SOOOOOOO VERY WRONG!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Recognizing her many talents, I urged my wife to start a blog. She did—last January.

From January until next to the last day of the year, I have done nothing but praise her excellent blogs and encourage her. Yesterday, commenting on her post for the day, I said, “Well that’s nice, but nobody will want to see it but me and you.”

WRONG!

Yes ladies I was wrong. All of you—your cousins, nieces and maybe even your aunts wanted to see it.

“Tell your husband he is wrong.” “He is so wrong.” One lady not content with those words said, “Your husband is soooooo very wrong!”

I get it. I was wrong. I’m sorry.

If I had known it would bring you so much excitement, I would have had her publish my comments for the entire world to read long ago.

I have said enough dumb things this year to fill all the computer screens across America. If Charlotte is feeling really feisty today maybe she can put together a collage of “The Many Dumb Things Clif Said In 2008.” That should really get you going.

HAPPY NEW YEAR LADIES!

THE JESUS WAY

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Dr. Barry Asmus, senior economist for the National Center for Policy Analysis, is a member of the church where Charlotte and I attend. He is a sought after speaker, one of the top five in the country, and he speaks at our church occasionally. The last time he spoke there he highly recommended the book, The Jesus Way, written by Eugene Peterson.

My daughter is an omnivorous reader and she immediately bought the book and began to read. After a few weeks had passed I inquired about the book and told her I would like to borrow it when she had finished reading it. She said, “You won’t have to borrow it, I’ll give it to you. I just can’t get into it.” So I gladly accepted her gift with a big smile on my face.

I was not disappointed. This is one of the best books I have read in 2008.

I now feel the need to clarify something. My daughter’s reaction to this book got me to thinking. In yesterday’s blog I recommended Guard Us, Guide Us by J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom. My daughter called up and said she wants to read it. The thought keeps running through my mind, “My daughter, the reader, may not like this book either.” What I am thinking is that what a retired minister likes and what the rest of you like may not be the same.

So here I go recommending another book, and you may not like it at all. So let me just say, “Check it out. I like it a lot and want you to read it. But I want you to examine it first and then buy it if you want to." I agree with Scot McKnight who said, “No one simply reads or, worse yet, skims Peterson. One ponders Peterson.” So if you are into pondering, this is the book for you.

Happy reading!

GUARD US, GUIDE US

Monday, December 29, 2008

Guard Us, Guide Us – Divine Leading in Life’s Decisions is an excellent book.

In this book, J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom seek to free us from the fear of having to make daily decisions—some big, some small. We seek to submit the choices we make to God’s will. But many of us are fearful and confused because we do not know how God guides.

How will we know when God is guiding or when we are just making a mistake?

Beginning with an exploration of Psalm 23, they show that as our Good Shepherd, God has promised to both guide and guard us, his sheep.

We need not doubt that he will lovingly grant the guidance we need as we seek him.

In this rich study of divine guidance, Packer and Nystrom show the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of Bible-based wisdom and discernment.

Guard Us, Guide Us is a book I highly recommend as good reading for the new year.

IN HIS HANDS

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Over a hundred years ago, a group of fishermen were relaxing in the dining room of a Scottish seaside inn, trading fish stores. One of the men gestured widely, depicting the size of a fish that got away. His arm struck the serving maid’s tea tray, sending the teapot flying into the whitewashed wall, where its contents left an irregular brown splotch.

The innkeeper surveyed the damage and sighed, “The whole wall will have to be repainted.”

“Perhaps not,” offered a stranger. “Let me work with it.”

Having nothing to lose, the proprietor consented. The man pulled pencils, brushes, some jars of linseed oil, and pigment out of an art box. He sketched lines around the stains and dabbed shades and colors throughout the splash of teas. In time, an image began to emerge: a stag with a great rack of antlers. The man inscribed his signature at the bottom, paid for his meal, and left. His name: Sir Edwin Landseer, famous painter of wildlife.

In his hands, a mistake became a masterpiece.

God’s hands do the same, over and over. He draws together the disjointed blotches in our life and renders them an expression of his love. We become pictures: “examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us” (Eph.2:7)

.

(Max Lucado told this story in his splendid book, Come Thirsty. He gave credit for the story to Ron Lee Davis and James D. Denny and their book, Mistreated. I now give credit to Max, Ron and James.)

