Given January 8, 2007
One day in a land far away, (maybe not so far), the King asks his servants to come to the palace to receive some blessings. He asks the people to bring a container to carry the blessings home in.

One family hears the good news and says, “We’ve got some really big needs so let’s take the biggest pot we have in the cupboard so we can take care of our family.” They go to the palace and get a pot full of blessings.

Another family hears the same news and says, “Sure we’ve got some needs but our neighbors are all worse off than we are, let’s take the truck so we can help them out.” They go to the palace and get a truck full of blessings and distribute them in their neighborhood. They kept the leftovers for themselves.

The next day, a big tractor trailer pulls up to their house stuffed full of blessings. They said, “What’s this? We got our blessings yesterday from the King at the palace.” The driver says, “Yeah, we know. But the King noticed how you gave your blessings to your neighbors and wanted to bless you some more. Where do you want us to put this?”

The only limit to our receiving blessings is the size of our pot. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38”.

And, the King notices what we do in secret and rewards us in public. “…and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6”.

Let’s check the size of our giving pots.

Given January 8, 2007
I’m in the last few months before early retirement and I was lamenting, during my morning prayer, how I was confused and unsettled in my life about what I’m supposed to do. I know God has something planned for me but He’s not let me in on it or I’ve not seen what He’s trying to show me.

As I sorta whined about it, the Holy Spirit simply said, “Well, spend more time with me and you’ll see clearly.” I accepted that and realized the answers to all my questions can be found in the presence of Jesus.

When I got to the office and looked at my daily scripture calendar, the verse grabbed me! It was Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” The devotion said, “You can have peace despite the storms. Stay close to Jesus Christ. Read God’s Word. Pray.

That’s what we know as confirmation! Now, it’s my choice to act on it.

Given January 5, 2007
This….is all there is to it.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8“.

If you want success, there you go!

Given November 23, 2006
Well, the New Year reflections and resolutions have been made and I’m four days into it now. I want 2007 to be the best year ever for me and my family, don’t you? I want to be a blessing and be blessed. I want everyone around to know I’m a child of God and for God to be proud of me, AND for Him to get the credit. But, how’s that going to happen?

God get’s glory when we bear fruit and are healthy and prosperous and we proclaim that He is responsible for it. “The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:31“. When people see what God has done in us, it’ll look good on Him.

I think sometimes, how would people know I’m a Christian. When you’re at Walmart or somewhere and see all those people, how do you know which ones are Christians? In 2007, I want more people to know about me. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8“. That’s it; SHOWING yourselves to be His disciples. Praying over your meals in the restaurant and giving a big tip, being extra nice to the checkout girl, smiling at people, being Christlike in difficult situations, offering to pray for someone’s need-right then and there……

If this is something you’d like to join me in doing in 2007, why not comment on some other ways we can give God glory. Amen!

Special Edition
It was a very different Christmas at the Dotson house this year.

We have four boys; two married, one in China, and one still in college. In past years, Christmas morning consisted of the boys having to be jostled out of bed to come downstairs to see what was under the tree for them. (When my brother and I were little, our parents couldn’t keep us in bed!) Not so this year.

With the two married boys at home celebrating with their own families and son #3 in China, it was just Mom and me and son #4 who was sleeping pretty soundly. So the wife and I headed off to the house of grandson #1, (son #2 & wife). We had some gifts for them and spent and hour or so there.

Then we headed across town to grandaughter #1 and grandson #2, (son #1 & wife) and spent some time with them. Pretty neat stuff! At around 1:00 P.M., we arrived home to find son #4 still asleep! So we hollered for him to come down and we opened our Christmas gifts while I took pictures of everything. It took about 15 minutes. A far cry from the way it used to be. And, you know, it was sorta sad. Things are changing.

Later in the day, son #1 and #2 came over with their gifts for us and we went through it all again. We had a house full then, like in the old days, with little kids running around full of excitement. We all agreed we had spent too much and vowed to do something different next year. In 2007, son #3 will be home for Christmas and we’ll have all four boys, wives, grandkids and everyone all together again. Family is a good thing.

It reminds me, however, that many families haven’t been so blessed as the Dotsons are and we need to remember them. Sure, we donate to several charaties, buy Angel Tree angels, and help out wherever we can but there must be more.

Jesus is the best gift anyone could receive and He can be given all year long! Let us think about our fellow man all during the year and do more to give the gift of Jesus and His love. Here’s wishing you and yours a prosperous, healthy, safe and blessed 2007.