Friday, April 30, 1999
Every so often there is a new battle that rises up in our public schools. It appears that the battle is between two lines of thinking, conservatives and liberal. Often there is reference of getting back to the basics in education. However, we will never be able to “get back to the basics” in the public schools until we “get back to the basics” in our homes!
What are the basics in our homes? How about:
Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His site.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Thursday, April 29, 1999
Tonight I stood by the deathbed of a dear saint, her family patiently waiting for her to be gloriously ushered into eternity. Death has not come easy as cancer has slowly taken her life.
As I observed how she had weakened and suffered, I thought of Lazarus. Jesus wept upon the news of the death of His friend. The obvious would be to think of how sad Jesus was that Lazarus had died. But I think Jesus wept because He had to bring Lazarus back from a glorious eternity not only to live here again but also… to suffer death a second time.
Death does not always come easy! But it does come as it is so appointed by God. Death is not a journey but, for the believer, it is a short sweet step from earthly life unto eternal life.
P.S. She went to be with the Lord at 12:30 A.M. CDT.
Wednesday, April 28, 1999
The magnitude of God is not measured by a microscope or a telescope. It does not fall under the scrutiny of a rating system or uniformity of standard weights and measures. And yet, a small child seems to have no problem seeing how big God is. Then why is it that we as adults make God so small?
Tuesday, April 27, 1999
He sat in his cell. Of course, he had nowhere to go. His face was ashen white. His eyes had no glitter, only fear showed through.
Mike was the son of wonderful Christian woman who had been a member of the church for many years. Mike had attended Sunday School and Youth Group his entire life. Mike was bent toward trouble, going from one scrape with the law to another until he found himself doing time.
When I visited Mike in jail he gave me a poem and asked if I could put it to music. I struggled to find a melody to match the words. Finally I pulled it together, added a chorus and sang it for him. I also sang it to the youth group and at a district conference. It is a very touching song. Every time I think of it, I wonder if there isn’t something we can do to change the course that so many young people are set on. Today I think of all the Mikes in the world, struggling to be something they can’t be instead of relaxing and being who God would have them be. This is a portion of Mikes poem.
Here I sit in my prison cell,
Doing time for things that I did well.
I used to be in a deep, dark hole,
But now, I’ve given God my soul.
Chorus
I’m here in this prison, so I can be set free.
I’m here in this prison, to be what I should be.
I’m here in this prison so I can live eternally.
I’m here in this prison, His child to be.
Unfortunately, many people are in one type of prison or another. Their cells may be wealth, power, fame, jealousy or a number of other things that imprison. Someplace in the loneliest of prisons there is a light that shines in darkness. His name is Jesus! He holds the keys and wants to set you free!
Monday, April 26, 1999
Approximately 232,000 people will leave the earth today headed for eternity. Some will have time to make peace with God. Others will leave in the twinkling of an eye, their fate forever sealed by their belief in God or the lack of it. So perhaps the question of former President Jimmy Carter, “If I were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me,” is especially fitting in this day when evangelism is such a dirge.
The question is, “If the souls of our loved ones, friends and neighbors are not valuable enough for us to share the gospel with, what is that evidence of or the lack of evidence thereof?”
This week, commit yourself to sharing the gospel with someone close to you. They will be eternally grateful!
Sunday, April 25, 1999
I’ve been having this problem with my car. It has a power shortage when it is cold. Christians are the same way. Warm up to the things of God for the power you need for living!
Saturday, April 24, 1999
For all you scientists out there and for all the students who have a hard time believing the truth of the Bible…here’s something that shows God awesome creation and shows that He is still in control.
Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called “myth” in the Bible is true? Mr.Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore Maryland and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development.
“I think one of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking the position of the sun, moon, and planets out in space where they would be 100 years and 1000 years from now. We have to know this so we won’t send a satellite, up and have it bump into something later on in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite, and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down. They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong either with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out and they said “what’s wrong?” Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair. There was no answer.
Finally, a Christian man on the team said, “You know, one time I was in Sunday School and they talked about the sun standing still.” While they didn’t believe him, they didn’t have an answer either, so they said, “Show us”. He got a Bible and went back to the book of Joshua where they found pretty ridiculous statement for any one with “common sense.” There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, “Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.”Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy and if darkness fell they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still!
That’s right-“The sun stood still and the moon stayed—and hasted not to go down about a whole day!” (Joshua 10:12-13)
The astronauts and scientists said, “There is the missing day!” They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua’s day was 23 hours and 20 minutes-not a whole day. They read the Bible and there it was “about (approximately) a day”
These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes you’ll still be in trouble 1,000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits.