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

I know. I know. It's below freezing where you live and you laugh out loud when you read my words, "It's cold outside."

But when it's only 38 degrees at ten in the morning, around here-- we think it's cold!

Last night my wife, daughter and I were over at Julio G's Mexican restaurant trying to break the turkey and dressing habit and I found myself eating the hot salsa trying to stay warm. It didn't seem like there was any heat in the place. Heck, they may not even have any heat. This is Arizona--for crying out loud. We were seated in this wonderful, over sized booth not far from the front door. Every time the big double doors opened, in rushed tons of cold air.

We noticed big, dark, black clouds hovering overhead and I thought, "Where are we"?

In snowed in Cave Creek and North Scottsdale. And although I can't prove this, I feel confident that hell froze over.

Hey, just take my word for it. It's cold outside.

OPEN TO WONDER

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

O, the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God love me.
O the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

These words by George Beverly Shea touch my heart every time I sing them, especially at this time of the year when I reflect on the grace he poured all over us at Bethlehem.

God born as a baby. He came to die that we might live. THE WONDER OF IT ALL!

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Monday, December 22, 2008

Edward Fudge sends out an e-mail that I receive on a regular basis. I found the following simple yet profound words in his last mailing. Please read them, meditate on them and think about living them out in your life.

"Live simply, love generously,
care deeply, speak kindly, and
leave the rest to God."
(anonymous)

SHARED SENTIMENTS

Saturday, December 20, 2008

(I want to use my space today to share with you a touching, heartwarming story I read in my wife’s November/December issue of Victoria magazine. This is not religious, just an example of remembering others and caring.)

My Son, Peter, and I have always shared a warm and happy relationship. As a single mom, it was important to me that we have our own family traditions. One of our most cherished rituals is exchanging stockings, just the two of us on Christmas morning. He and I would make a little game of sneaking around in the middle of the night to fill each other’s stocking. When he was 20, he moved into an apartment of his own, and though he was only across town, it signified the end of a chapter in our lives. It was bittersweet for both of us. That year, Peter spent Christmas Eve with his fiancée’s family. Although I would see him the next day, I felt an emptiness that nothing could fill. I spent the evening with my sister, and we ended the festivities earlier than usual. I went home and went to bed feeling a little sad.

The next morning, I awoke early. As I was walking down the hall, something in the dining room caught my eye—something that hadn’t been there before. As I walked over for a closer look, I promptly burst into tears. There was my stocking overflowing with little wrapped packages and a card that read, “You didn’t think I’d forget, did you, Mom? Love, Peter.” He had sneaked into the house at 2:30 a.m.! I swear I felt my heart actually contract with emotion. We laughed later when he told me how long it took to ease open the front door so that I wouldn’t hear the bells on it. I’ll always hold that Christmas memory close to my heart. Coleen Hopkins, Redmond Washington

MALL MANIA

Macy’s one day sale attracted my wife to the mall.

Wanting to support her and protect what little I have in social security, I went with her.

I have shopped with her all over the world—Paris, London, New Delhi. If there were stores there—we shopped.

After a few minutes of shopping my back starts to hurt and I have to sit down. I walked all over the second floor of Macys looking for a chair to sit down in. There was one chair and it was in the lingerie department. It was surrounded, and I do mean surrounded, by panties and bras. I voted no!

I found a nice rest area on the first floor right in front of Macy’s. I had only been there a few minutes when I felt like a non-trucker at a huge Texaco truck stop. Young women driving huge semi strollers begin pulling in. Some seated only one but most of them were more of the huge tractor trailer type and carried a full load. The “trucker moms” were loud and barking out orders that nobody paid any attention to but me.

The truckers had barely left the rest stop when in came the cell-phone, Starbucks addicts group. They were a greater distraction than the “truckers”. I felt like I was an actor in the middle of a soap opera.

The undershirts I bought (the only thing I bought) were too small. They had to be returned. I hated for Charlotte to have to go back to Macys today. I don’t think she will be there too long. My shirts? Me return them? Go back to Macys the Saturday before Christmas?

You have got to be kidding!

THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE

Friday, December 19, 2008

Oh how we all need to receive this gift—the gift of God’s grace upon us.

Read Psalm 32 and let the wonder of God’s grace fill you with joy.

Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—

you get a fresh start,

your slate’s wiped clean.

