December 14, 2012

Luke 18:16


16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

November 12, 2012, Monday

I've been haunted by the Gospel lesson at our Reformation Sunday service.  The subject was Mark 13: 5-13.

⁵ Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁶ Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹ “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. ¹¹ Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

I draw from Jesus' words that we must spread the gospel at all times, even when we are persecuted for our efforts.  We are told not to worry about these times of persecution or what we are to say when asked to testify in our own defense because the words will come not from us but from the Holy Spirit.

As I read the news stories today, I find Jesus' words very comforting and see the beginning of the birth pains he references in Mark 5:8.

Thanks be to God.

August 23, 2012

Psalm 23

King James Version (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Tonight I prepare for another trip to the local heart center for a heart cath tomorrow morning to reveal why one quadrant of my heart muscle is not "ramping up" when stressed.  I pray tonight for forgiveness of my sins. I pray dear Lord that you guide the hands of the cardiologist and the hospital staff that will perform the tests and any needed procedures tomorrow. But most of all Lord, I give thanks for family, friends, and associates that are concerned and lifting prayers for me tonight.  I am truly blessed!

Tonight, I fear no evil because I know You are with me Lord as I once again walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  

Thanks be to God.  

Amen. 

Carol's Birthday

February 13, 2012

Happy birthday to my dear wife Carol!  As this photo perfectly illustrates, I will always be in the shadow of her youthful glow.  Love you....always.

David

February 12, 2012

Today was the first real cold day of winter in Savannah and the photo above is appropriate for the weather.  This cold winter blast after a Winter that has been more like Spring, is a welcome change.  The cold, although painful for my old joints, is necessary.  It ensures that the insect count this Spring will be in check, it resets the internal clocks on the plants and trees that surround us but most important, it instills appreciation for Spring in each of us.  How can one appreciate the beauty of Spring without a COLD dormant winter?

As with all things in life, the pendulum must swing!  Thanks be to God.