As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story:
Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said “Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?” Hezekiah said “It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees..” Isaiah spoke to the Lord and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD!
Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe!”
Isn’t it amazing?
References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13
2 Kings 20:9-11
-contributed by Bruce Nelson
Friday, April 23, 1999
When senseless tragedy strikes, as in Littleton, Colorado this week one can only ask, “why… not?” Should we really expect less? The God of creation has been pushed out of our public schools and government. We have replaced Him with secular humanism. This is a tragedy within itself and we should not be surprised at the violence. (Read Romans 1:18-32, emphasis 28-31)
When we teach young people that personal gratification is a higher calling, we shouldn’t expect less. This is the second generation of the “Me” children who has been taught that he or she should live and do exactly as they feel like it without regard for others.
And we have the moral failure of our role models. Although we recently point toward elected officials, there are plenty of tarnished examples in all walks of life including the professional world and clergy.
And then, as a nation, we divert our attention away from ourselves to avoid introspective thinking. Becoming the world’s police force surely makes us feel like we are a righteous society.
How much must our nation bleed and our hearts be broken before we recognize the reality that, “A nation without Christ is a nation without life!” And, as it should be, judgement starts with the church.
Two years ago I attended over 40 different churches during their morning worship services. Of those 40 different pastors that I heard speak, I heard two excellent sermons. I heard four or five good sermons and the rest received poor grades based upon on the fact that they had obviously not put enough work into their sermons. In other words, they were not prepared. And in all the sermons, there was hardly a word spoke that moved the hearts of the people. Unless we start putting some “convicting teeth” back into the pulpits of our churches our congregations will continue to be “gummed to death!”
A little less time on Y2K and a lot more time on WWJD is in order.
Thursday, April 22, 1999
I used to believe that the number one problem Christians had was guilt for past sins or failures. Even though God could forgive them, it seemed that believers have a difficult time forgiving themselves.
I now believe there is even a bigger problem that is sweeping the body of Christ. Loneliness is so prevalent in our churches today. Because of the lack of fellowship, which is brought on by our over burdened schedules, people are feeling forgotten by the church. Therefore, there is even a greater tendency to feel forgotten by God.
It takes a very mature Christian to sense God’s presence when they are starved for attention from the church. In time, everyone succumbs. Therefore, it is imperative that each of us be an “Ambassador for Christ” to the lonely. We should never forget whom Jesus died for. Jesus will never forget who He died for!!!!
Wednesday, April 21, 1999
“ICE CREAM IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL”
Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, “God is good. God is great. Thank You for the food, and I would
even thank You more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!”
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!”
Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”
As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.
He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”
“Really?” my son asked.
“Cross my heart.” Then in a theatrical whisper he added indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing, “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”
Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already.”
-contributed by Ed Andrist
Tuesday, April 20, 1999
SPIRITUAL VITAMINS A TO Z
Anxious? Take Vitamin A.
All things work together for good for those who love God, who are
called according to his purpose.
(Rom 8:28)
========
Blue? Take Vitamin B.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his
holy
name.
(Ps 103:1)
========
Crushed? Take Vitamin C.
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
(1 Pet 5:7)
========
Depressed? Take Vitamin D.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
(Jas 4:8)
========
Empty? Take Vitamin E.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give
thanks to him, bless his name.
(Ps 100:4)
========
Fearful? Take Vitamin F.
Fear not, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.
(Isa 41:10)
========
Greedy? Take Vitamin G.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put unto your lap; for the
measure you give will be the measure you get back.
(Lk 6:38)
========
Hesitant? Take Vitamin H.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who
announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who
says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”(Isa 52:7)
========
Insecure? Take Vitamin I.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
(Phil 4:13)
========
Jittery? Take Vitamin J.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Heb 13:8)
========
Know nothing? Take Vitamin K.
Know this that the Lord is God, it is He that made us and not we
ourselves.
(Ps 100:3)
========
Lonely? Take Vitamin L.
Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
(Mt 28:20)
========
Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M.
My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in
meakness.
(2 Cor 12:9)
========
Nervous? Take Vitamin N.
Never, no never will I leave you nor forsake you.
(Heb 13:5)
========
Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O.
Overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:21)
========
Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give
to you the peace the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
(Jn 14:27)
========
Quitting? Take Vitamin Q.
Quit you like men and women, be strong.
(1 Cor 16:13)
========
Restless? Take Vitamin R.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Ps 37:7)
========
Scared? Take Vitamin S.
Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life
seeks
your life; you will be safe with me.
(1 Sam 22:23)
========
Tired? Take Vitamin T.
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall
mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
they
shall walk and not faint.
