Given April 25, 2006

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:8 ” This is what I’ve tried to do for many years, walk as a child of light. Because, being in education, I know that students, parents, and others are watching me all the time especially if I’m known as a Christian. Many times I’ve failed and people see that but they’re still watching to see how I respond in failure. You wonder if you’ve ever made any difference in anyone’s life.

Well, the other day I got an email from a young lady who ran track for me back in the 80’s. It was great hearing form her and learning about her life in Texas. But you know, she made a statement that warmed my heart. She said I was her FAVORITE, (and that’s how she wrote it), teacher and that she really looked up to me. Wow!

As we go through life and do the best we can, we need to be aware that we ARE affecting those around us; our light IS shining. I want it to be positive, don’t you? God bless you Pam.

Given April 22, 2006
Recently I attended a conference on Early Childhood Education at the local college and heard a wonderful speaker who brought up several good points. Although he was speaking about how we treat children in school and as parents, I found myself saying “Amen” to many of his comments.

One of them was the picture of us walking a tight rope pushing a wheel barrow and the question was, “Who wants to ride in my wheel barrow?” Well, to trust someone enough to let them push you across a tight rope in a wheelbarrow is true trust. You have to have laid the groundwork and portrayed yourself as someone who can be trusted before anyone will get in.

This reminds me of the scripture, ” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16“. People are watching us and forming opinions about us; our light is shining. If we’re witnessing to someone, (asking them into our wheelbarrow), and they’ve seen our negative light, they won’t get in. This brother even asked, “Would your kids or spouse get in?”. It’s something to think about.

And, he also reminded us that we often will only invite the clean, good smelling, “acceptable” types into our wheelbarrow. Shame on us!

Given August 25, 2005
The other day, a delivery guy brought me a package and presented me with a receipt to sign. It didn’t have my name on it, (it was my wife’s), but I accepted it anyway and signed the receipt.

God showed me how similiar situations might play out in the spiritual realm. Satan is constantly trying to get you to give up on something you’re believing for; to create doubt and make you say,”Oh, what’s the use. This isn’t going to work.” If you say that, it’s like signing the receipt and accepting the package of defeat! Don’t do it! The Bible says, “You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught by the speech of your mouth. Proverbs 6:2” Our words create the atmosphere in which we live. God created the universe by the words of His mouth. It says in Romans that God, “…speaks those things which are not as though they were.” Romans 4:17.

We are made in the image of God and I believe we should talk like Him as well. The devil listens to what we say so we should never say things that would encourage him. Guard your words and speak words of faith. Don’t give up and allow doubt to contaminate your faith.

Given February 4, 2006
My wife sent me to the store recently to get a certain grocery item. I had it in my mind that it came in a blue box and that’s what I was looking for, but couldn’t find it. As frustration began to mount, I thought, “Maybe it’s not in a blue box. Focus on the name.” Well, right there it was, in a red box! I had focused so much on blue that I missed what I was looking for, the real thing.

Could it be, in the same way, we’re looking for God in the bonfire but He’s in the candle? We’re listening for the shout and He’s speaking in a whistper? Or, we’re looking for God in the world and He’s in our hearts? It happened to Elijah too. “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12“

I try to see God in many things; nature, music, the Word, people. He reveals himself in many ways but it’s not usually the way we’re expecting. Look in some different places and see what you find.

Have a blessed day!

Given April 1, 2006
We are called to be doers of the word, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22” Jesus said, “.… I must be about my Father’s business. Luke 2:49“. Some of us are called to leadership positions in the church and all of us are called to tell the Good News in various ways. But how much is too much?

I was reminded this day of the Father’s love for me and His desire to fellowship and talk with me. But sometimes I get so busy, I can hear the Father asking, “Son, where are you today? And I answer, “I’m rght here Dad but I’ve got to take care of some church business right now. I’ll talk to you later.” I don’t know if God gets sad but, as a father of four sons, I get sad if one of my boys doesn’t have time for me.

It reminds me of the 1974 song by Harry Chapin, “Cat’s In The Cradle”, in the last chorus it says, “When you coming home, son?” “I don’t know when, But we’ll get together then, dad. You know we’ll have a good time then.” We surely don’t want this scenario to unfold with our kids and God doesn’t want it either. Go talk to Him now.