Count yourself lucky—

God holds nothing against you

And you’re holding nothing back from him.

When I kept it all inside,

my bones turned to powder,

my words became daylong groans.

The pressure never let up;

all the juices of my life dried up.

Then I let it all out;

I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to

God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—

my guilt dissolved,

my sin disappeared. (Psalm32:1-5 MSG)

THE BLUSH IS GONE

Thursday, December 18, 2008

There was a time when we could be embarrassed.

There was a time when our faces would have turned red.

Jeremiah said: "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." (Jeremiah 6:15)

Santa shouldn't be the only one with rosy red cheeks.

There are some acts that are shameful and we need to say so--even at Christmas time.

Maybe, especially at Christmas time. Santa Claus is coming to town!

If your conduct makes your face turn red when you think about Santa--what about the giver of ALL GIFTS?

CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AT CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Most of the connecting we do with others at Christmas is in the happy times.

But many are not happy. Many are suffering for one reason or another.

We need to remember the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 1:3-4 when he reminded us of one of the reasons we suffer, “[God] comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.”

Being there for others—that’s what it’s all about.

Betsie ten Boom reminded her sister Corrie just before her death in the Ravesbruck concentration camp: “[We] must tell people what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. They will listen to us, Corrie, because we have been here.”

“Because we have been here.” Ah yes, most of us have. Let’s reach out together to help those who are going through hard times. Let’s say, “Merry Christmas” and mean it!

PLACE YOUR LIFE BEFORE GOD

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2

The apostle Paul is telling us to offer ourselves to God as a sacrificial act of worship. Instead of embracing the world we are to embrace God. This is one way we discover the will of God for us and we can then respond to it

.

We are not perfect but we are marching toward maturity. Stop saying, “If I knew the will of God in this matter I would do it.” Instead start living your life—your whole life, for him and you will discover his will for you.

If you do what is right, it will be alright!

SEIZE THE DAY

Monday, December 15, 2008

Many decide that life is a meaningless investment. No matter what they say or do, tomorrow will be the same as yesterday. So they eat, drink and try to be merry.

When time and our choices become meaningless, so does life.

What we need to do is to seize life one day at a time. We will find that when we make the right choices, at the right time, we can give meaning to our life and the lives of everyone around us.

We all have been given a series of moments through which we can seize the day and have the kind of life we long for.

We need to wake up and become all we were meant to be.

BEYOND BELIEF

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Need help finding a gift for that special guy?

Look no longer. I have come to your rescue.

It’s a book! “He doesn’t like to read,” you say? It doesn’t matter. He will read this book!

Beyond Belief, Finding The Strength To Come Back by Josh Hamilton is one of the best books I have read in a long time and I read a lot of books.

Josh Hamilton was destined to be one of the greatest baseball players of all time before he lost everything in a four-year nightmare of drug addiction, and despair. But his story doesn’t end there. His story is one of spiritual redemption and triumph.

I love the fact that when asked how he made such a change, which is beyond belief, Josh always says, “It’s a God thing.” There is absolutely no other answer. His change is beyond belief.

(I was given this book by a dear, blogging friend. I can’t give each of you a book but I can give my copy to someone, and suggest that the rest of you buy the book and give it to someone you love and care about, and then ask them to pass it on.)

JOY TO THE WORLD

Many times--in fact most of the time, anticipation of an event brings more joy than the actual event--even Christmas.

We get excited about a tasty meal, a movie, a sporting event, Christmas. But all such joys are fleeting.

The apostle Paul prays for the Romans, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13).

Real joy comes when we find and accept Jesus Christ and His kingdom by faith in Him.

IGNORANCE MAY BE OUR GREATEST THREAT

Friday, December 12, 2008

Have you been watching and listening to all the news about the automobile manufactures and their financial problems?

Cal Thomas says that ignorance is a greater threat than terrorism.

Thomas Jefferson warned: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free…it expects what never was and never will be.”

I have lived a long time and I have never seen such appalling ignorance from people who are suppose to be our leaders. I see this from those who are suppose to lead their families, the church, the schools, state and federal government and just about every place.

What is lacking is not just what we call formal education—it is mainly plain old common sense or as some would say, “horse sense.”