(Isa 40:31)
========
Uncertain? Take Vitamin U.
Understand that I am (the Lord). Before me no god was formed, nor
shall there be any after me. (Isa 43:10)
========
Vain? Take Vitamin V.
Vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
(Acts 5:16)
========
Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W.
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
(Mic 6:8)
========
eXhausted? Take Vitamin X.
Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
(1 Tim 4:7)
========
Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will
fear no evil; for you art with me; your rod and your staff-they
comfort me.
(Ps 23:4)
========
Zapped? Take Vitamin Z.
Zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14)
-contributed by Keith Jeske
Monday, April 19, 1999
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another solider.The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart, and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art. “The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a
gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantel. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed then any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collections. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence.
Then a voice at the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?”
Another voice shouted angrily, “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!”
But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?” Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Because he was a poor man, it was all he could afford.
“We have $10, who will bid $20?” asked the auctioneer. “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.” “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”
A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!”
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?”
“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”
God gave His Son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The Son, the Son, who’ll take the Son?” Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
-contributed by Ed Andrist
*Ed Andrist is the Mens Head Basketball Coach at Mt. Senario college.
Sunday, April 18, 1999
” A LOVE STORY “
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah the beauty of God’s creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me.
He asked me, “Do you love me?”
I answered, “Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!”
Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?”
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn’t; be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You.”
Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you still love my creation?” How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, “Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you.”
The Lord then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?” How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God’s Word is not merely using our ears,
but our hearts. I answered, “It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word.”
The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?”How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are
persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, “Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.
And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?” With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, “Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!”
I thought I had answered well, but God asked, “THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?” I answered, “Because I am only human. I am not perfect.” “THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?”
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?”
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
“Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?”
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
“You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all.”
“DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?”
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.”
The Lord answered, ” That is My Grace, My child.”
I asked, ” Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?”
The Lord answered, “Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever.”
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?” Jesus answered, “This much.” as He stretched His arms and died on the cross for me. (And you too!)
I then bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.
Author Unknown.
-contributed by Sandi Moser
FAITH
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in the classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy:
Teacher: Tommy do you see the tree out side?
Tommy: Yes.
Teacher: Tommy, do you see the grass out side?
Tommy: Yes.
Teacher: Go out side and look up and see if you can see the sky.
Tommy: OK. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
Teacher: Did you see God?
Tommy: No.
Teacher: That’s my point. We can’t see God because he isn’t there.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. Teacher
agreed and she asked the boy:
Little Girl: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
Tommy: Yes.
Little girl: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
Tommy: Yessssss (getting tired of the questions by this time)
Little girl Did you see the sky?
Tommy: Yessssss
Little Girl: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
Tommy: Yes
Little Girl: Do you see her brain?
Tommy: No
Little Girl: Does that mean she doesn’t have one?
-contributed by Tim Reynolds
Friday, April 16, 1999
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a POSITIVE answer for it.
You say: “It’s impossible”
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: “I can’t go on”
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm (1:15)
You say: “I can’t figure things out”
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: “I can’t do it”
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: “I’m not able”
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: “It’s not worth it”
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
You say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: “I can’t manage”
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: “I’m afraid”
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says:I give you wisdom (I Cor. 1:30)
You say: “I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
-contributed by Ralph & Judy Fischer
Thursday, April 15, 1999
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
by Erma Bombeck
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television-and more while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more “I love yous”.. more “I’m sorrys”… but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it… live it…and never give it back.
In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight against cancer.
-contributed by Bruce Nelson
Wednesday, April 14, 1999
Time is running out for my friend. We are sitting at lunch when she casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of “starting a family.” What she means is that her biological clock has begun its countdown, and she is being forced to consider the prospect of motherhood.
“We’re taking a survey,” she says, half joking. “Do you think I should have a baby?”
“It will change your life,” I say cheerfully, keeping my tone neutral.
“I know,” she says. “No more sleeping in on Saturdays, no more spontaneous vacations..”
But that is not what I mean at all. I look at my friend, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of childbearing heal, . . . but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will be forever vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never read a newspaper again without asking, “What if that had been my child?” That every plane crash, every fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of “Mom!” will cause her to drop a perfect soufflé or her best crystal without a moment’s hesitation. I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think about her baby’s sweet smell… She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her child is all right.
I want my friend to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy’s desire to go to the men’s room rather than the women’s at McDonald’s will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in the restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive friend, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope of more years – not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish his. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My friend’s relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is always careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his son or daughter. I think she should know that she will fall in love with her husband again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my friend could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried desperately to stop war and prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children’s future. I want to describe to my friend the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to hit a baseball. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real . . . it hurts. My friend’s quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
“You’ll never regret it,” I say finally. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my friend’s hand, and offer a prayer for her and me and all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this holiest of callings.
