Office Halloween Party

Shaun of the Dead, meets Youth Villages.  Zombies watch out!

Praying like a child

This story was shared with me through email recently and as a father spoke to me greatly. I hope you enjoy it.

“I took my children to a restaurant.   My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, ‘God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food , and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!’ 

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, ‘That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!’ 

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, ‘Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?’ 
As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, ‘I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.’ 

‘Really?’ my son asked. 

‘Cross my heart,’ the man replied. 

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), ‘Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.’ 

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. 

He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, ‘Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.’

The changing leaves

Well this morning I was outside taking my dog Sapphire out to take care of her business.  As I stood there I was looking around the neighborhood at the brisk morning, that fall was slowly starting to gain control of, when I caught sight of the Red Maple tree in our backyard. 

We had this Red Maple planted at the slope of the hill, and as the weather has started to change so have it’s leaves.  They turn a wonderful shade of red, that reminds me of fall in Michigan with all the vibrant, bright colors.  While leaves turning in the fall is no real big surprise, the way they wore turning was what caught my eyes.

All along the backside of the tree all the leaves have turned red.  And there was a small overlap on the top where the red had crawled over the apex of the tree and started to work it’s way down the front of the tree.  I pondered for a moment why one side of the tree’s leaves were still green and the other was red as it could be.  Then Sapphire finished her business and started to sprint back towards the house, and I turned to go with her. It was when I turned that I go my answer.

As I turned around the morning sun beamed directly into my eyes, and temporarily blinded me.  I paused for a moment and looked back at the tree. It was the sun that was keeping the leaves green.  The front of the tree faced towards the east, and the rising sun.  But the backside of the tree faced toward the west, where the sun set.  But more importantly to the west of this four year old maple trees are five oak trees that are at least twenty years old and tower above the little Maple tree.  So in the evening they block the sun from reaching the maple tree.  So only the side facing the sun gets the most warmth and energy from the sun.

While this is a sheer fact of nature that could be proven any in third grade science experiement, or found in any science book in print, I know. But as I was beginning my day and had just finsihed reading my daily chapter of proverbs I began to think how much we are like that little Maple tree.

When we keep ourselves facing God, and draw our energy from Him, he will give us everything that we need to stay strong, even when the seasons change in our lives.  It is only when we turn ourselves away from him, or along things to get between him and us that we beginning to grow weary and tired, and the color of our lives begins to fade away. 

I wish that I could say that I spent the rest of the day keeping my face towards God at every moment.  But I didn’t.  The things of the day, the paperwork, the calls, the meetings quickly clogged the day and while occasionaly I would glance over at my Bible sitting on my desk I can not honestly say that I kept my face towards God all throughout the day and kept things from getting in the way.

I’m Back

Well I have been gone for a while and really have negelected this blog.  Sorry about that things have been a little crazy around in my world, and I let this slip away.  Well I have had an awesome day and I wanted to share it with everyone.  But before I do I wanted to share what I am committing to do with this page, mainly so that you can hold me accountable. And that is everyday to put something on the blog to show what God did in my life that day.  Now while he is always doing something, I am not always paying attention and I miss the blessings, the protections, the guidance, and the wisdom that he has in store for me every day. And I am hoping that by taking the specific time to stop and share what happened during the day it will not only put out to you who God is but to me, so that I can see what God is doing in my life.

Today we had the Lord’s Supper served in the church, and while many of you who have been to church that would seem like a normal function of the church.  Today was different.  Today was the first time as a deacon that I served the Lord’s Supper. And I must say it was absoluetly awesome.   I was swelling with pride, that was becoming borderline sin it was so much.  And I say that jokingly as I was just in awe that I was one of the ones sitting there. I was one of the deacons.

For years I have sat and watched my father serve as a deacon and now as I father myself it was my turn.  There I sat, or stood whichever the occasion might have been, and was one of those chosen to serve. Not just to serve crackers, and juice, but to SERVE.  And that filled me with such great awe.

Awe that I had been chosen by my church body to serve in such an awesome position of service, not just during the Lord’s supper, but throughout my days.  I know that I am not doing this story justice, because words can not convey the sheer joy that I felt as I worship in song, and in service, not as a servant of Christ but as a deacon! It was wonderful and I am still thanking God for allowing me to be chosen to serve as a deacon.