Whatever happened to it?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Ginger surprised me this morning with this funny picture of me dancing. I don't drink but I must have been "juiced" on something because i don't even remember this day and dance at all. I'm as surprised as anybody to see that I'm quite a dancer.

GOD HAS A DREAM FOR YOU

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

You are no accident. God not only gave you life, but he also invested you with promise and potential.

What an opportunity you have. You can join with God in a great adventure.

However, you are not required to fulfill your purpose. But know this—God’s purpose will be fulfilled, with or without your involvement.

I love what Mordecai said to Esther: “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place…[yet] who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

I want to work toward fulfilling God’s dream. What about you?

FRIENDS AND THE END OF THE YEAR

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Every year around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years I start thinking about old friends.

I’m not talking about acquaintances or just friends—but intimate friends!

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” The word used here for “lives” is the Greek word for soul.

It happens every year—not just at this time of the year, but especially at this time.

I get very emotional when I start thinking about these special soul brothers and sisters.

We all have them—or should have, and if you do, you should be thankful!

SKINNY SKID ROW SANTA

Monday, December 08, 2008

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, but it’s not the one I have been seeing in the Phoenix area the last few years.

If it’s a matter of benevolence and they want to give this poor guy a job, why not a job as a custodian or even a greeter—but not Santa!

Yes, I know there are more than one of these guys. There is absolutely no way he could always be found at Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix, Chandler Mall and several others all at the same time. Whatever! Give them all jobs.

If the only job available is being a Santa Claus, then for goodness sake hire them early in the year and give them a few good meals before the holiday season hits. And if these guys come from where I think they do, you may have to give them a sack with a bottle in it to keep by their big chairs. They absolutely have to have a big smile on their face, rosy cheeks and feel like letting out with, “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!”

Walking through our mall this morning, my wife said, “Dear, you would make a good Santa. You would need a little padding but you have the right face and kind eyes.”

Thanks, but no thanks. As Dirty Harry would say, “A man has to know his limitations.” I never drink but a brown bag and one bottle would never get me through the day—I would need a whole case.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Saturday, December 06, 2008

(The following story is told by Dr. Richard Selzer from an incident in his practice of medicine. I read it in James Emery White’s excellent book, Life-Defining Moments)

I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face post-operative, her mouth twisted in palsy, clownish. A tiny twig of the facial nerve, the one to the muscles of her mouth, has been severed. She will be thus from now on…to remove the tumor in her cheek, I had to cut the little nerve.

Her young husband is in the room. He stands on the opposite side of the bed…The young woman speaks.

“Will my mouth always be like this?” she asks.

“Yes” I say, “it will. It is because the nerve was cut.”

She nods, and is silent. But the young man smiles.

“I like it,” he says. “It is kind of cute.”

…Unmindful, he bends to kiss her crooked mouth, and I so close I can see how he twists his lips to accommodate to hers, to show her that their kiss still works… I hold my breath and let the wonder in.

IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN

If I had only known

I’d never hear your voice again

I’d memorize each thing you ever said

And on those lonely nights

I could think of them once more

Keep your words alive inside my head

If I had only known

I’d never hear your voice again

You were the treasure in my hand

You were the one who always stood beside me

So unaware I foolishly believed

That you would always be there

But then there came a day

And I closed my eyes and you slipped away

If I had only known

It was my last night by your side

I’d pray a miracle would stop the dawn

And when you smiled at me

I would look into your eyes

And make sure you know my love

For you goes on and on

If I had only known

If I had only known

The love I would’ve shown

If I had only known

(Song “If I Had Only Known,” words and music by Jan Stanfield and Craig Morris)

LIBRARY BLUES

Thursday, December 04, 2008

This morning I’m heading over to the library. It’s time to get my card renewed.

I don’t know why I’m doing this. I don’t check out too many books anymore.

Our library has changed. It used to be one of the biggest and best in the area. It was a delight to go there. Today it is just a fraction—a small fraction of the size it used to be.It’s called downsizing. I don’t like it. Let them downsize something else. Leave my library alone.

I got my first library card when I was in elementary school. I have been checking out books ever since. Except I have cut back the last few years. The library is not as much fun as it used to be.

I’ll head on over there in a few minutes. It just seems like the right thing to do. Everybody should have a library card.

“Reading is a basic tool in the leading of a good life.”

SOUTHERN LIVING

For many years around the first of every month the mail carrier placed a lot of magazines in our mailbox. Not anymore!

