An Old Mercedes

March 30 from my journal

It is a 1975 Mercedes 230 gas-operated four-door sedan, dark green. I bought this motorcar from the original owner when it was 19 years old. It has now been eight years, a move to Florida, two weddings and 35,000 miles. I know I’m not being a good steward of my God-given resources pouring more money into this sedan. Am I becoming too attached to this car? I sell it and buy a used American-made van.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)

March Madness

March 29

Connecticut is facing the Duke Blue Devils, the heavy favorite, for the national college men’s basketball championship. My wife Joy, kneels next to the TV “ Lord we pray for a UConn win. We claim it.”

I think, “what will she think when UConn looses.” Oh you of so little faith.
The game is a thriller. In the last six seconds  Duke turns the ball over twice (explain that) and UConn wins, 74-71.
I only know of one person who had the faith to claim victory before the game.

“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

Richard Redfield

 March 28   from my journal

He was 80, a retired trust officer of a major bank, knew tons of people and was volunteering to help the foundation.He was a raconteur. One snowy day, he and one girl showed up at preschool. "That was my afternoon with Katherine Hepburn.”  He was fun, friendly and helped me at the foundation for six years. “God willing” he’d say  often.

'God Willing.' some day, I hope to become a Richard Redfield to someone else.
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness."
(Proverbs 16:31)

Army Rifle Range

 

March 27

 “Lieutenant " he said:” it is 0605. and the Captain says get your (bleep) out to the range the best way you can.” I went to the pit area and found the field sergeant had everything under control. Thank God for sergeants. At noon the Captain with arms folded addressed all officers. “The first round was to go off at 0800." Pointing a finger at me he says, "The only one ready at 0800 was our pit officer." 

My life commander tells me to be ready. I don’t want to be sleeping when He comes again. Are you ready?

 

"Be ready, for the son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

(Matthew 24:44)

Qualifty Guy

March 25

When Michael Jordan retired from basketball he came to spring training with the White Sox in Sarasota. Don, an ex-Nike rep and Michael play golf. No press. At one green a small boy with a pad stands with an old man. Michael signs it. "Now you can tell your schoolmates that you saw Michael Jordan," The man says "My grandson is blind."  Michael drops to his knees, and with the boy's hands in his, runs them over his face. "Now you can say you felt my face and it is ugly."

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as (a) little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

Bumperstickology

 

March 22

It is right there on the bumper of the vehicle, clever pithy one or two liners to convey a message. These caught my eye.

 If God is your co-pilot, switch seats.

Faith or Fear Take your Choice.
God answers knee mail
Kindness is a language, All can understand

“ I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

A Box of Crayons

March 21

“How did you two meet?” He replied, “Oh it wasn’t a big deal.” He then proceeded to give a factual, albeit dry, account. His wife was crushed but kept silent. She prayed and went shopping and saw her answer. Later she said, “Dear could you add a little color telling how we met? I don’t expect this much,” she said, holding up a large box of crayons, “this much,” handing him a little box. At another dinner his wife beamed as her husband described their meeting using the large crayons.

 

"And now abide faith, hope ,love, these three: but the greatest of these is love"(1Corinthians 13:13)

A Daughters Forgiveness

March 20

“God answered my every prayer,” Joy said excitedly on moving her dad to the Soldiers Home, “He even made a new friend and guess what his name is? Steward Kindness. Imagine that.”

You would never know that her dad had walked out of her life when she was barely a teenager. Now she was a loving daughter and his primary health advocate. As an adult Christian she had asked God to help her forgive him. God heals a willing heart.            

“Ask and you will receive,that your Joy may be full." (Psalm 55:22)

A Daughter's Forgiveness

 

 March 20

“God answered my every prayer,” Joy said excitedly on moving her dad to the Soldiers Home, “He even made a new friend and guess what, his name is?" Steward Kindness. "Imagine that.”

You would never know that her dad had walked out of her life when she was barely a teenager. Now she was a loving daughter and his primary health advocate. As an adult Christian she had asked God to help her forgive him. God heals a willing heart.            

 “Ask and you will receive That your Joy may be full.”(Psalm 55:22)

Four Critical Decisions

March 18

 

“What four decisions, if you made and implemented them, would most profoundly change your life?” I list:

1. Listen and be obedient to God

2. Enter into prayer covenants

3. Give God an hour everyday to pray, read the Bible and write (God’s Way)

4. Keep physically fit by exercising daily

With the Lord’s help I will implement these decisions. What four decisions would most profoundly change your life?

