December 31
Four grandparents wait for the arrival of a granddaughter on the last day of the year.I’m sure this baby, three weeks overdue, will be here by years end for I had prayed for that and heard a clear ‘yes.’ Midnight—no baby!
The message had been so clear. Did I misunderstand? At 12:15 the new father reports baby is here. I ask when was she born? “At 11:45,” he says apologetically, “ I’ve been busy cleaning her up.”
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
Incredible true stories that touch the heart and tug at the soul. Are they chance or destiny, coincidence or fate? Do you have your own Go Figure story? Want to share it? E-mail us at gofigureamerica@yahoo.com
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Party Icebreaker
December 22
Many of us hadn’t met before so the hostess played a game to break the ice. Each of us was to say three things about ourselves, one of which was a lie. I said:
“I spent a day with poet Robert Frost; President George Bush Sr. greeted me in the White House;and “Tony Randall said he saved my life.”
Actually it was Barbara Bush who greeted me. The game is an exercise in how to deceive by twisting the truth. The master deceiver, Satan, does this all the time..
“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)
Many of us hadn’t met before so the hostess played a game to break the ice. Each of us was to say three things about ourselves, one of which was a lie. I said:
“I spent a day with poet Robert Frost; President George Bush Sr. greeted me in the White House;and “Tony Randall said he saved my life.”
Actually it was Barbara Bush who greeted me. The game is an exercise in how to deceive by twisting the truth. The master deceiver, Satan, does this all the time..
“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Speak Up for Christmas
Christmas Week
It is Christmas Eve and my wife and I are to give the “moment of sharing” at all four services at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Ct.
Joy has a bad case of laryngitis. We pray hard that she wiil have voice to honor God at the worship services.
At the 5:30 service she is barely audible. People are straining to hear her.
By the 7:30 service her voice is a little louder.Our prayers are being answered.
At the 9:30 service her voice is stronger. Thank you Lord.
At midnight she sounds like herself. I share with that congregation about the laryngitis and how the Lord has been answering our prayers all evening. There is applause for God.
Driving home Joy turns toward me to say something and her voice is gone. It doesn’t return to normal for two days.
"With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
It is Christmas Eve and my wife and I are to give the “moment of sharing” at all four services at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Ct.
Joy has a bad case of laryngitis. We pray hard that she wiil have voice to honor God at the worship services.
At the 5:30 service she is barely audible. People are straining to hear her.
By the 7:30 service her voice is a little louder.Our prayers are being answered.
At the 9:30 service her voice is stronger. Thank you Lord.
At midnight she sounds like herself. I share with that congregation about the laryngitis and how the Lord has been answering our prayers all evening. There is applause for God.
Driving home Joy turns toward me to say something and her voice is gone. It doesn’t return to normal for two days.
"With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Away from Fmily
Week of December 13
Being away at Christmas can be a lonely time. Growing up is New England Christmas to me was snow,pine trees, sleds and clear cold nights.
One December, courtesy of the US Army, I spent Christmas in the tropics. There were card board snowmen, artificial tress and lights in palm trees.It just didn't feel like Christmas for a guy who grew up in the Currier and Ives version.
One enterprising unit had a tank and a santa protruding from the turret and eight jeeps connected by ammo belts to the tank sleigh. This didn't help at all.
It was my first Christmas away from the family and I was a real funk. I took this depressed attitude into the base chapel Chritmas Eve. It was a candle light service with traditional carols being sung and familiar Chritmas story being read.
As I exited the chapel into a clear but warm tropical evening I was reminded that
the first Christmas was held in a desert.I looked up at the stars and there was
a particularly bright one overhead.
I got the message loud and clear."An angel said to them, behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord...And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glody to God in the highest
And peace on earth." (Luke 2:10
Robert M Salter
Sarasota, Fl.
Being away at Christmas can be a lonely time. Growing up is New England Christmas to me was snow,pine trees, sleds and clear cold nights.
One December, courtesy of the US Army, I spent Christmas in the tropics. There were card board snowmen, artificial tress and lights in palm trees.It just didn't feel like Christmas for a guy who grew up in the Currier and Ives version.
One enterprising unit had a tank and a santa protruding from the turret and eight jeeps connected by ammo belts to the tank sleigh. This didn't help at all.
It was my first Christmas away from the family and I was a real funk. I took this depressed attitude into the base chapel Chritmas Eve. It was a candle light service with traditional carols being sung and familiar Chritmas story being read.
As I exited the chapel into a clear but warm tropical evening I was reminded that
the first Christmas was held in a desert.I looked up at the stars and there was
a particularly bright one overhead.
I got the message loud and clear."An angel said to them, behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord...And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glody to God in the highest
And peace on earth." (Luke 2:10
Robert M Salter
Sarasota, Fl.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Christmas during war
Week of December 6
It is that time of year again when things seem to get a little overwhelming with decorations to display, cards to send, trees and weaths to buy or get down from the attic, presents to wrap and some to mail, lights to unangle and on it goes.
It can be a maddening time, a frustating time even a depressing time. My wife, who the Lord has blessed me with for this journey, sensing my struggle with the emotions of the season provided me with what today we would call a reality check.
I share it here if as you prepare for another Christmas.
She handed me a newspaper clipping with a picture and caption which she has kept in a plastic file folder for the past 18 years. The photo taken by Frank Folwell of USA Today shows a small boy with tight fitting clothes walking with his grandfather who has the scroniest Christmas tree you ever saw strapped on his shoulder.There is two feet between the four branches on this stick of a tree. Yet the expression on the boy's face is one of pure joy.
The caption reads in part; "Christmas Smiles:Despite tough times in Croatia as war raged around them, pure joy illuminaated the face of Dario Rahle as he and his grandfather trugged home with their 1991 Christmas tree."
May we all remember the real reason for the season and share the joy of Christmas despite any presonal circumstances or struggles. Peace on earth and good will to all.
It is that time of year again when things seem to get a little overwhelming with decorations to display, cards to send, trees and weaths to buy or get down from the attic, presents to wrap and some to mail, lights to unangle and on it goes.
It can be a maddening time, a frustating time even a depressing time. My wife, who the Lord has blessed me with for this journey, sensing my struggle with the emotions of the season provided me with what today we would call a reality check.
I share it here if as you prepare for another Christmas.
She handed me a newspaper clipping with a picture and caption which she has kept in a plastic file folder for the past 18 years. The photo taken by Frank Folwell of USA Today shows a small boy with tight fitting clothes walking with his grandfather who has the scroniest Christmas tree you ever saw strapped on his shoulder.There is two feet between the four branches on this stick of a tree. Yet the expression on the boy's face is one of pure joy.
The caption reads in part; "Christmas Smiles:Despite tough times in Croatia as war raged around them, pure joy illuminaated the face of Dario Rahle as he and his grandfather trugged home with their 1991 Christmas tree."
May we all remember the real reason for the season and share the joy of Christmas despite any presonal circumstances or struggles. Peace on earth and good will to all.