We still receive a few magazines in the mail and our daughter provides us with several more every month.

Now, there is only one that I always look forward to with great excitement: Southern Living.

No I wasn’t born in the South. I didn’t grow up in the South. And even though I live in the Southwest, I don’t consider myself a southerner.

But I do enjoy Southern Living magazine. The December issue is a double issue and it is packed with good stuff. Oh, there is not as many of the great comfort food recipes that I like in this issue, but there is still 149 good recipes. The picture of the Big White Cake on the cover is enough to make me drool and I’m not especially fond of cake.

Some of the people at Southern Living have spent a year infusing them selves with Christmas. All that time and energy resulted in a great December issue.

WE DON'T HAVE TO WALK ON WATER

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

One Messiah is enough!

Jesus can walk on water. He can perform miracles. We don’t have to.

Mike Cope, Minister in Abilene, Texas and professor at Abilene Christian University wrote an interesting post based on Matthew 14:22-23.

He points out that Jesus did not walk on water to teach his disciples that they needed to do this but he did it for them to recognize who he is and to respond to him.

Again, one Messiah is enough. He can walk on water and he is coming to us.

I still like John Ortberg’s book, If You Want To Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat. It’s about faith, courage and risk-taking. But let’s not get to thinking we have to be miracle workers. We just need to recognize who the real Messiah and miracle worker is and respond to him.

A HEART CONDITION

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Doctors tell us that they see a lot of people with heart problems.

If you have lived very long you know that there is more than one kind of heart problem.

In Scripture the heart is often used metaphorically to represent the inner person, the seat of motives and attitudes, and the center of personality.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Proverbs 4:23 reads, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”

As we come close to the end of another year, maybe this is a good time for a checkup of motives and attitudes.

THE GIVING OF GIFTS

Monday, December 01, 2008

The test of love

is that it gives

even when

there is no

expectation of a

return.

John Ortberg -Love Beyond Reason

COME IN FROM THE COLD

Saturday, November 29, 2008

(Adapted from an article in Charles Swindoll’s splendid book, The Finishing Touch)

Christmas comes each year to draw people in from the cold.

Like tiny frightened sparrows, shivering in the winter cold, many live their lives on the barren branches of heartbreak, disappointment, and loneliness, lost in thoughts of shame, self-pity, guilt, or failure.

We try to attract them into the warmth. Week after week Choirs sing. Preachers preach. Lighted churches send out their beacon. But nothing seems to bring in those who need warmth the most.

Then, as the year draws to a close, Christmas offers its wonderful message. Immanuel. God with us. Jesus willingly descended into our world. He felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn’t come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.

For many, Christmas is the loneliest or most depressing time of the year. Single parents. The aged. The hospitalized. The dying and those ministering to them. Men and women in the military.

This Christmas season I pray that the warmth of the Savior’s love will spread itself over you as never before. And that whenever and however possible, you will keep reminding yourself that there are still tiny, shivering sparrows who are too terrified to come in from the cold. Maybe, just maybe, this Christmas, because of something you do or say…they will.

OUR VALUES ARE MESSED UP

Why do we do what we do?

Did you read about the employee who was crushed to death on Black Friday when a wild herd of shoppers ran over him in an effort to get a bargain?

Who says I can’t step on somebody’s neck that is in my way?

No absolutes. No principles. No ethics. No standards. With this kind of thinking, it’s only logical that man has no value.

But man’s value system is not the same as Gods. God believes that man is of great value! He demonstrated that to us went he sent his son to a manger in Bethlehem.

But those people who stomped over the employee on Friday weren’t thinking about the Savior, they were thinking about the stuff.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Friday, November 28, 2008

Well, not really, it looks more like Black Friday. The mall parking lots are all jammed with cars and the stores are packed with people. I know this because I have seen it on television.

Mothers and fathers were up at “the crack of dawn,” rushing from store to store trying to make sure they can prove “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

The sun is shining brightly here in Scottsdale today. I expect it to be shining just like this on December 25. It almost always does. It never really “looks” a lot like Christmas around here.

Today, tomorrow, the next day or the next, we will start decorating our house—inside and out. That will make it look a little more like Christmas. Every year, I say to myself and to Charlotte, “You know, I’m getting too old for all this climbing on ladders, crawling on the floor, packing, unpacking." She agrees. And then we go ahead and do it again!

