| Simplicity | | Posted by Donald on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 10:36am | I have an antique wooden cracker box resting on top of my refrigerator. It was purchased at a craft store and has an inscription on the front that reads, "Live Simply." It is a daily and welcome reminder for this aging retiree.
I am finding in my later years patience is more than a virtue, it is a necessity. Those early years of anxiety followed by a career of stress and pressure has given way to a life of peaceful thoughts and warm reflections. No longer am I on the clock, no more dashing for appointments and certainly no need to travel during rush hour. I even sleep in on occasion.
Two of my favorite Biblical passages are found in 2 Timothy. They read,
"Flee the evil desire of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2
Today my passion is trying to live a righteous life by faith and to share the Good News through my books of inspiration and encouragement. The responses I have received tell me lives have been altered and reshaped after reading my essays.
What greater joy is there than to know my writings touched a readers spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
There is none.
Luke 2:10 | | | | | Keeping Up | | Posted by Donald on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 10:22am | There she was, the mother of nine, protecting her eggs on top of one of my outdoor flower pots. She disposed of one, hatched seven and four survived. It was wonderful watching her care for and nurture her young and finally seeing them waddle as a group toward the pond outside my den window. Over time they grew strong and playful spending the warm afternoons swimming, snacking and snuggling.
There was one however who had an injured leg and walked with a noticeable limp. It was all it could do just to keep up. It was sad to watch and my heart ached for this little duckling. Then one day as they were crossing my lawn, with the little trooper falling further and further behind, the others stopped until it could catch up, then went a little further and stopped again. This loving gesture by its brothers and sisters continued throughout the summer and into autumn and then one day they were gone, probably to a new and warmer home. I often think of my little friend and how its family loved and protected one of their own.
Isn't Jesus our ultimate Protector? He cares for and loves us 24/7 even though we at times ignore His presence and often forget the promise. Seek Him now and He will surround you with the protection only He can provide and the care we can't fully understand.
Listen as David raises his voice in prayer to the Father,
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing with joy.
Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12
There is no greater assurance than accepting God is in control and knowing He desires only the very best for us. Revisit the peaceful image of sitting on the lap of Jesus and having Him hold you tightly in total love, protection and harmony. Speak to Him of your fears and concerns and above all, listen intently for His reply. His answer may not be immediate but it will come.
Read the words of David as he petitions his God,
"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6
Petition the Lord in all circumstances. Then gently and silently listen for His response.
Psalm 4:1
| | | | | Announcement | | Posted by Donald on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 8:05pm | | My monthly blog will not be posted for December and January as I am scheduled for surgery on the 1st. | | | | | The Moon | | Posted by Donald on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 12:11am | The moon is a beautiful object. Whether full or crescent, half or sliver, its beauty has been viewed with awe since the beginning of time. A full harvest moon is one of the most spectacular sights in the heavens as is the infrequent and dramatic lunar eclipse. Early man saw the moon and wrote fables while recent men looked up and decided to visit.
It has been the subject of countless books and the inspiration for endless poetic songs of romance and love. Just ask those of my generation the importance of its design while parked on "lovers lane" in the front seat of a convertible. When I went away to college my high school sweetheart suggested we both look at the moon at pre-selected times. This would be our connection while apart.
If it was not for this celestial orbiter there would be no tides and the shorelines would be still and for the most part waveless. We certainly would not have as many seaside resorts, golf courses or condos. Consider for a moment the folklore of the moon being made of cheese and the excitement of seeing the "man in the moon" for the very first time.
But there is one undeniable fact about this wonder of the universe. It is a dead, silent terrestrial body without any hope for life. Its beauty is only derived by the reflection coming from its master, the sun.
Are we not crafted to be reflections of God's master plan and of His Son, Jesus Christ? We were fashioned in His likeness to ensure companionship for the One we call Holy and to worship and raise our voices in praise to the Father forever. He lights the path to eternal life while the Evil One counters with darkness and desperation. The Devil, like the moon, gives no hope for everlasting life. His only reason for contact is to seek our perpetual separation and death from our Divine Creator.
It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Beware!
"The sun will no know more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and God will be your glory."
Isaiah 60:19 | | | | | Cart | | Posted by Donald on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 7:43am | I needed to make a desperate run to the grocery. I was on my way home after a tiring Stephen Ministry visit with a terminally ill patient and his supportive and fearful wife. On top of that my arthritis was acting up after walking the hallways of the local hospital, compounded by days of heavy rain and exhausting humidity.
As I was crossing the parking lot I saw a young boy, I'd say in his early teens, loading groceries into the trunk of a car. Nearby an elderly gentleman was sitting on one of those store provided motorized carts for the handicapped. As I approached the man called out, "Do you need this cart?" What a blow! I must have looked mighty fatigued and walking much slower than normal.
It is refreshing to come across someone willing to hold out a helping hand to a total stranger.
Read these words by the unknown author written in the book of Hebrews,
"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2
Now I'm no angel, far from it, but the message is clear. Be friendly, considerate and helpful, striving to be Christ-like to all and God driven to those in need. Compassion for one another is portrayed time and time again in the Diary of the Father instructing us to lead a life of caring and love for all His children. We need look no further than the examples of Jesus as He tended to the poor, the needy and the sick. If only we could be as comforting.
Paul certainly understood this as he opened his letter to the Church
in Corinth,
"Praise be to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
It all begins with a small step of kindness.
It doesn't hurt, I promise.
3 John 1:5 | | | |
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