Hello my friends! Long day, but here I am! Wishing you all the best for Tuesday - may God fill you all with His Blessings. It was nice to be with the twins again, and will again tomorrow - they really are growing! 8 pounds already and only on Mother's milk. They seem to have their nights and days mixed up - they like to fuss during the night for Darla. I wonder how long that will be. Going again tomorrow and that's it for the week. I have my eye appointment on Wednesday, it's still not good, just hope I won't have to have the tear duct probed again, and on Thursday, check up for teeth, and another appointment for my knee coming up for x-ray to see what's going on there. That'll be another week. Well, I'll be turning in very soon. God bless you all!
Knowing about God and knowing God are very different things.
Lord, may I recognize Your workings in my life so that I may
really know You.
S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they
may have life, and have it abundantly." ~John 10:10
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
We can have life and have it more abundantly--spiritual, mental,
physical, abundant life--joyous, powerful life. These we can have if we
follow the right way. Not all people will accept from God the gift of
an abundant life, a gift held out free to all. Not all people care to
stretch out a hand and take it. God's gift, the richest God has to
offer, is the precious gift of abundant life. People often turn away
from it, reject it, and will have none of it. We need not let this be
true of us.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that I may hasten to accept the gift of abundant spiritual life.
I pray that I may live the good life to the best of my ability.
The Unforgettable Ride
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life,
a life for someone who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was
also a ministry. Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a moving
confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and
told me about their lives. I encountered people whose lives amazed me,
ennobled me, made me laugh and weep. But none touched me more than a woman I
picked up late one August night. I was responding to a call from a small
brick fourplex in a quiet part of town.
I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had
just had a fight with a lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some
factory for the industrial part of town. When I arrived at 2:30 am., The
building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under
these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a
minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who
depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation
smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be
someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the
door and knocked.
"Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear
something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door
opened. A small woman in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print
dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a
1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as
if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with
sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the
suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and
we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way
would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When
we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive
through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh,
don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't
have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have
very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route
would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove
through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an
elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her
husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a
furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing
as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building
or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,
"I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had
given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a
driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as
soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every
move.
They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small
suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How
much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent
and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a
little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind
me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up
any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought.
For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had
gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I
had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a
quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my
life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great
moments. But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrapped in
what others may consider a small one.
House Cleaning
Last Week I threw out WORRYING,
It was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me,
I couldn't do things my way.
I threw out those inhibitions,
They were just crowding me out.
Made room for my New Growth,
Got rid of my old dreams and doubts.
I threw out a book on MY PAST
(didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with New Goals,
Started reading it today.
I threw out childhood toys
(remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too,
Threw out the one from long ago.
Bought in some new books too,
Called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
WOW, You should've seen the dust.
I ran across an OLD FRIEND,
Haven't seen him in a while.
I believe his name is GOD,
Yes, I really like His style.
He helped me to do some cleaning
And added some thing's Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE and FAITH,
Yes I placed them right on the shelf.
I picked up this special thing
And placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT - its called PEACE.
Nothing gets me down anymore.
Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble
There just isn't any place.
Its good to do a little house cleaning,
Get rid of the old things on the shelf.
It sure makes things brighter,
Maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.
Being a Christian - Is it Impossible?
"You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)....
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love
you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians
12:9& Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I
will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I
FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians
4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II
Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God
says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith" God says: I've
given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you
wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)
You say: "I can't start all over again" God says: I
will be with you: You must be born again! (Matthew
28:19, John 3, Acts 2:38-39)
August 8 - Jesus Calling
I speak to you from deepest heaven. You hear Me in the depths of your being. Deep calls unto deep. You are blessed to hear Me so directly. Never take this privilege for granted. The best response is a heart overflowing with gratitude. I am training you to cultivate a thankful mind-set. This is like building your house on a firm rock, where life’s storms cannot shake you. As you learn these lessons, you are to teach them to others. I will open up the way before you, one step at a time.
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
—Psalm 42:7 nkjv
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
—Psalm 95:1–2
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
—Matthew 7:24–25
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