Awkward!

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Though I did not watch the television presentation of the Academy Awards, I heard that there was an extremely awkward moment at the end of the program when a movie was announced as winning the year’s Best Picture award. The producers and others representing the film came to the stage to begin receiving their awards when it was announced that the wrong picture had been announced. It turned out that the winners were not really the winners. So… the (real) winners felt awkward. The losers who thought they were winners felt awkward. The producers of the television program felt awkward. And the audience felt awkward.

When I was in college I was responsible for doing a ten minute presentation in a chapel service. With about 1200 students and faculty watching, I had the lights dimmed and the audio recording started. When I went to advance the first slide – this was a literal slide in a tray of photos in a slide projector – nothing happened on the screen. I kept pushing  the button and nothing happened. A spotlight came on… on me… on the stage in the dark auditorium. As I kept pushing I’m sure the red flush on my face kept rising and the hotter I felt. It turned out that after my run through practice the night before no one had returned the slide tray to starting point. So the morning of my presentation it was loading nothing but blanks. What a mess! What a failure the whole thing was. People were very kind, but that event was a ten on the “awkward scale” for me. My experience proved that awkward situations typically move quickly to embarrassment and even shame.

Sarah and I had an awkward experience in the office a few weeks ago. We were taking delivery of a new photocopier/printer for the church office and receiving an orientation on how to use it. Unexpectedly, a representative of the company that serviced our previous copier showed up to pick up some left over supplies. We felt like the company that “lost” our business had received an “in your face” moment that we certainly did not want to give them. We believe we have made a good business decision, but that moment was pretty uncomfortable… and unexpected. But it’s one we could laugh at afterwards. As I can about my college experience.

Hopefully, the response of laughter can be at the end of most of our awkward situations. That will be unlikely if we take ourselves too seriously, however. Our pride can leave us mortified if we think we’ve been made to look bad – whether by someone else or by ourselves. Humor can be a great diffuser. As a pretty serious person, I have had a hard time learning that over my lifetime. At my ordination service one of my seminary professors told me, “Scott, don’t take yourself too seriously.” He knew me pretty well. The more seriously we take ourselves (in a prideful way), the harder it is on us to make a mistake and/or worry about looking bad. I think humble people are able to laugh at themselves without fear of looking bad, and thus they are much happier. The more serious we are, the tougher our experience of awkward moments. Of course, that doesn’t mean I favor inappropriate humor on sober occasions. As Solomon wrote, there is a time for everything, and there are people who use humor almost as a defense or as a way to avoid serious things.

God can redeem awkward moments. He does it often through our apologies and our forgiveness, as well as giving us eyes to see the humor in a situation when it is there. Perhaps He can even use them to aid us in learning humility. If so, even an awkward moment He can use for our good. Yahoo News reported the following story last November. It’s a great example of how something good can come out of an awkward situation…

Dialing the wrong phone number can be awkward, embarrassing, and sometimes downright frustrating. When a young man forgot to notify his grandmother of a change in his cell phone number before Thanksgiving, however, the result was touching. Wanda Dench texted a number that had originally been her grandson's, inviting him over for a Thanksgiving meal. Instead of her grandson, the text went to 17 year-old Jamal Hinton.  The two figured out the mistake quickly, but Hinton asked if it was possible to "still get a plate." In grandmotherly fashion, Dench responded, "Of course you can. That's what grandmas do." The story went viral online, perhaps as a hint of joy during such a bitter election season. When asked about the encounter after Thanksgiving, the young man said, "I'm thankful for all the nice people in the world. I never met her … and she welcomed me into her house, so that shows me how great of a person she is."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NIV) ¹  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: ²  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, ³  a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, ⁴  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,…

Romans 8:28 (NIV)  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

PRAYER:  Father, bring me to a place where I can find joy in you even in the awkward moments of life. Thank you that they do not keep you from working and, fact, are things through you can work in amazing ways. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

Putting Winter Away

John 14:1-3 (NIV) ¹  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ²  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Today I took in the shovels at my house and put them in the basement. I put the shovels in the church foyer down into the basement level of the building. Do you think that is a bit premature? Some people might think that’s a guaranteed way to insure that it will snow again. That sounds a bit superstitious to me. We have a certainty that Spring will come. We know there will be a day when we can be sure there will be no more snow. But we’re in that time when we cannot be absolutely certain. We are hopeful (I am hopeful, anyway) that no more snow will come and Spring will get underway (regardless of its official date).

