay me down in school
Where praying is against the rule.
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites
It violates the Bill of Rights.
Anytime my head I bow
Becomes a federal matter now.
The law is specific; the law is precise.
Praying out loud is no longer nice.
Praying aloud in a public hall
Upsets those who believe in nothing at all.
In silence alone we can meditate
And if God should get the credit–great!
They are bringing their guns,
I don’t dare bring my Bible,
To do so might make me liable.
So, now Oh Lord, this plea I make;
Should I be shot in school,
My soul please take.
-contributed by Ed Andrist
Tuesday, December 14, 1999
If you never fail to love, you never fail, because . . . love never fails.
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Monday, December 13, 1999
The church was called to draw on God, not people. When the church draws on God it is able to fill it’s leadership positions with called people, its Sunday School teachers want to teach and worship becomes contagious. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…..
Sunday, December 12, 1999
When it comes to selling real estate, the experts say the three most important things are location, location, location!
So it is in our spiritual life. Move close to God and you’ve got the right location.
Saturday, December 11, 1999
Last night one of our daughters had car trouble and she was stranded at a service station for two hours. She called and left a couple of messages with her location but was not quite specific enough for me to figure out where she was. Finally we were able to communicate correctly and I went to rescue her.
Sometimes I wonder if we don’t have a similar problem with our prayer life. We go to God in prayer but when it comes to explaining our needs we can become very vague. Not that God doesn’t already know what’s going on with us, but I believe He prefers to hear from us in as specifically as possible. Why? For our benefit, not His!
Knowing where we are and who we are in life helps us to understand God’s answers to our prayers. Remember, God always answers prayers. But sometimes the answer is no, yes or not now! It is important for us to accept His answers in light of who are and where we are at in our spiritual life.
Friday, December 10, 1999
The Top 10 Things You Won’t Have to Worry About With The Y2K Bug.
10. The Bible will still have the answers.
9. Prayer will still work.
8. The Holy Spirit will still move.
7. God will still inhabit praise.
6. There will still be anointed preaching.
5. There will still be the singing of praise.
4. God will still pour out blessings on His people.
3. There will be room at the cross for His children.
2. Jesus loves you.
And the number one thing you won’t have to worry about with the Y2K bug:
1. Jesus still saves.
People WILL become Y2K compliant! They will turn to Jesus and say:
“Y(es) 2 the K(ing!)”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved”. Romans 10:9 KJV
-contributed by Shari Lawson
Thursday, December 9, 1999
At a meeting I attended today, a man who was blinded in an accident was the guest speaker.
He said; “I can see, I’m just blind!”
I thought how sad it was… that so many people who aren’t blind still can’t see!
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
Poor Joseph. He was trying to be the right kind of Jewish husband to be when
he discovered that Mary, his bride to be, was going to have a baby. What could he do but call off the marriage? Surely this was the only way to avoid the ridicule they might both receive.
Then came a new twist in the story. As Joseph was contemplating his next move, an angel appeared to him and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Things weren’t, as they seemed. Neither he nor Mary had anything to be ashamed of because they had done nothing wrong. The Holy Spirit had conceived the baby she carried. She would bear the Messiah, and there was nothing to hide.
Besides the truth of the word that we see here, we can also learn a lesson from the experience of Joseph and Mary. If you have done nothing wrong, rely upon the Lord instead of yourself to get things straightened out when all seems to be going wrong. We have direct access to the throne of grace, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. — Talk it over with the Lord!
-contributed by Marv Nelson
Tuesday, December 7, 1999
As I looked out of the patio doors in the new addition this morning, the glass was all frosted over and the view of the bay was barely visible. There is no heat in the addition yet. But when it is warm inside, the windows will clear and I will be able to once again see the full beauty of the “Seekers Bay.”
So it is with people. When their hearts get cold their vision of the world around them frosts up and loses its full beauty. That is why it is so important that we guard our attitudes and maintain a right relationship with Christ. When we do we are able to see God more clearly and the gift of His creation… life!
Monday, December 6, 1999
This past evening the sky was as clear as I have ever seen it. The stars were like a gigantic fireworks display that never fell from the sky. The significance of this is not the beauty of the stars but the majesty of the creator.
Sunday, December 5, 1999
We never know from day to day whether death is years or breaths away.
Saturday, December 4, 1999
Truth cannot be found in lies… nor can love… or hope… or faith…
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life…”
The road to eternal life is not paved with lies or deception but truth.
Friday, December 3, 1999
If I knew it would be the last time
that I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute or two
to stop and say “I love you,”
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
well I’m sure you’ll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there’s always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything right.
There will always be another day
to say our “I love you’s”,
And certainly there’s another chance
to say our “Anything I can do’s?”
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget,
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll surely regret the day,
That you didn’t take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
and that you’ll always hold them dear
Take time to say “I’m sorry,” “Please forgive me,”
“thank you,” or “its okay”.
And if tomorrow never comes,
you’ll have no regrets about today.
-contributed by Ed Andrist
Thursday, December 2, 1999
ONE GUY DIDN’T
Three guys were tried for crimes against humanity.
Two guys committed crimes.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys were given government trials.
Two guys had fair trials.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys were whipped and beaten.
Two guys had it coming.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys were given crosses to carry.
Two guys earned their crosses.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys were mocked and spit at along the way.
Two guys cursed and spit back.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys were nailed to crosses.
Two guys deserved it.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys agonized over their abandonment.
Two guys had reason to be abandoned.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys talked while hanging on their crosses.
Two guys argued.
One guy didn’t.
Three guys knew death was coming.
Two guys resisted.
One guy didn’t.
One.
Two.
Three guys died on three crosses.
Three days later.
Two guys remained in their graves.
One guy didn’t.
-Unknown
-contributed by Keith Jeske
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
The kingdom of God is not without a King, government or rules. Too often, the church today resembles the “kingdom of self” where people are their own king and the government is self-rule based upon selfishness. Mmmmm, sounds a little new age, doesn’t it?
Seems like in these days of high employment there are still record numbers of people applying for the position of God!