Our church went through all this busy work a few days ago. The place looks fantastic.

Now we are getting down to the “real thing”:

Christmas in the Park Outreach Event – December 6

From Age to Age Christmas Musical – December 11, 12, 13

Christmas on Main Street Family Festival – December 13

Christmas Eve – Family Celebration, Candlelight and Carols – December 24

Yes, Virginia, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

THANKS GIVING

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

(A story by Charles Swindoll in his book, The Finishing Touch)

I will never forget that Thanksgiving.

I will never forget standing erect in my classroom, my hand over my heart, as I repeated the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.Our nation was at war and times were hard.My teacher has lost her husband on the bloodwashed shores of Normandy. After we had saluted the flag, we bowed our heads for prayer. As we did, she began to weep. I did too. All the class joined in. Then she stumbled through one of the most moving expressions of gratitude and praise that I have ever heard emerge from a soul plunged in pain.

At that moment in my young life I fell in love with Thanksgiving.

Lost in sympathy and a boy’s pity for his teacher. I walked home very slowly that afternoon. Although only a child, I had profound feelings of gratitude for my country…my friends…my school…my church…my family. I swore before God that I would fight to the end to keep this land free from foes who would want to take away America’s distinctives and the joys of living in this good land.

Thanksgiving…mark it well. It is a day of eminence, a day of memories, a day of commitment. May it not be eclipsed behind the shadows of our national aches nor beneath the passing pain of personal hardship.

May we all, indeed, give thanks.

HE LOVES THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AND HE LOVES ATHLETES

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Everyday we walked from the dorm to the Bean (cafeteria) several times. As we walked we discussed many things—but always we discussed sports and athletes.

Regardless which athlete we talked about, if he was outstanding, Ray always said, “I think he’s a member of the church”—meaning the Church of Christ. In Ray’s mind THE church and the Church of Christ was the same thing. He loves outstanding athletes and he loves the Church of Christ so he wants every athlete “worth his salt” to be a member of the Church of Christ.

This year it looks like the top two athletes in the country and vying for the Heisman Trophy are both quarterbacks, both are from Texas schools—Texas Tech and Texas University

.

You guessed it. They both are members of the Church of Christ! And not just in Ray’s mind and hopes—they really are.

I hope one of them wins too and I don’t really care which one. However, it has nothing to do with them being members of the Church of Christ. I just feel that either one of them deserves the Heisman.

Like Ray, I also love the members of the Churches of Christ. They are good people. But unlike Ray, I don’t think they are THE CHURCH. The church is made up of those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour and have become the sheep of his pasture, regardless of which pasture they are in.

HANDBLOWN ART GLASS

Monday, November 24, 2008

Today is my birthday but we have been celebrating for days. At my age you squeeze everything you can out of every special day.

So my wife gave me my first present weeks ago. We were at the Fountain Hills Arts and Craft Festival when I saw this beautiful work of art that I liked but it was entirely too expensive to just be buying. So my dear wife bought it for me for an early birthday present.

The gift is a levitating marble created by Jeff Price. Jeff is a studio-glass blower. He studied for four years under Master Glassblower Rhys Williams. His large, modern studio is in Santa Ana, California. Jeff’s pieces sometimes look like abstract paintings, sometimes like rustic remnants of a by-gone-era, and often like modern interpretations of classical art. My piece of art is his interpretation of the famous “levitating ball” illusion used by the Great Houdini, the master magician of a century ago. It is said he used it to distract his audience while performing some of his most spectacular acts. The illusion is as compelling today as it was then. Each marble is different and each is hand-blown by Jeff.

We can look at my birthday present from our kitchen, breakfast area, family room, up close on the patio and even from our pool. I will be enjoying this gift for years to come.

WRESTLING WITH GOD (GENESIS 32)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

He was the riverboat gambler of the patriarchs. Twice he dealt hidden cards to his dull-witted brother Esau in order to climb the family tree. He once pulled the wool over the eyes of his own father. He later conned his father-in-law. Yes, Jacob had a salty reputation. For him the ends always justified the means. His feet were just fast enough to keep him one step ahead of the consequences.

That is, until his own cunning caught up with him. He was finally forced to face up to himself and to God.

Jacob isn’t the only one to wrestle with self and God because of past antics.