The Word of God gives us a certainty that our Lord and Savior is going to return. His own words assure us. But He never gave His followers a date. There seem to be some signs given in the Scriptures, but generations before have thought they had seen the signs, yet Jesus did not return. Some, through the ages, have given up hope that Jesus will return. They wonder where the promise of His coming is. I, for one, am quite ready to put this world away now and see Jesus come in glory. But I am not in charge. And just like I won’t throw my shovels away – because my final Spring may not have come yet (I will put them away for another winter) – I will continue living for the Lord and seeking His will in this world here and now. I will keep my eyes open for His return, but His future return will not lead me to abandon all my responsibilities as His follower in this world. I long to be with Him just like I long for Spring. I’m ready to put away earthly struggles, aches and pains, and the battle with sin and its consequences in this life, just like I’m ready to put away my shovels… to put away winter.

I wonder if this is, in part, a factor of my age. When I was younger I wanted Jesus to wait a while longer before He returned. I had too much living I wanted to do. I still have living that I want to do, but I don’t cling to it like I did when I was younger. When I was younger I loved winter, too. I loved the snow. I have changed. Every year I am eager to put winter away… to put it behind me.

I pray the Lord will always instill in me an eagerness to put this world behind me so that my eyes might be on the glory that will accompany both His return and what follows. A song Andrae Crouch once wrote says, “Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King…” God’s Word encourages each of us to be ready for the return of our Lord. May the prospect of His coming give us joy and lead us to be faithful until that day. AMEN.

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

James 5:8 (NIV)  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

Matthew 24:44 (NIV)  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

2 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Titus 2:11-13 (NIV) ¹¹  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³  while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

2 Peter 3:9-10 (NIV) ⁹  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Revelation 22:20 (NIV)  He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for the peace that is mine because you never change. Guide me with confidence through any and all of the earthly changes I face, knowing that you are always working for my good. I love you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

A Home Without Light Switches

Malachi 3:4-6 (NIV) ⁴  and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. ⁵  "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty. ⁶  "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

I was listening to a radio program recently that was describing the “smart home”. You may live in one, or you may soon hear of more people “smartening up” their homes. Smart homes are homes in which there is digital control over anything that depends upon electricity – appliances, garage doors, gas fireplaces, TVs, stereos, security, and lights to name a few. Devices are being marketed that allow the user to simply speak and thus control any device. My son showed me how this worked last week when he demonstrated the use of Alexa, a product of Amazon.com. You speak to Alexa as if “she” was a person and you tell “her” to turn on the living room light and… voila… it comes on. No doubt you have seen “her” commercials on TV. When applied to an entire home, it’s a fascinating concept: everything controlled at the tip of your tongue (voice) or the tip of your fingers (computer) or the use of your smart phone. This radio program discussed a future where homes would not have/need light switches. Wouldn’t that be such a big change for most of us? When you spend your life flicking switches it becomes very unusual not to. I imagine myself reaching for switches on empty walls again and again, having forgotten to just say “lights on”.

My college friends and I used to laugh our heads off whenever we saw the commercial for the “Clapper”. Do you remember those ads? It was a nighttime device designed to control a light (usually in the bedroom) without having to get out of bed by clapping. You could “clap on” or “clap off”. While it was a handy device for certain people in certain circumstances, it just seemed to us to be an excuse for laziness for the average person. But in the years ahead, modern versions of the Clapper will only increase in a society highly devoted to and driven by technology. It will mean higher consumption of electricity (as more home features – plumbing fixtures for example – are electrified) and potential for more crime. The phrase “getting your house hacked” is already a part of modern lingo. Anything digital (controlled by computers) can be hacked. While I don’t see any particular reason someone would hack my refrigerator, the security into my home would be a dangerous target. A home network can serve as a “back door” (pardon the pun) into a computer system, with access to personal documents, financial systems, and anything digital in a person’s life. Yet the features of a smart home are fast becoming highly prized and sought after.

