God is Everywhere

The Egret and the Bluebird
Posted by Donald on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 7:32am
Early yesterday morning I received a distressing phone call. A friend from Florida called to tell me her niece found her four month old son dead in his crib. I cannot even begin to imagine the heartbreak and emotions such an event would trigger. She also called to ask me to pray for the mother and her little angel and asked me why such a thing could happen. My only answer was God wanted this little child to come home and for reasons only He understands. Through the years I have read verse upon verse on how Jesus opened His consuming and loving arms to the little ones. Hear the words of the Messiah, "Jesus said 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 That afternoon my friend invited the grieving and distraught mother to come to her home for coffee and hopefully some rest. They went outside and sat on the patio and within a few minutes an egret, with long legs, long neck and slim beak made its entrance and settled in the bird bath just a few feet away. At the same time a bluebird came and perched on the fence surrounding the patio. These unexpected visitors stayed, almost motionless, for hours. I would like to believe Christ sent this pair, one with its cluster of milky white distinctive feathers and the other for its calming beauty to console, offer peace and provide hope to this now childless mother. Only Jesus could orchestrate such a meeting. I believe they witnessed a miracle. I also feel our Savior was either on the patio with them or at the very least, close by. Remember the definition I gave in Volume 1, "A coincidence is a miracle that wishes to remain anonymous." He sent these birds as a sign for eventual healing and to show His unconditional love at this time of horrible grief and sadness "How great are his signs and mighty his wonders!. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation." Daniel 4:3 As I learned in my studies for the Stephen Ministry we can listen, advise and pray but only Christ can do the healing. He will continue to work within this woman's heart with the gentle touch of both the Father and His Son. We who are born again know this little cherub is now resting in a place called Paradise.
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Christmas Eve
Posted by Donald on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 2:48pm
This December my favorite radio station is broadcasting only Christmas music for the entire month. I have been listening to seasonal hymns, hand-bells, special holiday carols, inspirational orchestras and church choirs, singing chipmunks along with pop sprinkled with rock and roll and soft jazz. I can still remember being a little boy and hearing neighborhood carolers strolling from house to house on a snowy Christmas Eve as I was being tucked in to dream of dancing sugar plums and chubby Santa's. It was a wonderful time of innocent anticipation and child like pleasure. Two thousand years earlier the world witnessed the first Christmas Eve and it was also ushered in with joy and celebration. There were even presents as the wise men followed a brilliant star to Bethlehem and placed their offerings at the feet of the Christ child. "When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:10-11 Ever since that life-changing evening nations have celebrated Christ and the wonder of his earthly birth. His coming was recorded hundreds of years in advance by the prophet Isaiah (Isa 7:14). He was born of a virgin mother and placed in the feeding trough of stable animals. Such a humble beginning! At the same time God's angels surrounded the shepherds living in the fields nearby, singing praises to the newborn and witnessing to them the meaning of that night. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people." Luke 2:10 Eventually he was crucified, died, buried and resurrected to heaven. Those of us who share a new birth in Christ look forward to his triumphal and glorious return.
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Thanksgiving
Posted by Donald on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 12:42am
This afternoon while rearranging a bookshelf I picked up an old and rarely used Bible. A forgotten booklet inside the front cover fell to the floor and as I reached down I noticed it was a daily devotional, aged and tattered for the month of November. As believers we have learned to celebrate Thanksgiving daily, praising our Lord for His surrounding presence, and the promise of His patience and understanding. Whether is is in silent or public worship we are thankful for His gracious blessings and the assurance He provides. By His intervention we have been introduced to those persons giving direction and motivation to out earthly visit. I remember the high school teacher who spent the time instructing me to make the right choices and the university Dean giving me the second chance. I reflected on my proud and respected uncle teaching me the history of the markets and the golf professional taking me under his wing as I drifted between jobs. Or the pastor who brought me to Christ through his instructions and prayers. These I call my "balcony people", without whom my journey would have been more difficult and my destination less certain. I thank God for giving me a loving and caring family growing together under His spirit of protection, maturing in character and developing in faith. A family sharing their lives with trust and devotion, with passion and hope. The one God has granted me for this brief moment giving my life meaning and the future a purpose. It is because of Him these things are made possible and I am thankful for His spiritual guidance and heavenly intent. My holiday of gratitude is not with pilgrims or turkey but one celebrating my relationship with Christ and His everlasting message. My hunger is for His friendship and through Him the ultimate gift of eternal life. Psalm 100:4
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A Grandfather's Moment
Posted by Donald on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 3:00pm
A few years ago we traveled to Colorado to celebrate our grandson's third birthday. We enjoyed the beautiful and scenic drive witnessing in awe God's artstic splendor and majestic creation. Michael's party was scheduled during his preschool afternoon recess and included his precious little classmates, teachers, parents and of course, the proud grandparents. When we arrived the children were sitting on their favorite blankets in a circle, legs crossed and attentive, while the birthday boy and his teacher stood holding hands in the middle. We settled into tiny preschool chairs, certainly not designed for adults, in a far corner of the room. The teacher suggested Michael select one of his special friends, walk to the kitchen together and wash their hands using the "magic soap," then go outside in preparation for cake and ice cream. At that moment he left the others, and with head bowed, walked to where I was watching and climbed onto my lap as his "special friend." Silent tears turned into an emotional and very visable tide as I was so overcome by his sincerity. I believe God touched me with His healing grace in order for me to experience such loving and caring expressions of innocence. He also gave me the knowledge to choose priorities for my remaing years and to be able to cherish and reflect on life's important memories. I find myself becoming more sensitive to these special moments as He has granted me the gift of peace while at the same time giving me stillness in my soul as only He can understand. I have been completely blessed by His intervention and thankfull for the friendship He lovingly provides. Someday His reasons will become clear and His timing revealed. Job 29:5
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Choice
Posted by Donald on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 11:28am
The other day I needed to make an emergency grocery run as I was completely out of my favorite breakfast cereal. I really never thought about it but as I walked the store I found cereal products take up one full aisle, three and sometimes four shelves high. I remember as a kid our choices were limited to Wheaties, Cheerios and Kix. No early morning sugar highs back then. The overstocked cereal aisle pales in comparison to the numerous sinful temptations that surround us daily on this, our temporary earthly walk. They are not stacked neatly, row by row and box by box, but the pantry designed by the Evil One is stocked with hideous layers of deceitful treats and deadly snacks. His goal is to place before us untold and damaging pleasures meant to separate us from the Father. Read what the prophet Isaiah writes, "But your inequities have separated you from your God, your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2 Do you understand the consequences of snacking from The Devil's cupboard? He serves us a dangerous diet leading to an eternal lifetime of desperate and lonely isolation. One without love, peace or joy. For me the choice is obvious. Listen as Peter addresses the apostles and elders, "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the Gospel and believe." Acts 15:7 We are all given the choice that determines our never-ending future. It is the most important choice you will ever make. Many years ago I was placed in a situation where I experienced terrible isolation and horrible loneliness.. I won't go into the detail but it was a time of dreadful feelings of separation from my God. I now know how David must have felt as he cried out, night after night, for God to answer this heartfelt petitions. I can't imagine anything more horrifying than descending into the fiery pit of despair and being welcomed by the suffering residents of the Devil's place. Read what Matthew writes regarding what's to come, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels." Matthew 24:41 Something to think about.
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