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.

Given December 21, 2006
My lovely wife gave me this revelation as we were going shopping on this day. We’ve all seen the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” and Mrs. D brought up a really good point from it.

Remember at the beginning of the movie you see a view from the Heavens and you hear people’s voices praying for George Bailey.
Mr. Gower says, “I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.”
Mrs. Bailey says, “Help my son George tonight.”
Bert the cop says, “He never thinks about himself, God; that’s why he’s in trouble.”
Wife Mary says, “I love him, dear Lord. Watch over him tonight.”
This sounds like intercession to me, what do you think?

These people are asking God to help George Bailey so what does God do? Yes, He sends a goofy angel named Clarence Odbody to help George but who really helps him? It’s his family and friends! God uses people to help old George.

In the end, all these people come to George’s house bringing money to help George in his time of need. “ 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“. George was a giver and people gave into his bosom, (really it was a basket).

I liked one of the lines from the gathering in the Bailey living room spoken by George’s brother Harry, “A toast…to my big brother George. The richest man in town!” George thought he was ruined financially and that everyone would be better off if he were dead. But Clarence helped him see the lives he had touched and because of that, he was rich. Clarence’s note to George in the end said, “No man is a failure who has friends.”

During this Christmas season and beyond, think of those who have given to you, pray for them and help them out if they need it. And, be a giver yourself. “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35“.