When you are older (like me) you often have a tendency to smile and be dismissive of change. You can think of many aspects of change as being foolish or unnecessary. When you are younger change is much more exciting. Innovation is embraced more readily. Now know those are arbitrary statements and that they are not true across the board. But I think – generally speaking – they are on target. Change, of course, is inevitable. But we know that we serve a God who does not change. He is immutable. We can trust Him to be the same tomorrow – and into the forever future – as He was in the (forever) past. This is a great comfort and encouragement, because He is a God who can be trusted. He is One who never fails. He will always be true to His character and person. He is not just good, for example, He is always good – because He does not change. I find in Him great comfort, because the change in my life (and over the course of my life) can be very stressful and can contribute to worry and fear. But I know that, because God never changes, I do not have to fear. His love for me, His watching over me, His care for me doesn’t ever stop or “go away”.

So, when you find yourself floundering or groping at the switchless walls of life in these changing times… when you are tempted to be afraid or worried when unexpected or unwanted change comes your way… turn your eyes upon Jesus, as the hymn says. “Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”. You will never go through any change without the Lord’s presence, guidance, and watch care. He is faithful.

Numbers 23:19 (NIV)  God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)  Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Psalm 90:2 (NIV)  Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

James 1:17 (NIV)  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

PRAYER:  Father, thank you for the peace that is mine because you never change. Guide me with confidence through any and all of the earthly changes I face, knowing that you are always working for my good. I love you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.”

Wants or Wills?

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) ¹¹  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

When I was a boy my parents always had a Sears catalog in the house. On many a cold winter day I would prop my feet up on the warm radiator in our kitchen, lift the heavy catalog into my lap, and longingly peruse the toy pages. This was long before Sears became an endangered species. Sears was probably the top, or one of the top retailers in the country at that time. That catalog was always at least two inches thick, and though it contained pages and pages of stuff I wasn’t interested in, there were lots devoted to kids’ stuff. And it was the toys and sports equipment that I came back to again and again. I remember my dad passing by me one day and casually asking a question, “Looking at the want book?” He probably never gave it another thought, but (obviously) that question stayed with me. I never thought of it being called that before.

The “want book”. That’s something that is pretty much obsolete today. Now it would be the “want sites” – websites with all the things money can buy and people might want. But it doesn’t matter what format it takes, the principle is the same: we want things. I want things. We are drawn to desire things. I think it’s pretty normal, and I don’t believe it is necessarily “wrong” to want something. The problem is whether or not that wanted thing is in any way in conflict with God’s purpose or plan for me (and for my money). For example, in my life right now I have a want for a particular house (with a specific street address) in South Carolina. I do not believe that it is wrong to want a house. I have never owned one because a parsonage of some sort has always been supplied to me in the churches where I have served. Over the years I have been saving and I hope to be able to buy a home someday. But it is not as simple as just wanting this house. For one thing, it is not for sale. For another thing, if it did go on the market, it might end up being with a price beyond what I could pay or should pay (or try to pay). It’s a modest home by MDI standards. But that’s not the point. While wanting something is not necessarily wrong, we all know it can become wrong if it is not tempered by, or surrendered to, the will of God. For example, if something bad had to happen to the current occupants of the house (who are unknown to me), I would NOT want the house. Or if purchasing the house was a step of bad judgment (risky or foolish in some way), I would not want the want to overtake the wisdom that would serve me better.

So what do I do? What do you or I do anytime we have a want of any kind? I pray. I surrender my want – whatever it may be - to God’s will. And as I walk with Christ I seek to do this with every single want that comes before my eyes or pops into my head. And the world surrounds me with a barrage of wants every day. Many of these are simply not attractive to me. But I am attracted to others. Of those, some are unrealistic, so I can fairly easily pass them by. But if I’m faced with something reachable, then I know that it has the power to take over my imagination and occupy my thought life for long stretches of time. How much easier and better it is just to pray, “Lord, I surrender this want to your will. May your will be done. And let me be happy in your will.” That is a prayer that God always responds to, because it puts Him first and trusts Him. Yet I don’t necessarily pray it easily. And I may need to convince myself that my heart is really with the Lord’s will before I will convince God. But I think He rejoices – and I know He is glorified – when my wants are surrendered to Him.