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

In His Time

 March 15 from my journal          

This morning Joy is up and preparing to go to Tampa to fly to Connecticut. She is going on a three-day winter retreat with twelve other women. .

The phone rings. It is the Soldier's Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts. They have a bed for her dad, Walter. He has been on the waiting list for a year.  "God is great, perfect timing,” Joy marvels. She had planned to stay over Tuesday after the retreat and visit her dad. Now she can move him into the Soldiers Home.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."  (James 1:17)

Fallen Heroes

March 14

 

 How often man falls from lofty heights. Names that jump quickly to mind are: Jimmy Baker, President Clinton, Tonya Harding, Charles Keating, President Nixon, O.J. Simpson, Martha Stewart, Tiger Woods, and Mike Tyson. How about Arthur Anderson, Enron and World Com. It is all so sad.

Such falls can and do happen to all of us. We are just not as visible. We have been warned. When will we learn?

"How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (Proverbs16:16)

The Elephant is Gone

          

 

March 13    from my journal

Today the doctor calls reporting negative readings from her mammograms. Joy says “the elephant sitting on my chest is gone.”

At one point in my life I had such restriction in one arm that I couldn't get into a coat by myself.  The numbness began happening to my leg and when I stood up I couldn't move for several seconds. X-rays and an exam detected no physical problems.  All these problems, which I experienced first hand, went away when I reduced the stress in my life.

"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"  (Matthew 6:27)

Buying a Pre-owned car

 

March 12        from my journal

The prospect of owning a newer car is exciting but I don't look forward to the haggling over the price. It is awkward. It’s embarrassing. It’s stressful. I know that moment is coming. How much do I offer?   The sales person is going to try to out-maneuver me then he has to check with somebody in another office. I wait. When a deal is done why do I wonder if I could have bought it for less? Then I drive home and don't I tell the first person that admires the car, how little I paid.

 "It is good for nothing cries the buyer. But when he had gone his way he boasts."

(Proverbs 20:14)

Air Raid Drill

 

March 11

 

When I was in elementary school we had  air raid drills. We would march by twos down the street to the brick library. One day our principal announced  the possibility of a real air raid, not a drill. We were sent home immediately. Kids ran down the sidewalk screaming. Somebody yelled, "I hear a plane," I hit the ground. 

As a child I had misplaced fears and so did my principal that day. As an adult I have fears but this time I’m placing them in the right hands.

 

 “But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33)

Quotes to Ponder

March 8

 "God Loves every one of us as if there is but one to love." (St. Augustine)

 "God makes Himself known through the hungry, the homeless and the unloved."

(Mother Theresa)

"If you are going through a time of discouragement there is a big personal enlargement ahead." (Oswald Chambers)

"God has a plan for each of us and what we want or ask for may not fit into the plan."(Albert Einstein)

“Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man.(Ecclesiastes 10:13)

Ballard

 

March 7

He was in his mid-forties when he became the rector of the Episcopal Church that I  attended. He was a teddy bear, large, gentle and comforting. He baptized two of my children, buried one and married one. Ministers tend to do that over time. He boarded up my house when a truck plowed through it and urged me to do more with my life when I was comfortable. We cried, laughed, and prayed together. He listened, praised and prodded and when it was time for me to move on he helped me leave. Ballard was one of my God-sent friends.

 "A real friend sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)

Fear of Flying

March 6                     from my journal

Joy shares with our small group her fears about flying. She is seated next to a woman who teaches religion at a college.

Joy asks, “Why is your seat going back and forth? I don’t think playing with your seat is a good idea in this turbulence.”

The lady smiles, “ Maybe if you weren’t gripping my arm rest so tightly and the seat button, I wouldn’t be moving.”

By talking about it and getting on that plane is her action step of faith, Joy is mastering her fear rather than letting fear master her. What fears must we confront?

 

“Give all your worries to God for He cares what happens to you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

A Saturday in SanFrancisco+

      

 

March 5

 

It is Saturday afternoon in San Francisco. My consulting project is over and I am heading to a restaurant when I come upon a pornography shop with plenty of luring signage. It would have been easy to walk in, nobody will know. But I will know and God will know!

 

I remember what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tempted him. He ran.

I do likewise. I recall Joseph’s  words to that lustful woman.

 

 "How can I do this wickedness, and sin against my God." (Genesis 39:9