Anonymous-
-contributed by Ed Andrist
Tuesday, April 13, 1999
The Smell Of Rain
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her husband David held her hand. That afternoon, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency cesarean to deliver the couple’s new daughter, Danae Lu Blessing.
At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor’s soft words dropped like bombs. “I don’t think she’s going to make it,” he said. “There’s only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, her future could be a very cruel one.”
Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Danae would likely face if she survived. She would never walk; she would never talk; she would probably be blind; she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation; and on and on.
“No! No!” was all Diana could say. She and David with their 5 year-old son Dustin, had dreamed of the day they would become a family of four. Now, in a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.
“David said that we needed to talk about making funeral arrangements,” Diana remembers, “I felt so bad for him because he was doing everything, trying to include me, but I just couldn’t listen.”
I said, “No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don’t care what the doctors say. Danae is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!”
Danae clung to life with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could endure but as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Danae’s underdeveloped nervous system was essentially “raw,” the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort – so they couldn’t even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests. All they could do was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
As the weeks went by, she slowly gained weight and strength. When Danae turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her. Two months later, though doctors continued to warn that her chances of survival – much less living a normal life – were next to zero, Danae went home, just as her mother had predicted.
Five years later, Danae is a petite but feisty young girl. She shows no signs of any mental or physical impairment. But this happy ending is far from the end of her story.
One blistering summer afternoon, Danae was sitting in her mother’s lap watching her brother’s baseball team practice. As always, Danae was chattering non-stop with her mother. Hugging her arms across her chest, Danae asked, “Do you smell that?”
Detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, “Yes, it smells like rain.”
Still caught in the moment, Danae shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, “No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest.”
Tears blurred Diana’s eyes as Danae then hopped down to play. Her daughter’s words confirmed what the Blessing family had known all along. During the first two months of life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Danae on His chest, and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
John M. Kirkpatrick
-contributed by Jan Zelier
Monday, April 12, 1999
LOVE
Love is giving space to be and to grow.
Love is a choice — not a should.
Love is sharing hopes, fears, and joys;
It is a sharing of tears and laughter.
Love won’t come to you if you hide
And expect it to find you.
Love will find you only if you are open to it.
Love is only received by those who put forth love.
Love is reaching out and sometimes letting go.
Love is being honest,
And open,
And real…even when it hurts.
For hurting brings growth,
And to love is to give one the space to grow.
Love is made up equally of giving and receiving.
Too much or too little of either distorts true love.
Love is being close but not smothering;
Close enough for our hearts to touch,
But far enough away to see each other
And ourselves clearly.
— Carol A., 1978
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Sunday, April 11, 1999
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage.
One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.
When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She
could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had singed her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.
Because she was willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.
-Psalm 91:4 NIV
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
Saturday, April 10, 1999
A little boy about 10 years old was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, “My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly in that window?” “I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” was the boys reply.
The lady took him by the hand and went into the store and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel.
He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with a towel.
By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy’s feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, “No doubt, my little fellow, you feel more comfortable now?”
As she turned to go, the astonished lad caught her by the hand, and looking up in her face, with tears his eyes, answered the question with these words: “Are you God’s Wife?”
-contributed by Sandi Moser
Friday, April 9, 1999
In the recent basketball team academic scandal at the University of Minnesota, the focus is on cheating. One thing about God’s team, everybody’s has to take his or her own tests!
Thursday, April 8, 1999
Many people wonder why God has not blessed them financially. Perhaps it is because they want to be INDEPENDENTLY wealthy.
Wednesday, April 7, 1999
God has given special gifts to each of us to share with one another. There are those people who are especially blessed with the “gift of encouragement,” but we can all give encouragement. Be a blessing to someone today. Encourage them! We need each other.
Tuesday, April 6, 1999
I’m trying to figure out what’s happened to the rest of the world. Most of the time when I sit down and watch television I flip the channels wondering, “Who in the world watches this stuff?” It is rare that I find a program that is interesting and entertaining. So, I suppose that the obvious question would be, “If Jesus were living in the flesh on the earth today what programs, if any, would he watch?”
Monday, April 5, 1999
Is the resurrection, Easter Sunday, a celebration of history or a call to the future? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than a mere celebration of the past. It is a mandate for the future.
We are no different than the disciples when Jesus gave them the great commission to go into the entire world preaching the gospel and making disciples. The words of Jesus, through the scriptures, place it squarely on each of our shoulders.