So I am learning to surrender my “wants” to His “wills” – to “unwant” what I want and to want His will. Because that is where the joy is: ultimate, deep, satisfying, restful joy. May I – and you – learn this more and more, until it becomes the natural bent of our hearts. Thank You, Lord.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) ⁶  But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Proverbs 15:16-17 (NIV) ¹⁶  Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. ¹⁷  Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Exodus 20:17 (NIV)  "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV) ³¹  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  

PRAYER:  Father, thy kingdom come, thy will be done. May it be so in my life, and in the lives of my children and grandchildren and all whom they love. And may you get much glory from me in and through what you provide, and what you withhold. And may nothing I have or don’t have rob me of joy in you, my Savior, Redeemer, and friend. AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

A Duffer's Hope

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) ⁸  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- ⁹  not by works, so that no one can boast.

Once there was a very rich man who owned vast amounts of land that offered the choicest settings of beauty and wonder. In one of these he decided to build a golf course. Not just any golf course. This would be the greatest golf course in the world – unrivaled in its beauty and design. It was fit for kings. When he had completed all the work, he decided that having a golf course didn’t have much meaning if there weren’t people to play on it. But this was not a course designed for hackers and duffers. It was so beautiful, however, that people everywhere at every skill level wanted to play on this course. So he created a membership plan. Anyone could become a member of his golf club – as long as they met certain conditions. These conditions meant that while membership was open to all, ultimately only those who “qualified” could join. His basic condition was this: the perfect golf course should only be available to the perfect golfer. And… his idea of perfection was not just being able to shoot some standard known as “par”. The perfect score was not 72. It was 18. Membership in his club was available to anyone who could score a hole-in-one on all 18 holes of his course. The people who could do that would be welcomed in to lifetime memberships with no charges for anything. All the golf, the balls, the best clubs,… all the food (the best food anyone had ever eaten)… everything was free to anyone who could meet this condition. Each person was allowed one round of golf on his course. They were allowed to keep playing as long as they were making holes-in-one.

Though it sounds foolish, many people actually tried. Very hard they tried. They practiced and practiced before their time came to face the rich man and his course. When they practiced they usually compared their scores with each other. And compared to each other, some of them did really well. Once in a while someone would shoot in the low 60’s and others would oooh and aahhh. Others would shoot in the 80’s and 90’s (and beyond) and people would laugh. Some were just awful. Many didn’t care, and some didn’t even bother playing, saying they were not interested in golf and golf courses. On the rich man’s course, most people were done after only one stroke. Occasionally someone might make it to the second hole, and in extremely rare cases to the third. But everyone fell short. Once in a while someone offered the rich man money if he would let them join. But, being the richest man in the world, he did not need any amount of money. He actually thought that such offers cheapened the glory of his course. It ended up that no one could become a member of his glorious golf club.

The rich man was disappointed in people. And he didn’t really want to be alone. So he came up with a plan. He could not let just anyone join because he could not and would not lower his standards. But if one person could ever get a perfect score, he could trade it with anyone and they could “get in”. But who could get a perfect score? Years and years went by, and no one could do it. Then one day, the man’s son came to take on the course. If he didn’t meet the man’s conditions, he wouldn’t be able to be with his father anymore. So it was a very serious decision. How would he be able to accomplish what no one else had ever been able to do? Where all others had fallen short, how could he expect to be perfect? Yet he was. One hole after another – no matter the distance or the hazards – he scored holes-in-one. His score added up, and in the end his card showed “18” after 18 holes. Unbelievable! Even more unbelievable, however, was that he began to offer to trade his score card with anyone else. They could take his score card with his signature as their own, present it to the rich man, and enter into membership. It did not matter how bad or good (in their own eyes) their own score card was. He would trade his for theirs.

Some people thought it was too good to be true, so they ignored the son’s offer. Others thought it was a trick or that the son hadn’t really gotten a perfect score. There were those who thought the rich man didn’t really mean what he said about allowing them in with a scorecard signed by his son. And then there were many who insisted on believing that somehow, some way, they had to score an 18 for themselves. But as hard as they worked at it, they never came close. Yet they tried to tell themselves that when they met the rich man they could present their best score and he would let them in. They learned the hard way that he would not. Only a scorecard signed by his son would be accepted. Because only perfection was accepted. And those who came to his son and got his scorecard… and gave up their own… and depended only on his perfect score… were accepted by the rich man and allowed into membership and all of its benefits. They were very happy.

Romans 3:23 (NIV)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:8 (NIV)  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)  All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

PRAYER:  Thank you, Father, for the great exchange: Christ’s righteousness for my unrighteousness… His perfection for my sin… His death for my life… His humanity for my eternity… His grace for my useless works. AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

Dear Lord...

