YOU HAVE GOT TO GO

Thursday, November 30, 2006

If you have not visited the Reagan library in California—you have to go! It is wonderful. Now, of course you need to have liked Ronald Reagan or be extremely interested in history or you will not enjoy it as much as I did. The library is wonderful and Air Force One (Which is inside the building) is fantastic.

It was good to be away and enjoy a visit with long time friends but it is also good to be back home. I am scheduled to preach at Lincoln Heights Christian Church Sunday and I also will be teaching a combined adult Bible class for next five weeks. If you live in the Phoenix area I would love to see you there.

As we move more into the Christmas season I hope that you are as excited as I am. I love the season and almost everything about it. I get up every morning with the excitement of a child thinking about the coming of Santa Claus. I like and enjoy the secular side of Christmas but I am tuned more to the spiritual and the Savior who came to Bethlehem. It was 39 degrees in Phoenix this morning and it will not get over 58 degrees all day. IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

FINISHING WELL

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Seventy-two! I can remember when I was amazed that anybody ever reached the ancient age of seventy-two. Now I’m there. It’s been a long road—rocky sometime, but mostly smooth. It’s been a good trip and I’m glad to be here—right where I am. I hope there’s another long road ahead, but if not—it will be OK.

The Apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)

I want to finish well. And by the grace of God I will. You can too. Fight the good fight, finish the course and keep the faith.

The end is better than the beginning.

ARE YOU STILL THANKFUL?

Friday, November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving Day is over. Are you still thankful?

Writer, Max Lucado said he prays and thanks God sometimes two or three times in an hour. I do that! I believe that is the attitude of “being always in the spirit of prayer.” I mean by this, that I pray often. I don’t see the need to bow my head over a huge meal and then go on and on thanking God for everything he has blessed me with all year.

I try to keep caught up. I don’t thank God for every bite of food I pop into my mouth. I just try to always be grateful. I want to have an attitude of gratitude. And then as far as praying goes, I keep an ongoing conversation with a heavenly Father that loves me.

Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite days. It has now passed for another year. BEING GRATEFUL HAS NOT PASSED. IT GOES ON ALL YEAR.

I STAND AMAZED AT HIS GRACE, MERCY AND GOODNESS!

ULTRA-PIOUS? I HOPE NOT. JUST TRUTHFUL.

FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

Thursday, November 23, 2006

FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
BY GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection, aid and favors…
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

Note the emphasis on God, the giver of all good gifts! Notice he assumes that God exists and that we are to obey Him and be grateful for His benefits. Today, many are wondering if there is a God and they don’t want anybody talking about obeying Him. Be grateful that we have a President that believes in God and tries to obey Him.

MEMORIES

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. I’m thinking about words from the song, “The Way We Were.” Do you remember these words? “Memories…light the corners of my mind…”

My sister-in-law’s aunt lived in the country and was used to cooking for her large family and also a special crew of workers who came at harvest time. At Thanksgiving we would drive down the highway many miles and then turn off onto the country roads and continue for more miles until we arrived at the country home. Turkey, dressing, ham, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, salads, always five or six pies and more. It wasn’t just the food—it was the fellowship—being together, sharing. That was a long time ago (50 plus years) but the memories linger.

After I got married my family, my brother’s family, Charlotte’s parents, and sometimes other relatives, got together at Thanksgiving and Christmas. What joyous occasions. Brothers, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, friends. My brother has passed away. My sister-in-law is in poor health. Charlotte’s parents and several other family members have died. Memories—how they linger. But we are thankful that our children both live here and this year Carol is fixing the Thanksgiving dinner.

Memories—how they linger.

When Charlotte and I moved to Phoenix our children came from California to be with us that first Thanksgiving, but we still felt lonely. We had worked with a church in California for twenty years and this was our first Thanksgiving in our new home of just a few months. Two couples left their families in California and came to Phoenix to be with us. Our hearts were filled with thanksgiving. The memories of those days will go with us forever.

What memories do you have of Thanksgiving Days past?

“Memories…light the corners of my mind.”

PINEAPPLE PIE

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

It doesn’t make any difference why I go to the store I always find myself rolling my cart around in the bakery section. I stop and look at the pies. Now, I don’t intend to buy a pie, it’s not good for my diabetes. I just want to see if they have any pineapple pies. They don’t! Pineapple pie is not one of the most popular pies so I understand why they don’t have any. But I check just to see. They don’t!

Yesterday, Henry’s was selling everything at 30% off and going out of business. I rolled my cart through the bakery section just to check the pies. There were only seven pies on the table. THEY WERE ALL PINEAPPLE.

I don’t know what you think, but I saw this as a sign. Every pie on the table was pineapple. Diabetes my foot. Damn the torpedoes—full speed ahead.

Last night I had hot pineapple pie topped with ice cream. This morning I’m thinking, “I should have bought two pies.”

Yep, good things come to those who wait!