For those who think we have accomplished this task with mission excellence need only turn on the television and check out what’s happening in what was once Yugoslavia. Hate passed on from generation to generation can not be killed. It takes an act of God through the ministry of the church to change hate to love, reconciled and realized through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the church in former Yugoslavia and those who are ministering in the refugee camps.
Sunday, April 4, 1999
HE IS RISEN!
Saturday, April 3, 1999
The Tiniest Crucifixion
Lord Jesus, could you rock him for a while?
He had no mother’s breast, no father’s smile;
No downy, silken pillow for his head.
They placed him in that bloody basin-dead.
He was so small, this baby doomed to die.
His mother’s rights, the only reason why
From somewhere warm and safe, they tore this child,
Lord Jesus, could you rock him for a while?
Poor little one, who was it took your breath?
Who made the healer’s hands a thing of death?
Who was your Judas? Mother? Doctor? State?
Or was it we who fought your cause too late?
Please, Jesus, rock the other babies too;
Forgive us, Lord, we do know what they do.
He had no cradle, cross, no grave nor tomb,
This baby-crucified inside the womb.
–by Colleen Dahlmann
-contributed by martin Wishnatsky
Friday, April 2, 1999
Until we understand what is good about Good Friday, we’ll never understand what’s great about Easter Sunday!
Thursday, April 1, 1999
Jeremy’s Egg
Jeremy was born with a twisted body, a slow mind and a chronic, terminal illness that had been slowly killing him all his young life. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible and had sent him to St. Theresa’s Elementary School.
At the age of 12, Jeremy was only in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Miss Miller, often became exasperated with him. He would squirm in his seat, drool and make grunting noises. At other times, he spoke clearly and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain. Most of the time, however, Jeremy irritated his teacher.
One day, she called his parents and asked them to come to St. Teresa’s for a consultation. As his parents sat quietly in the empty classroom, she said to them, “Jeremy really belongs in a special school. It isn’t fair to him to be with younger children who don’t have learning problems. Why, there is a five-year gap between his age and that of the other students!”
Jeremy’s mother cried softly into a tissue while her husband spoke. “Miss Miller,” he said, “there is no school of that kind nearby. It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here.”
Miss Miller sat for a long time after they left, staring at the snow outside the window. Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul. She wanted to sympathize with them. After all, their only child had a terminal illness. But it wasn’t fair to keep him in her class.
She had 18 other youngsters to teach and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore, he would never learn to read or write. Why waste any more time trying?
As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. “Oh God,” she said aloud, “here I am complaining when my problems are nothing compared with that poor family! Please help me to be more patient with
Jeremy.”
From that day on, she tried hard to ignore Jeremy’s noises and his blank stares. Then one day he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg behind him. “I love you, Miss Miller,” he exclaimed, loudly enough for the whole class to hear. The other children snickered, and her face turned red. She stammered, “Wh-Why, that’s very nice, Jeremy. Now please take your seat.”
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. She told them the story of Jesus, and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg. “Now,” she said to them “I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Miss Miller!” the children responded enthusiastically – all except for Jeremy. He just listened intently, his eyes never left her face. He did not even make his usual noises. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus’ death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps she should call his parents and explain the project to them.
That evening, Doris’ kitchen sink stopped up. She called the landlord and waited an hour for him to come by and unclog it. After that, she still had to shop for groceries, iron a blouse and prepare a vocabulary
test for the next day. She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy’s parents.
The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller’s desk. After they completed their math lesson, it was time to open the eggs.
In the first egg, Doris found a flower. “Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life,” she said. “When plants peek through the ground we know that spring is here.” A small girl in the first row waved her arms.
“That’s my egg, Miss Miller,” she called out.
The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. “We all know that a caterpillar changes and turns into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that is new life, too.” Little Judy smiled
proudly and said, “Miss Miller, that one is mine.”
Next she found a rock with moss on it. She explained that the moss, too, showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the classroom. “My Daddy helped me!”, he beamed.
Then she opened the fourth egg. She gasped. The egg was empty! Surely it must be Jeremy’s, she thought, and, of course, he did not understand her instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents. Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another. Suddenly Jeremy spoke up.
“Miss Miller, aren’t you going to talk about my egg?” Flustered, Doris replied, “but Jeremy – your egg is empty!” He looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty too!”
Time stopped. When she could speak again she asked him, “Do you know why the tomb was empty?” “Oh yes!” Jeremy exclaimed. “Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised him up!” The recess bell rang.
While the children excitedly ran out to the schoolyard, she cried. The ice inside her melted completely away.
Three months later Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket,…………………all of them empty.