All of us at one time or another come face to face with our past. Jacob did, and the way he dealt with it is worthy of imitation. The best way to deal with our past is to hitch up our pants, roll up our sleeves, and face it head on. No more buck-passing or scapegoating. No more games. We need confrontation with our Master.

(Taken and adapted from Max Lucado's splendid book, GOD CAME NEAR)

BOOK REVIEW

Friday, November 21, 2008

Billy: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham

Billy, written by William Paul McKay and Ken Abraham, is the untold story of a young Billy Graham and the test of faith that almost changed everything.

Charles Templeton, once regarded as the world’s greatest Christian evangelist, said of Billy Graham, “We became friends, but we were more than that. We were like brothers. We traveled together…preached together. It was impossible not to …like Billy.”

Billy’s story is told through the memory of this best friend and famous evangelist who later in life became an atheist. This is a well-written narrative that is easy to read and hard to put down.

Although most people are acquainted with Billy Graham and his crusades, this book tells the story of his early years and most of us do not know about those years of his life.

Charles Templeton and Billy Graham both struggled with their faith. Charles lost his faith, and Billy after a fierce struggle, came away with a stronger faith. He went on to become the best known evangelist in America’s history.

Templeton tells the interesting story of how Graham was “kissed” by William Randolph Hearst. He gives credit to Hearst, who owned several of the nation’s daily newspapers, for building up Billy Graham and helping to make him world famous. Templeton wondered why Hearst chose Graham when he could have chosen him. Many would tell Mr. Templeton it wasn’t Hearst who did the choosing—but God.

Tears came to my eyes more than once while reading this moving story. One meeting between Charles and Billy ended like this: “Billy’s face was downtrodden, his countenance sullen. It was done. His friend was leaving him to travel a different path, a road that would likely take them in radically different directions. Billy continued to hold out his hand…but Charles Templeton did not take it.”

Some will agree with Charles Templeton’s view that Billy Graham, who is now ninety years old, has lived a fairy tale life. Whatever your view of Charles Templeton and atheism or Billy Graham and God, you will love this book and will not want to put it down.

BLOGGER AWARD

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Kelly at Cozy Comfort gave me my first and only Blogger Award. I am sincerely grateful for this as I am the only male blogger given this out of the ten she awarded. The rules for this award call for me to nominate 10 other blogs for this award. I need to explain why I, a retired pastor and one who encourages following rules, is not going to do this. I have several male friends who tell me they read my blog but they never comment. My comments all come from females. For example: Last week I received over twenty comments on my Spiritual Sundays post and they were all from ladies. I appreciate all the ladies who comment on my blog and when I visit their blogs I think, "Wow, now this is one cool blog." At this time in my life (I will be 74 Monday) I cannot risk awarding some of these dear friends and leaving others out. So ladies, when you read my blog, take this lovely award home with you. You deserve it.

There are some rules for this award:

1. Put logo on your blog
2. Add link to person who awarded you
3. Nominate 10 other blogs for this award
4. Add links to those blogs
5. Leave message for your nominees on their blogs
6. Give reason why you think their blog is so cool

THE CITY BY THE BAY

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

For years I could sing and mean it, “I left my heart in San Francisco…”

The first time I saw San Francisco, we were on our honeymoon at the beautiful beyond description, little town of Carmel—Carmel by the Sea.

Following that initial visit we went to San Francisco many times. We eventually moved from Southern California to Northern California, only seventy-five miles from San Francisco. We went there often. We loved it. But that was fifty years ago. Things are different now.

Oh yes, the famous golden gate bridge is still there. It’s still exciting to visit fisherman’s wharf, ride the little cable cars up and down the steep hills, and visit China town. But the well dressed people are almost all gone from the streets of the city. They have been replaced by vagrants, prostitutes, drug dealers, and homosexuals. It’s not that these people have no place in the city; it’s just that they are now the overwhelming majority-- not of the total population, just out on the street. The reason for this is because people no longer feel safe walking down the street. What a shame!

I left my heart in San Francisco. The last time I went back to see about it—it was broken!

HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

How big is your God?

Blaise Pascal said, "Lord help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with your power; and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name."

Jesus did what he came to do and went back to heaven. But he is still looking for people who will dare to trust him.

We can do great things when we do them for God and with his power.