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) ¹  I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- ²  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Dear Lord,

Today is an eventful day in the history of our country. Your Word says that Your eyes are everywhere, beholding both the evil and the good. Nothing has happened in this election campaign apart from Your knowledge. There is no candidate anywhere, at any level, who is unknown to You. There is no ballot initiative that is a secret from You. You know every voter… how s/he thinks and feels. Your knowledge is wonderful, yet it is also awe-ful, for we are accountable to You.

I ask for wisdom as I vote today. Help me to see and think clearly. I seek Your glory and I welcome Your will in my life and in my state and in my nation. Your Word says that You know the end from the beginning. Ours is a divided nation in so many ways. It is not unusual that we have differences, but our differences have reached the point of hostility, resentment, entrenchment, closed-mindedness, incivility, judgmentalism, condescension, hatred, intolerance, impatience, utter selfishness, blatant dishonesty, moral corruption, indifference to feelings, murderous thought, abandonment of You…

We have much to repent of. I repent of my own attitudes – those that are self-glorifying, self-serving, and not honoring to You. I repent of my harshness and cynicism. I care for my country and I do not want to lose hope for it. But ultimately my hope is in You alone. My government cannot save me. But I pray for my leaders and all those in authority. I pray that they will seek You, and that they will govern according to Your will and purposes in the world. I ask You to show mercy on them, for if they/we were to receive what they deserve, we would lose everything. Let them give up self and be truly disposed to serving, to listening, to compassion and grace, to peace, to kindness and gentleness, to forbearance, to goodness, and most of all, to humility. No matter who wins. No matter what office.

Let those who are not elected be gracious and humble. Let me respond to the election with confidence in You and the knowledge that Your sovereignty covers election days. Give me grace to set my eyes on things above, and not on earthly things. Earthly things are not ultimate. Only You are. Therefore I know I can trust You regardless of any of today’s outcomes. Therefore I will not fear. I will not be anxious or nervous or worried. The peace You have given me keeps my heart from being troubled.

As I vote today, O Lord, be glorified. Amen.

Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)  The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)  I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV) ⁴  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

PRAYER:  Lord, may the words of my mouth and in my tweets and on my Facebook page and any other means through which I communicate, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott

Unceasing Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) ¹⁶  Be joyful always; ¹⁷  pray continually; ¹⁸  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

About a year ago CNN (link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/10/28/man-cashes-pennies-hes-been-saving-45-years/74727160/  ) reported a story about Mr. Otha Anders, of Ruston, Louisiana. Mr. Anders spent 45 years bending down and collecting something most of us ignore—pennies. In October of 2015, the 73-year-old Anders, a supervisor for in-school suspended children, took them to his local bank—in 15 five-gallon jugs—and deposited a grand total of $5,136.14 worth of pennies into his account. The bank's coin machines took five hours to count the over 500,000 pennies.

But what's truly moving about this story isn't Anders' thriftiness; it's his thankfulness. Each new penny on the ground served as a prompt to give thanks to God. As Anders told reporters: “I became convinced that spotting a lost or dropped penny was an additional God-given incentive reminding me to always be thankful. There have been days where I failed to pray and more often than not, a lost or dropped penny would show up to remind me.”

Just think about that. Over a half a million prayers of thanksgiving to God in a lifetime. What a great idea to use a simple, small reminder to pray! I know what it’s like to go through a day so busily that I forget to pray or neglect time with the Lord. Making it a discipline helps. But having something in your life that you encounter frequently serve as a reminder to pray is such a creative and useful way think about the Lord and remember to pray. Yesterday, while on a walk, I started to pass over a penny on the street. I thought about Mr. Anders’ story and decided to make it a moment for giving thanks. A penny doesn’t make me much richer financially, but the reminder to give thanks to the Lord was of great value.

What is something you encounter regularly – even daily – that could serve you as a reminder to pray?

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (TLB) ¹  Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. ²  Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. ³  This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴  for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth:

2 Timothy 1:3 (NIV)  I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 (NIV) ⁹  How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? ¹⁰  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Isaiah 62:6-7 (NIV) ⁶  I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, ⁷  and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

PRAYER:  Lord, it is a good thing to give thanks to you. Thank you for prayer. Thank you that you are a listening God, who lets us pray and who responds to our prayers. Let your Holy Spirit aid me and lead me to prayer that is earnest and true and unceasing. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott